Javier, my Spanish oral communication professor, is the king of trivia. Over 6 ft tall and with a well-kept dark beard, he towers over the four of us in class. Like most of my Spanish professors, he's inexplicably enthusiastic and passionate about everything he talks about. After every class, even on a Monday morning, we walk out cheerful and with a handful of facts.
The week before our program headed to Barcelona for an excursion, Javier took a detour in class to explain some occasional Spanish superstitions and quirks.
- First off, Mondays, not Fridays, that were the 13th of the month were unlucky. One is advised not to board a ship, get married, or start a job on the 13th. (Martes 13 - Ni te cases, ni the embarques.)
- Some people think it's bad luck for a woman to put her purse on the floor. "Money will fly away on the floor."
- A black cat crossing in front of you is unlucky if it is from right to left.
- If you feel like you are having a bad day, you say you, "woke up on the left foot."
- To be left-handed is called zurdo or siniestro, which is like "sinister," because "the devil is in the left hand."
- In extreme cases, yellow can represent the devil. So don't buy yellow clothes for a gift for a newborn baby.
- Salt shakers should not be passed hand to hand at the table. One should put it down for the other to pick up. According to Javier, centuries ago some people were paid in salt so it was very precious.
- While sweeping the floor, if the broom hits someone's foot, they will never get married.
We all immediately picked up our bags from the floor and I took off my yellow bracelet. As if we didn't already feel lucky enough to be in Spain, but one step closer to being Madrileñas