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I have always been amazed and often amused at people’s superstitions or good luck charms – athletes in particular have often shown a penchant for specific items, mannerisms, or rituals which are supposed to bring them success in their particular sport. When considering behaviors that stem from superstitions, touching wood is the most common one, although almost 2/3 of all behaviors stem from habit rather than an actual belief that one behavior will bring luck or protect from harm.
My husband, Jochen is of the variety of superstitious person who would probably be offended if you called him superstitious. He would never be caught dead having his palm read, never give away all his possession because he expects the end of the world – but he makes decisions with a flip of a coin and – he has been known to wear the same pair of socks and long underwear from day 1 to day 3 when competing in a three-day event!
My logical, ever-so-practical, fastidious to the point of being almost “anal” husband astounded me with this “habit” – something which I found out during a competition which now belongs almost to the chronicles of ancient history – the German national championships held in 1982 at Achselschwang in Bavaria. At that time Jochen was riding for the Young Rider’s Team, and it was very early on in our relationship – we were still discovering lots of new territory!
Germany had been in the throes of an unusual heat wave, and the temperatures were a nearly unheard of 90+ degrees for weeks. We were headed to southern Bavaria for the event, and Jochen insisted on wearing his long underwear under his full leather breeches. Had I been at the proper age, I would have been suffering hot flashes just by looking at him. But that wasn’t really even that unusual – I had picked up this habit from him as well, especially since riding full leather breeches without something underneath was not really that comfortable. What did surprise me, however, was the addition of bright orange silk socks – his so-called “good luck socks”, which he refused to wash and refused to remove from his boots for the duration of the time we where there. By the end of the three days you could throw them at the wall and they would stick.
Be that as it may – they must have brought him luck, because he placed and qualified to compete at the next level – the European Championship qualifier in Boekelo, Holland! So you tell me – good luck charms, yes or no? And what are yours?