一位专栏作者近日发表评论，批评自己长期以来对各种迷信习俗的执着，认为这些做法大多缺乏科学依据。[1]这位作者在悉尼鱼市场遭遇鸟粪击中后，触发了对成长过程中所接触迷信的反思。[1]他提到，当这类不幸事件发生时，人们往往会用"它会带来好运"这样的说法作为安慰。[1]
作者在成长于1970年代的环境中，接触了许多常见的迷信习俗。[1]他提到需要敲木头来抵消说出积极言论可能招来的厄运，这种做法在当时是很普遍的。[1]他还回忆了圣诞布丁中烤入银六便士硬币以带来好运的传统，尽管这种做法存在安全隐患，可能导致儿童气管堵塞。[1]拆鸡的许愿骨、避免黑猫等习俗也都在他的成长中出现过。[1]
尽管作者认为大多数迷信毫无意义且浪费时间，但他并未完全摒弃所有习俗。[1]他仍然保留了避免在梯子下行走和将鞋子放在桌子上这两个习俗。[1]
An opinion piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald challenges the value of long-held superstitious practices that have shaped many people's daily lives.[1]
The author recounts a personal anecdote involving an encounter with bird droppings at Sydney Fish Market, which prompted the familiar reassurance that "they say it brings good luck."[1] This incident prompted reflection on the various superstitions encountered during childhood in the 1970s, when homes were constructed from materials like fiberboard, brown felt, and orange Masonite.[1] Among these practices were the need to knock on wood to counteract the risks of speaking optimistic statements aloud, and the tradition of baking silver sixpence coins into Christmas puddings for good fortune—a custom that posed potential choking hazards for children.[1] The author also describes the ritual of breaking a wishbone while eating chicken.[1]
While concluding that most superstitions lack any meaningful basis and waste time, the author acknowledges retaining a handful of habits, specifically avoiding walking under ladders and placing shoes on tables.[1]