Around us exist many assertions that lack scientific basis, yet have been accepted by people for centuries. Examples of such beliefs include considering it inauspicious when a migratory bird crosses one's path, or avoiding whistling inside the house. Such notions are common not only in India but also in many other countries worldwide, causing surprise. Some people fear sleeping with a fan running, while in other cultures, chewing gum at night is considered to bring misfortune. Some of these unusual superstitions are presented below.
In South Korea, there is an old belief that sleeping with a running fan in the room can lead to a person's death. Although there is no scientific evidence for this, some people prefer to turn off the fan while sleeping. Moreover, some electric models are equipped with a timer so they automatically switch off after a certain period. However, from a scientific point of view, considering a fan the cause of death is incorrect.
In Turkey, there is also a strange old superstition concerning chewing gum. According to this tradition, if you chew gum at night, it turns into the flesh of a dead person. Despite the frightening nature of this claim, it has no scientific basis, being merely a local folk legend.
In Rwanda, there is an old tradition that women who consume beef may start growing beards on their faces. In some places, it was also claimed that this makes women more stubborn. Rwandan folklore held that consuming ram meat could cause hair or beard growth on a woman's face, and in certain regions, it was believed that this led to unnecessary stubbornness or aggression, which was disapproved of by society.
In Japan, there is a belief related to the thumb: when passing a cemetery, it should be hidden between the other fingers of the hand to protect one's parents. Japan also has a special attitude towards chopsticks: leaving them vertically in a bowl of rice during a meal is considered bad luck, as this manner is associated with Japanese burial traditions, so people try to avoid it.
In Lithuania, there is an old tradition prohibiting whistling inside the house. It is believed that whistling in a dwelling can attract evil spirits, so some people refrain from this action, although there is no scientific confirmation of this.
In Russia, there is an interesting superstition regarding yellow flowers. Some people believe that giving yellow flowers to a close person or partner can signal infidelity in a relationship. Because of this, some avoid giving yellow flowers at holidays related to love or relationships, although this is not the opinion of all Russians, but rather an old belief.
In the Netherlands, there is a belief that lending salt to neighbors is undesirable. Furthermore, there is a strange notion about singing while eating: it is said to be akin to singing for the devil, so some people avoid this behavior.
In Germany, a toast using water is considered unusual. Usually, people clink glasses during celebrations, but in German tradition, a toast with water is not welcomed. It is claimed that if you make a toast with water, it may be perceived as wishing death upon the interlocutor, so those who believe this avoid such a toast.
In China, there is a specific fear of the number four. This is due to the phonetic similarity between the number four and the Chinese word for 'death'. Therefore, many people consider the number four unlucky, and in some places try to avoid the number four in floors or room numbering of buildings.
These examples demonstrate that superstitions and old beliefs exist in various forms in different parts of the world. Somewhere people fear fans, somewhere they consider certain numbers unlucky, and somewhere people avoid performing certain actions. However, it is important to remember that these beliefs cannot be taken as scientific truth; they are primarily cultural traditions and folk beliefs passed down from generation to generation. To consider something true from a scientific point of view, substantial evidence is required.