Author Archives: Eryne Lagman

Superstition – United States

Nationality: Filipino
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: April 2, 2008
Primary Language: English

Another piece of Navy folklore that Vince shared with me is one about dolphins and their significance to seamen.  Dolphins are considered a good omen to submariners.  If and when dolphins encounter a submarine, they are a telltale sign that everything will be okay and that the seas are safe to wander.

Vince sees dolphins as mystical animals, who connote good vibes and good thing to come.  I agree in that dolphins are, indeed, mystical animals.  In a sense, they are reminiscent of fairytale and marchen, in the fact that they are indeed so mystical.

Superstition – Chinese

Nationality: Chinese-American, and Filipino
Age: 19, and 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Atlanta, GA, and Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: March 14, 2008
Primary Language: English
Language: Mandarin

I have heard many different types of folklore regarding chopsticks.  My Chinese roommate, Rachel, shared with me a version I had never encountered before.  In Chinese culture, it is said that God is present in chopsticks.  Therefore, it is considered highly disrespectful to do such a thing as drop or damage your chopstick in any which way.

Considering how essential chopsticks are to many Asian cultures—Korean, Chinese, Japanese—such a superstition would make sense.  Chopsticks are the main utensil when it comes to these types of Asian cuisine.  In my own experience, I had heard Japanese folklore in that it is disrespectful and, in fact, malicious and ill-wishing to point one’s chopsticks at someone across the table—either at the direct opposite side of the table, from where you are sitting, or at any place setting at the table at all.  To aim pointed objects such as chopsticks at someone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, connotes either killing or shooting and is highly looked down upon in Japanese culture.

With a continent such as Asia, with a history so rich in fighting and which bears the roots of many of the world’s different forms of martial arts, it is no wonder that such a superstition would even exist.  For the Chinese, with religion as an important element of their culture, it is also not much of a surprise that their culture would connote such sanctity to such an important element of their daily lives: chopsticks.

Joke – United States

Nationality: Chinese, Filipino
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: Stockton, CA
Performance Date: March 14, 2008
Primary Language: English

“That’s What She Said”

The “That’s what she said” phenomenon is growing in popularity by the day.  Essentially, the phrase “That’s what she said” is an excuse to plug sexual innuendo into any nook and cranny of daily life.  For example, if someone, whether male or female, comments on the size of a massive yacht, for instance, and says something to the effect of, “It’s so big and long,” this would be the perfect instance to insert a “That’s what she said” statement.   “That’s what she said” is a shortened version of “That’s what she said last night.”   The “last night” portion is typically implied, denoting that a female had made such a comment during a sexual encounter, preferably intercourse, the previous night.  In the example I had given, obviously the adjectives ‘big’ and ‘long’ would stir up sentiments of sexual innuendo, in that they are referring to a phallus.

My good friend, Kevin, frequently uses this phrase.  He can find a sexual joke in any comment or phrase said in his daily life and, therefore, uses “That’s what she said” very frequently.  While at times such a joke can be considered inappropriate, I, personally, find “that’s what she said” comments to be hilarious, especially when the comedic timing is dead-on.  Such sexually-suggesting folklore can apply to each and every one of us because, even if we do not frequently express ourselves sexually, deep down, all of us share a burning desire to convey our passions and sexual motives.

Custom – United States

Nationality: Filipino
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: March 2, 2008
Primary Language: English

As a young child, I was taught to do the Sign of the Cross every time I heard an ambulance.  I vividly recall being in second grade class, with Ms. McCarthy as our substitute teacher for the day, because our actual teacher, Mrs. Moore, was taking a sick day off.  On a hot spring day, our windows were wide open, and we were letting the cool Southern California breeze enter the classroom and cool our sweaty little bodies, exhausted from a good game of kickball at our last recess break.  As we are jus settling into class, a roaring ambulance truck comes speeding down Cochran Ave., blowing right past our elementary school in full force, filling the hallways and classrooms with its continuous loud sound, entering through our open windows.  At that moment, our substitute teacher immediately did the Sign of the Cross.  She then shared with us that, ever since she were a little girl, her parents taught her to do the Sign of the Cross any time she ever heard emergency sirens.  In addition to that, she mentioned that every time she does so, she mutters a quick prayer for whomever may be in need of emergency aid.

Ever since that very day, it has become second-nature for me to automatically perform the motions of the Sign of the Cross whenever I hear an ambulance of any kind—emergency truck or police car, alike.  With religion being so significant in my Roman-Catholic upbringing, I make it a point to say a quick intention for whomever the ambulance is rushing to.  Though it is not exactly a doctrine of my religion to perform such an act, it is nice to practice my faith on my own automatic will, even if for a millisecond or two throughout my daily routine.

Custom – University of Southern California

Nationality: Filipino
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: South San Francisco, CA
Performance Date: April 16, 2008
Primary Language: English

It is well known that a school such as ours here at the University of Southern California is chock full of different kinds of legends, customs, and folklore.  My friend Berna shared her favorite piece of USC folklore with me.  With football season being such a major period of time in the school year for us Trojans, one of USC’s very own football customs stands out most in her mind: kicking the flagpoles on Exposition Blvd. on the way back to campus, returning from a glorious or defeated game of football.

As the fanfare of The Spirit of Troy dies down and the Coliseum spills out its throngs of people after every Trojan football game, the crowd on its way back to the University Park campus typically takes one route: across Exposition Blvd.  The flagpoles in front of George Tirebiter, the trusty and loyal dog companion of the early Trojan football team, stand as a sort of gateway back to USC from the Coliseum.  As each person passes through, Trojans or non-Trojans alike, must kick the base of the flagpoles a number of times.  Berna recalls hearing the sound of clanking feet against the metal of the pole every time she approaches that entrance on Expo.  Such a simple custom is said to bring luck and victory to the football team for their next and future football games.  I, being a superstitious person, agree with this folklore and, although I was a Spring admit this year, I came out to each and every football game, with my own Student Season pass, and gladly partook in the custom of kicking the flagpole every single time I passed through that entrance into campus.  I honestly felt as though each time I had not kicked the poles, the team truly could have performed better in their following game.