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Lesson 19

Friday the 13th

A Friday occurring on the 13th day of any month
is considered to be a day of bad luck in English, Ger-
man, Polish and Portuguese-speaking cultures around

the globe. In Greece or Spain, for example, Tuesday

the 13th takes the same role. In Russia, the unlucky
day is Monday. The fear of Friday the 13th is called

paraskavedekatriaphobia. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they are
simply unable to get out of bed when Friday the 13th rolls around. The Stress

Management Center and Phobia Institute estimates that more than 17 million
people are affected by a fear of this day. Despite that, representatives for both

Delta and Continental Airlines say that their airlines don’t suffer from any no-

ticeable drop in travel on those Fridays.

Comprehension

1. Which countries consider Friday the 13th a day of bad luck?

Questions

1. What are the superstitious beliefs in your country?
2. Give me a situation where you experienced having
good luck or bad luck.
3. What are your superstitious beliefs?

Vocabulary & Expressions
occurring: to happen; take place; come to pass
superstitions: A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of
the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance
exist: to have being in a specified place or under certain conditions; be found;
occur
paralyzed: to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act
affected: Assumed or simulated to impress others
noticeable: attracting notice or attention; capable of being noticed

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