Chinese Taboos

Went for my class today and met some new friends.  In the 3 hours we spent together, all our conversation topics seem to involve food.  Be it pregnancy, travelling, festivals, weddings, deaths or gifts, food was somehow part of it.  Why?  You guessed it... 4 out of 5 in the group were Chinese.

Talking about Chinese, we seem to be the race with the most superstitions, some of which are even new to me.  Not sure whether you believe, but for me, better be paranoid than sorry.  These are some of the superstitions I learned today:

• Do not sweep the house or wash your hair on the 1st day of CNY.
• Do not give clocks and books (during CNY) as gifts.
• Do not buy shoes for your other half, as it means they will run away with another man/woman.
• Do not meet your husband/wife-to-be on the eve of the wedding day.
• Do not place anything sharp (scissors, blades, knives) on the bed if you're pregnant.
• Do not renovate the house when you're pregnant.
• Do not watch someone using the hammer if you're pregnant.
• Do not praise a newborn, or the baby will turn out to be the opposite of the praise.
• Do not open umbrellas inside the house, as the spirit (which stays in the umbrella) will be freed and wandering in your house.
• If (touch wood) you ever meet a ghost, you can either pray or scold foul words to make them go away.  errmmm..... not sure whether it works only with Chinese ghosts.
• Do not cut your fingernails at night, or you will see spirits.
• Do not point at the moon, or your ears may fall off!

In view that CNY is just around the corner, you may want to learn more to ensure the good luck keeps coming & the bad luck keeps away.  Attached are some links which may be useful.
CNY superstitions
CNY taboos

Remember, no harm saying #*$&@%! sometimes. ;p