Conversations: superstitions and phobias

In honor of the spooky holiday happening this week, we asked several of our contributing writers to share their superstitions and the things that completely freak them out.

Robin Harris I’m not superstitious. I do have a couple of fears. I’m afraid of snakes...unless I see them first! My horror would be being buried alive in a tiny space. I have shivers just thinking about it!

Erin Ellison That’s fair. That is creepy. I will tell you that snakes are lovely. Not at all slimy like people think.

Katy Wise Greer Like most southerners, I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious. I won’t wear black to a wedding (which is dreadful because all I wear day to day is black). We eat collards, pork and black eyes on New Year’s day — and you won’t catch me washing clothes that day, lest I wash someone out of my life that year.

My fears are pretty simple: spiders, bridges, heights, and a future dystopian wasteland that places a premium on anti-intellectualism. Obvs.

Erin Ellison I forgot about collards and black-eyed peas. I feel like that’s so commonplace, it can’t even be a superstition anymore. Right?

Angela Howerter I have to turn anything with a dial to an even number: radio volume, car or home thermostat, etc. My husband is the opposite and prefers odd numbers.

Erin Ellison I also like odd numbers. I tend to like people with odd number birthdays more.

Kyle Bower I wouldn’t say I have a particular fear. Instead, I jump at anything and everything! My reaction is so intense that I usually end up scaring the other person — especially if someone tries to wake me up. Evidently, I look as though my life is flashing before my eyes. My husband and son find this hilarious it’s become a “thing” to scare me on the regular.

As for superstitions, I know when I see the number 11 that everything is going to be alright. I’ve also have an interest in numerology and the meaning behind certain numbers.

I also feel weird stepping on cracks in the sidewalk even though I’ve stepped on quite a few without any repercussions

Angela Howerter Same! I'll stop and awkwardly double step or take a long stride just to avoid those cracks.

Erin Ellison You never know what one of those cracks is going to do to your mother’s back. My dad is the same way.