If there’s one thing anyone should know about Latino culture it is that everyone has their superstitions. It’s practically drilled into children’s heads and it’s passed down from generation to generation.
Now I wouldn’t say I’m very superstitious, but I do have my fair share of beliefs, and so does my family. My best friend’s mom, however, is heavily superstitious, and I was surprised when she asked me to join in.
Honestly, it’s adorable she asked me to part take in something that will give me positive energy. 12 months of good luck? I’m all in. But, sometimes superstitions seem kind of … ridiculous.
Now I’m not calling anyone weird for believing in superstitions. Personally, I feel strange relying on a few everyday objects, like grapes or a bag of luggage, to steer my future.
One particular New Years, I went over to my best friend’s house. On the way, my mom showed me a video of one of her friends walking around the street with a full bag of luggage.
Where was she going? Absolutely nowhere. Apparently this is what people do when they want a year full of travel. People go to extreme lengths for luck.
After arriving at their home, we were having a great time, when I noticed a vase filled with uncooked seeds. It looked like some cute decor, right?
“Does your grandma do this?” my best friend asked. Honestly, I was confused.
“It’s for good luck Valerie,” her mom explained. “Now, lets have some grapes.”
I love fruit, but I noticed that they were pre-sorted in a cup.
“Remember to eat them one at a time, then say things you want to accomplish after each one,” she told me.
One at a time! What are we on, rations? I’m a “handful at a time” person.
Then, there was a white candle on a plate and everyone was handing in a dollar. Supposedly, if you don’t spend the dollar for an entire year then it will bring you luck financially.
I’m pretty sure I bought food with the $5 I loaned for the night within a matter of three months. And now, as a college student who is currently still collecting loans, I can see how that turned out.
If there really is any merit to superstitions, then I’m going to start my own. I’m going to roll up a piece of paper, tie it up with some fancy ribbon, and kiss it at midnight. Boom! A degree guaranteed.
