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Superstitions
By Natalia Kamenskaya
 Ukrainians believe in some superstitions and omens. Everyone knows these omens and jokes about them, but avoids breaking them all the same. Ukrainians' religious views (especially in areas where Orthodoxy dominates) have elements of mysticism and uncertainty.
Some rules to remember in Ukraine include:
- a traveler who turns back at the outset will never complete his journey (if you have to return for something, look in a mirror and smile or stick your tongue out before leaving again);
- you could not give a birthday present or celebrate before the birthdays, that it is bad luck;
- do not give scarves and handkerchiefs as a gift (they cause a quarrel unless paid for);
- don't kiss or shake hands across the threshold of a door when saying goodbye;
- always give an odd number of flowers, even numbers are for the dead;
- it's considered bad luck to leave an empty bottle on the table - put it on the floor;
- don't give anybody a knife as a gift, it's considered extremely bad luck (if you must give a sharp object as a gift ask for a coin in return);
- if you are giving a wallet as a present, always put a coin there (or the person will be short of money);
- do not whistle inside or you will whistle away your money;
- never light a cigarette from a candle or it will bring you bad luck;
- never pour wine back-handed, it means you will also pour away your money (it is also impolite);
- black cats crossing your path are bad luck;
- women should not sit on the corner of a table lest they wind up single for the next seven years;
- if you spill salt at the table you will be plagued by bad luck unless you throw three pinches over your left shoulder immediately;
- if someone gives good wishes, or you talk about your good fortune, you must spit three times over your left shoulder and knock on wood to keep your good fortune;
- if you leave something behind in Ukraine, it means you are coming back;
- before leaving on a long trip, sit quietly for a minute;
- it is not good to show your newborn baby to a stranger until it is at least 40 days old;
- do not start anything new on a Friday or get your hair cut when a family member is ill or in danger;
- it's unlucky to be born or married in May;
- a pregnant woman should not cut her hair or she will cut her baby mind;
- babies shouldn't have their fingernails or hair cut before one year of age.
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