Supernatural

One of the most interesting topics we focused on in sociology this week was culture shock. Feeling disoriented, or out of place, in a new cultural environment is described as culture shock. My previous post about my confusion of the "black-hole" washing machines in England would serve the best example of complete and utter confusion of culture shock; however, a more cultural-difference type of example came to mind.

My family originally came to America from Russia and experiencing a culture shock, on any level, was inevitable. Growing up on the borderline of American and Russian culture, I have come to notice certain cultural differences. The most captivating and unique difference that I've recognized are the types of superstitions present in each culture.

Russians are known to be quite superstitious. If you leave the house to later realize that you've forgotten something, it's considered bad luck to return for the item. Or if you've returned for the item, you mustn't dare look at your reflection in the mirror. Whistling inside the house or opening up your umbrella inside the house is a taboo, and if you're afraid to stir the negative energies in the universe and jinx yourself, you must spit across your shoulder three times. And there are many, many more.

Though Russians seem to take their superstitions seriously, the American superstitions that I can recall have been introduced to me, by my friends when we were kids, as we tried to scare each other with supernatural stories. For instance, you must lift your feet in any moving vehicle when going over train tracks or under a bridge. Holding your breath or touching something red when passing a graveyard will save you from the frightening supernatural energies of the universe.

The only common superstitions I could muster up are that to not jinx anything you must knock on wood, and if a black cat crosses the street before you--you better turn around and find a new path.

Although some may find superstitions to be humorous or absurd, all cultures commonly contain superstitions or rituals in hope to scare off the spooky supernatural energies. Being in a different cultural environment and encountering someone doing a ''supernatural ritual'' may definitely leave you culture-shocked; not only because the individual's actions may seem completely out of the ordinary without any warning, but because it's interesting to encounter cultures that have very different superstitions  We often leave superstitions for the gullible, but more often we find ourselves obeying them simply because we know deep down we don't want to disturb the cosmic demons.