Do you do things just because your Mum did?

paddy's_mum

daisiegg wrote: »

Why would you not bath or wash hair during a period? I don't get it!

It's to do with the fear of women that men, historically, have felt.

It amounts to 'If we can subjugate the women by declaring them unclean and unhealthy during menstruation, we can keep them as second class citizens instead of honouring them for their role as the bringers of life.'

It also conveniently masks the realities behind the historic tradition of keeping women constantly, and dangerously, pregnant by brain washing them into believing that not being pregnant is somehow repugnant to God.

A menstruating woman, washing in her own bowl of water, is no more unclean than a sweaty, dirty, hard-working man doing just the same to keep himself clean and healthy.

You don't believe me...? Go look at the bible passages Leviticus 15; 19 - 30; Ezekial 18; among many, many others.

What's sad is that this narrow minded attitude does, apparently, still continue today - that's why I find myself unable to respect any race, regime, religion or culture that denies itself the abilities of the female half of its population.

fluffig

So many of the above ! Just like mum I peel mushrooms, cut crosses in sprouts, clean the house before I go on holiday, smash the egg shells so the witches can't sail away in them, cover up mirrors and knives in a thunderstorm.

I was also told to touch my collar whenever a hearse goes by. I still do it !

Oh and just like a previous poster, my dear old mum will often say, would you like to stay for tea ? I've a tin of salmon I can open. Bless.

Notsosharp

fluffig wrote: »

smash the egg shells so the witches can't sail away in them, cover up mirrors and knives in a thunderstorm.

Surely you would want a witch to sail away though?

And why do you have to cover up knives and mirrors in a thunderstorm?

Turtle

There's loads of things I do, none of them are because my mum did / does them. I've never peeled or washed a mushroom in my life and often break the stalk off and eat it separately cos I like them. I also prefer them raw and don't really care if they've still got a bit of compost on them.

I remember my mum did try to tell me that you couldn't use tampons until you'd had a baby. I told her in no uncertain terms that was complete rubbish, I think she thought I was going to die.

ciderwithrosie_2

cherub1965 wrote: »

Mum always smashes eggshells before she puts them in the bin 'so the witches cant use them as boats' or something.

My mum always told us this too, when we'd had boiled eggs we had to break the shells up with the spoon.

fizzytrinket

mighty_mondo wrote: »

brill thread btw! loving it

i do things my mother did but they are more superstitions though so a wee bit off topic -

never put new shoes on a table
don't open an umberella indoors
never ever EVER cut your nails on a sunday!

the last one has had such an impact on me i wont let my wife cut her nails or the baby's even if its needed lol

same as my mum. welsh?

busiscoming2

Notsosharp wrote: »

I never peel my mushrooms OR wash them.....and I eat the leg.

Does that mean I'm going to die?

Me too! We've been eating dirt for years! Never wash any veg - can't be bothered!

scottishchick27

Faerie wrote: »

I also spring clean the house and change the bedding before we go on holiday so that it's nice to come back to.

I peel mushrooms too, I thought that was a normal thing to do?!

Like mishmogs, my mum and her parents do the tradition of letting someone with dark hair out through the back door and in through the front on new years day. They have to bring coal, bread and money for luck for the new year. My siblings were allowed to do it but I wasn't cos I have ginger hair My nanna throws my grandad out of their flat at just before midnight and then he has to press the intercom to be let back in after the bells have rung midnight! Poor man hates doing it!

I also salute magpies for luck like my mum does. If a magpie is alone you have to salute it and say "Good morning/afternoon Mr Magpie and how's your wife?" My boyfriend thinks it's hilarious, I never thought it was strange until he pointed it out. I do it when I'm alone too, I just do a small salute with 1 finger and mutter it under my breath

We let my DD stay up at Hogmanay last year and after the bells she put on a black wig, went out the back door and chapped on the front door. Our parents and grandparents were tickled pink with this and DD was chuffed to bits

lollipop80

fluffig wrote: »

I was also told to touch my collar whenever a hearse goes by. I still do it !

I was taught by my mum that should always touch black when you seen a hearse go by. If i'm not wearing any black when they go by I will find anything nearby that I can touch. No idea why.

I salute a magpie if it is on its own with 'Good morning/ Afternoon mr Magpie'. Was told this was because if the magpie was on it's own then it's partner must be dead/ ill.

And to add the mushroom debate. I have never peeled a mushroom, and cannot figure out how you would do it without taking half the mushroom with it. Next time I'm using mushrooms i'll give it a go though. I just give it a quick rinse and chop it all up, no need to throw any of it away.

MrsE_2

mintymoneysaver wrote: »

Make sure my house is spotless before I go on holday, so I have a clean house to come back to.

I do that to :-)