All of a sudden I found myself thinking sociologically when we were watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" in class a few days ago. When Tula's mom spits on her grandsons head, Ean asks why she does that. Tula responds that it is for good luck and to keep the devil away. It reminded me of how some cultures, like mine, have similar things like that, except without the spitting. I know that in some parts of Mexico, it is very popular that a child, especially a newborn, to wear a "deer's eye" necklace or bracelet. As weird as it sounds, it's true. Not in all cases is the deer's eye real, but if the parents are really supersticious, then the child will definetely have a real deer's eye... eww! As far as I know, my family doesn't believe in that and has not used it. Even if my family did believe in it, just the thought of wearing a deer's eye gives me the creeps! ;)
The whole deer's eye and spitting on heads seems kind of odd in American culture(Culture Shock), but wouldn't other cultures think that American superstitions are just as weird? Think about how others would react if they saw an American throwing salt off their left side of their shoulder, or carrying a rabbits leg? What's so different between carrying a rabbit's leg and a deer's eye, they're both animal parts aren't they? (Personally I still wouldn't wear neither of those.) These superstitions would be culture universals because they're still superstitions that people have but only different ways to keep superstitions away.
I've gotta say the deer eye thing gave me the creeps too...a definate case of culture shock for me! Interesting perspective thinking of comparing it to the rabbits foot...
ReplyDeleteIs a deer eye good luck because I have one I don't know what it' means
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