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While Italian superstitions aren\'t any crazier than any other country\'s, but they are interesting for someone who didn\'t grow up with them. We\'re talking with Rick Zullo today who wrote about a lot of these on his blog which talks about his expat experiences throughout Italy.
\\nThe evil eye. The bane of many an Italian when someone looks at you in an envious manner they can give you the evil eye, even unintentionally. You could be struck with all kinds of sicknesses, most of which include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. The only cure is to search out an Italian grandma who has inherited a talent to rid you of this curse.
\\nI have heard that the mirror represents the soul, so breaking means you\'ll loose part of your soul thus have 7 years of bad luck. Are you covering/mourning the passing of your loved one\'s soul by covering the mirrors? Who knows. Maybe people just didn\'t want to see themselves when grieving.
\\nEvery time a hearse goes by, a man must grab his balls or be the next to ride in the hearse.
\\nWhen moving into a new home, you must sweep out all the corners to get rid of any evil spirits that might be lurking around. This is probably a good idea as it also gets ride of any lingering dirt and dust.
\\nBread represents Jesus, so you can\'t just throw it away. You have to kiss it good-bye. I\'m not sure why this makes it any better that you\'re throwing it away, but you have to do it.
\\nThis is a "fond" memory for Paul, as when he was growing up in a household full of women he would always jump in to help with the chores and be shooed away immediately if they were making the bed as he was the youngest. Maybe that\'s why he doesn\'t make beds to this day?
\\nShowering them with fortune. Seems a pretty straight-forward one. After all, they end up with some money right away.
\\nSame goes for this one, though I\'m wondering if you are supposed to do both or just one.
\\nSalt was a very important product, used not to flavor food but preserve it, so you didn\'t want any to go to waste. If you do spill it, throw it over your left shoulder so you can blind the devil who is bringing you the bad luck.
\\nAnyone know the origin of this one? I couldn\'t find anything. Just curious how this one developed.
\\nThis was a new one for Paul and I. Interesting one to say the least.
\\nVery different than in America, but as Paul points out, they accommodate both superstitions in Italy, where something you won\'t find both a 13th floor or a 17th floor in a building.
\\nIt essentially means you want the person you are pouring the wine for to choke to death. It goes back to the time of poison rings where it was much easier obviously to pour the poison from your ring into someone\'s glass when pouring this way.
\\nDo you know any we missed? Let us know in the comments.
\\nSorry, couldn\'t resist putting this up:
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\\nWe\'d like to thank Rick again for joining us. You can find him at http://rickzullo.com/
\\nAnd here are just a few of the books he\'s written: Live like an Italian, Eat like an Italian, Talk like an Italian
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