Here we are on Friday the 13th, supposedly an unlucky day if you have Tridecaphobia, fear of the number 13, the most common superstition. If you do, this is most likely the day you will call in to work sick even though you aren’t. A superstition has varied definitions but generally is a belief that is not based on human knowledge or scientific reason but rather comes from fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation. I think if we’re honest, we’re all a little bit superstitious at one time or another. Do you believe bad luck comes in threes? Do you make a wish when blowing out birthday candles? Do you think someone who wins the first time just had beginner’s luck? Have you ever knocked on wood? Have you ever crossed your fingers for luck? Have you ever spilled salt then thrown some over your left shoulder? On your wedding day did you wear something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new? These are all superstitions. And, as we said, fear of the number 13 is the most common one. Some say it goes back to the Last Supper where 13 gathered and Jesus announced he would be betrayed. Friday was added with the rounding up of the Knights Templar by King Philip IV of France for torture and execution on Friday, October 13th, 1307. Whatever and whenever, there’s something about Friday the 13th that hangs around in the back of our minds even today so let’s be careful out there!

That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.