Sweden's top nine spooky superstitions
Published: 13 Jul 12 15:11 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/42014/20120713/
As another Friday the 13th is upon us, The Local takes a look at the top nine superstitions that Swedes swear by.
- Annual cycling event takes dramatic turn (15 Jun 13)
- Game of Thrones: how it's based on Sweden (12 Jun 13)
- Sweden clamps down on venture capitalists (11 Jun 13)
However, the superstitions aren't just about good fortune and pillowcase pollen...
Click here for The Local’s List of the top nine superstitions in Sweden
Indeed, Swedes have their own superstitions that are sometimes fiercely respected.
For example, do you know why you might see a Swede spitting three times on the street? Or what they're muttering as they knock on wood?
With 2012 holding the most Friday the 13ths in one year for the past 30 years, we figured there was no better time to give you the lowdown.
Beware... and good luck!
External link: Click here for The Local's list »
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Extreme-right sites beat political party pages
Far-right websites in Sweden are receiving so much traffic they were seven times more popular than the established political parties' online portals. READ () »
Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish
For some foreigners living in Sweden, a natural "inner Swede" can develop that often doesn't show its face until you're back home again. The Local's Patrick Reilly lists the top ten ways this inner-Swede can change your life. READ () »
Sweden to sell 'risky' 5.7-percent stake in Nordea
The Swedish government announced on Tuesday that it would be selling off up to 5.7 percent of its stake in Nordic banking giant Nordea, reducing its holding to 7.8 percent. READ () »
Assange is the UK's problem: lawyer
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is prepared to spend another five years inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London, but one Swedish lawyer said on Tuesday that the decision would not affect the Swedish case. READ () »
Male nurse dons dress in shorts shortage rage
A male Swedish nurse has donned a dress to protest the lack of shorts at a hospital in southern Sweden, saying he had to fight the small battles for gender equality in the workplace. READ () »
Transport chaos threatens Midsummer
A public transport strike appears likely to kick off on Wednesday night after unions and state-transport heads failed to agree on workers' pay and conditions after three days of discussions. READ () »
Puppy smuggling shows no signs of abating
Almost 2,000 puppies are smuggled illegally to Sweden every year, new statistics reveal, putting Sweden at risk of rabies while endangering the life and health of the trendy dogs. READ () »
Train driver slams beggar on loudspeaker
A Swedish train driver has been criticized for using the loudspeaker to warn passengers about a beggar on board a Stockholm commuter train, and encouraging them to save their money and rip up the beggar's papers. READ () »
- 12/06 Game of Thrones: how it's based on Sweden »
- 11/06 Swedish fitness trend makes Londoners sweat »
- 08/06 Princess Madeleine's royal wedding: Live Blog »
- 07/06 'Swedes don't generally have great music taste' »
- 07/06 Swedish expats use book club to survive London »
- 06/06 Madeleine: A private princess in the spotlight »
- 05/06 The Local's Swedish royal wedding guide »
- 05/06 The ten best things about Sweden revealed »
- 30/05 US baseball players look to create a field of dreams in Gothenburg »
- 29/05 Top ten reasons why Swedes are so happy »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 18/06 Why France needs a total ban on smacking kids »
- 18/06 Concerns mount as Lourdes flood waters rise »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
- 18/06 American tourist dies in Arctic cruise mishap »
- 18/06 Norwegian apologizes for long-haul flight service »
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 18/06 Basel striker bound for German transfer: reports »
- 18/06 Students trash Zurich high school in 'prank' »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
- Goodyear Dunlop Tires Nordic - Head of Business Control
- CPL Ireland - Swedish Collections
- CPL Ireland - Swedish or Danish
- Interaction Recruitment - Swedish
- MGI Recruitment - Swedish Inside Sales
- Projob NL - Swedish and English
- Projob NL - Swedish and English
- RECA Young Professional Program/Trainee
- SITS i Göteborg söker Danslärare
- SITS i Oslo söker Lärare (även
This weeks results..week 24/25 »
"A weekend full of surprises and LFC football. Results look like this: Div 5 Men won 4-2, K1 lost 5-0, K2 won 2-1, Vets lost 3-2, R1 lost 4-1. Korpen Ladies play Monday night and on the 26th the Div5 Men close the first half season with the last match before the summer kicks in. /LFC " READ »
- 05/6 13:52 The Golden Thread (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 29/5 09:11 IKEA UK: Swedish furniture giant stomps gnomes. (Boston Blatte)
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- Goodyear Dunlop Tires Nordic - Head of Business Control
- CPL Ireland - Swedish Collections
- CPL Ireland - Swedish or Danish
- Interaction Recruitment - Swedish
- MGI Recruitment - Swedish Inside Sales
- Projob NL - Swedish and English
- Projob NL - Swedish and English
- RECA Young Professional Program/Trainee
- SITS i Göteborg söker Danslärare
- SITS i Oslo söker Lärare (även
- 07:19 Campervan in -30?
- 05:08 Prospects of a medical residency in Sweden
- 02:03 Wedding Dress WANTED!
- 22:50 Planning on moving to Sweden from USA
- 22:46 Was it you I saw in Stockholm?
- 21:53 Swedish health care system
- 19:27 Is Edward Snowden Victim Of Chinese Honey-Trap?
- 17:49 Help with visas!
- 16:58 Study to be a Primary School Teacher
- 15:59 Sweden vehicle emissions laws?
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
Are those top 9 really Swedish superstitions? Black Cats; well no back in my native England black cats (crossing in front of you as you walk) are considered unlucky. Sneezing; that too is an old English one. Back there they say "bless you". The urban legend is it was to ward off the plague the Black Death, except sneezing isn't one of the symptoms.
Knock on wood, Walking under ladders, Crack in the path. The English have those stupidities too. There is /some/ sense to the walking under ladders one because anyone on the ladder could inadvertently drop something on your head.
Spilling Salt, Umbrella opening in doors. And it's the same with these two. The English follow these stupid superstitions as well. For salt they throw a pinch of the split crystals over the left shoulder supposedly into the eye of the devil. The umbrella on might possibly be another one originating from safety; opening one in doors could endanger someone elses eye --- but that also goes for outside too. These days I'm wary of Rhianna singing Umbrella, brella, ella, ah, ah ah. And so should we all.
Bed bugs are alluded to in the English farewell statement of "don't let the bed bugs bite". Again more a practical one. No one wants to sleep in a bed with bugs in it.
Um, maybe, well no, possibly, could be ... actually no. Superstitions are banal and stupid; the sooner we all Swedes and English or whatever nationality we are or came from get over them the better and simpler will be our lives.