Post readers debate the role of superstition in the lives of Ukrainians and Americans
ders responses. This week's winner is Dina Smirnova, whose response is below. She wins a business lunch for two at Evrika.
During the last century, who had more control over their lives – average Americans or average Ukrainians? During the same time period, who had more contacts with other cultures, both live and through the media? When you answer these questions, it becomes clear why Ukrainians in general seem to be more superstitions. It should gradually weaken as more Ukrainians become better managers of their lives and as they get more occasions to smile at superstitions from other cultures, and therefore to realize how funny theirs can be.
Dina Smirnova
Before coming here, I always used to sit at the corner, but I married young. I even have whistled indoors but have managed to make decent money. Not too many cats (black or otherwise) make it across my path since I just can't stand them.
But after living in the NIS for seven years, even if I haven't begun to actually believe in these tales, I've certainly begun to abide by them, probably to avoid conflicts with my former wife, mother-in-law and co-workers. And the indignation of locals over non-observance can be quite sincere! I remember an instance when I stepped over our little boy in the presence of my mother-in-law. It turns out that this is unacceptable as the child will not grow for three days, so I had to retrace my steps and apologize effusively. I may have even had to recite some sort of chant!
In any case, my whistling has been silenced, and I am not permitted to sit in corner seats, although I still kick cats attempting to cross my path. My son has already grown to about half my height. To be sure, several superstitions have become part of my normal routine: never shake hands across the threshold, look in the mirror if you have to return home for something, remove empty bottles from the table. I've never gotten a satisfactory explanation as to why I must or mustn't do certain things, so I'll just call it habit grown out of respect for the culture.
Roy Nygaard
I have my own set of taboos and good signs, just like anyone else, but I'll never spit across my shoulder in a crowd, no matter how many black cats dart across the sidewalk. When I fail at a job interview, I know it wasn't because of an “unlucky” tie.
Suppose Ukrainians do allow superstition to control their lives. Do you seriously mean to say that Americans' lives totally depend on logic and good organization? If you do, think of what Bulgakov's Messier Woland said: “The man is not just mortal; the point is, he is unexpectedly mortal.” This is what all those little things do – make you feel safeguarded against something that's beyond your control, something you don't even know about. It doesn't matter whether those signs and precautions really work – they probably don't; but, if they make you feel like they do, they are OK.
Alexander Shabotenko
I have to tell the truth – superstitions and all supernatural occurrences are very near to my heart. Therefore, I always take precautions against a black cat crossing my path. On the other hand, our nice, furry and fat black cat Mursik is very friendly and wouldn't harm anyone. (He has lived with us for almost six years, and we are still safe and sound.) But running into a strange black cat on the street, I spit over my left shoulder three times just to be safe.
Superstitions have deep roots in ancient times when it was difficult to find shelter in the mighty, wild nature. Simple precautions (if you believe in them), such as not stepping on cracks, having talismans, etc. give a sense of safety. I am sure that mankind exists now because people managed to find ways to remain in their right mind among hurricanes and horrible thunderstorms. Superstitions allowed people not to go mad, feeling shielded by kind supernatural forces.
I think that, little by little, superstitions will vanish with the development of civilization and growth of people's self-reliance. Whether it is good or bad – that's the question!
Marina Vladimirova
In this issue I fully support Olga – superstition is part of culture. One can walk under all ladders he or she wants and ignore the black cats, but still remember to bring an odd (not even) number of flowers to a Ukrainian friend, never to praise someone's baby without pretending to spit over the shoulder or, holding the bottle, pouring drinks over the thumb and not the index finger. It is just polite.
Also, following the rules of superstition, people try to avoid bad luck. That brings them some contentment as there are already too many unavoidable misfortunes in life. And lastly, I think there are no unsuperstitious people whatsoever. Claiming to be one is already a kind superstition (helping to become impregnable to all other superstitions).
Yuri Bovsunovsky
To tell the truth, Olga's arguments made me smile because she sounds like an American made to stand up for Ukrainian popular beliefs. I have hardly ever met a Ukrainian that would be rational about his superstitions. What is more, I think both Olga and Diana oversimplify the problem.
In my opinion, Ukrainian society is built upon superstitions. Let's face it. My people's obsession with superstitions really shocks me, even though I grew up in this country. Take the so-called Commemoration Day observed at all cemeteries in Kyiv. This is when families of the dead pay tribute to their late relatives. The idea may seem nice at first. However, when crowds of people fill a cemetery and improvise funerals on their relatives' graves, it becomes eerie. Every tombstone is turned into a table with vodka and food. Everybody seems to have forgotten that a cemetery is a place of mourning. In reality the food and vodka is picked up by bums half an hour later. Everyone knows that and approaches it as a sort of almsgiving.
Cemeteries are usually overcrowded on Commemoration Day. If you ask the people why come to their relatives' grave on this day, some will tell you that on this day the spirits of the dead stand by their graves to see if their families haven't forgotten them. If you fail to come, it will insult the dead. Do I have to comment on that?
Commemoration Day seems to be getting more popular. That testifies to our nation's need for superstitions. And our ineradicable desire to be told what to do and when.
When religious faith comes down to a set of superstitions, it becomes meaningless. I certainly don't want my people to become as rational and down-to-earth as Americans, but I don't want them to be overly superstitious either. I still hope that someday Ukraine will be a country of enlightened people capable of thinking for themselves.
Dima Voznyuk
