Metaphor

A subject told me about “Nose Goes”. Essentially, it is a game used to determine who gets stuck with a task that no one wants to do. My subject learned of the game from her younger siblings, when their mother asked someone to take out the trash. Her youngest sister put the index finger on her nose and yelled out “Nose goes!” The other siblings placed their fingers as fast as possible on their noses, except for my subject. She was not aware of the game and therefore lost it. The game is all about speed, at the person who doesn’t get it fast or is the last to place the finger on their nose – loses. According to my subject, the game is primarily used by children, to determine who will perform the dreaded task.

It is interesting how “nose goes” is like a game that starts spontaneously by one person, and everyone has to follow the suit. Now a person who is not aware of the rules is at the disadvantage. This however demonstrates the unwritten customs can shape group interactions. The game is funny because it feels fair but it really isn’t. There is no talking or deciding, just a quick reaction that determines who loses. The silly game shows how people naturally create little rules to assign tasks, giving an advantage to those who already know how it works.

Ride Safe Sign

Nationality: American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Language: English

The gesture: Out with the left hand extended downward  by his thigh, “O” made a gesture like a peace sign, the index and middle finger extended and the palm turned forward facing the same direction as him.

“It’s the universal for, like a ‘ride safe’ thing when you pass another biker, like on the opposite side of the street, because there’s that sense of community that comes from riding, so it’s like, when you see someone else who’s taking that risk and is out riding and stuff, you always give them that little sign. And it’s kind of a biker only thing. 

Analysis: As the informant identified, this gesture encourages community members to support each other and recognize their risk and commitment. More than that, this gesture seems like a blessing, especially in its almost compulsory nature. The informant mentions that one ‘always’ gives this sign when seeing another rider as a way to say ‘ride safe’. “Ride safe” in itself is a blessing, a wish upon others to be safe on the road, and the gesture creates a nonverbal blessing that riders can give while also riding safe themselves. Because it is expected to always give this sign, the absence of it might indicate ill will or a jinx, making the upkeep of this tradition and gesture more important to those who believe in its significance.

Sukob

Nationality: American
Age: 57
Occupation: Homemaker
Residence: Chino, California
Language: Tagalog/English

Text: Sukob: If two siblings (or sometimes even first cousins) marry within the same year, it is believed that one or both marriages will be unlucky, resulting in financial struggles, sickness, or death.

If a child gets married in the same year that a parent or grandparent dies, it is also considered bad luck, as it is believed to bring misfortune to the family.

Context:
“It’s a really well-known superstition in the Philippines. Basically, if two siblings (or even first cousins) get married in the same year, it’s believed that their marriages will be unlucky. People say it could lead to financial struggles, sickness, or even death. There’s also another version of sukob that says if someone gets married in the same year that a parent or grandparent dies, it brings bad luck to the whole family.

I first heard about sukob from my family when I was younger. I remember my aunt was supposed to get married, but she had to wait until the next year because my other aunt had already planned her wedding. My grandparents were really strict about it and didn’t want to risk bad luck. It was one of those things that everyone just followed, even if they weren’t superstitious.

Even now, some people still take sukob seriously. I know some families who will purposely delay a wedding just to avoid it. Even me and my husband were not able to get a Christmas wedding because my husband’s oldest sister had their wedding scheduled earlier that year. We had to wait for January so our weddings would not fall on the same year.”

Analysis: Sukob is a powerful example of folk belief in the Philippines, reflecting deep cultural values surrounding family, fate, and the supernatural. At its core, this superstition highlights the importance of harmony and balance within the family unit, a key aspect of Filipino culture. The idea that two weddings in the same year could bring misfortune suggests that major life events must be carefully spaced to maintain order and avoid upsetting spiritual forces. Similarly, the belief that a marriage following a death brings bad luck reflects a respect for mourning periods, reinforcing the idea that certain events should not overlap out of reverence for both the living and the dead.

From a folkloric perspective, sukob functions as a cautionary tale that influences real-life decisions, much like other folk beliefs meant to guide behavior. It operates as a form of social control, ensuring that traditions are followed and family members prioritize collective well-being over individual desires. Even though some people no longer believe in sukob, many still follow it out of cultural respect or fear of tempting fate. This demonstrates how folklore persists and adapts, continuing to shape traditions and beliefs even when its original supernatural explanation may no longer hold the same weight.



Time is like a sword

Nationality: American
Age: 50
Occupation: Homemaker
Residence: Dallas, Texas
Language: Arabic

Orignial Script: الوقت كالسيف إن لم تقطعه قطعك 

Romanization: alwaqt kalsayf ‘iin lam taqtaeh qiteuk

English Translation: Time is like a sword. If you do not cut it, it will cut you

Context: “I first heard this saying when I was younger, probably from my parents or elders in the family. It was something that was repeated in conversations about being disciplined and making the most of my time. Back then, I didn’t fully understand its weight, but as I grew older, I realized how true it was. It wasn’t just a phrase, it was a reminder, almost like a warning, that time doesn’t wait for anyone. If you don’t take control of it, it will slip away before you even notice. For me, this quote has always meant that time is precious, almost like money, you have to spend it wisely, or you’ll regret wasting it. It shaped the way I think about productivity and responsibility. When I was in school, I would hear this and remind myself to focus on my studies instead of putting things off. It’s a saying that stuck with me because it makes you realize that time isn’t something you can control, it keeps moving whether you do something meaningful with it or not. If you don’t take charge of your time, life will move forward without you, and you’ll be left wondering where all the time went. So I always try to be mindful of how I spend my days. I think about this saying often, and I’ve even repeated it to others when I see them struggling with time management or feeling like they can just put things off. It’s a lesson I carry with me, and I hope you do too.”

Analysis: From a cultural perspective, this saying emphasizes the importance of productivity and time management, which are deeply rooted in many societies, particularly in Middle Eastern and Islamic traditions. Many classical Arabic proverbs stress the value of hard work, wisdom, and self-discipline, often framing time as something that must be controlled rather than wasted. This reflects a broader worldview where time is seen as a finite resource, and one’s success is directly tied to how well they manage it.

From a historical standpoint, the use of the sword as a metaphor is significant. Swords were historically symbols of power, precision, and urgency. By comparing time to a sword, the proverb suggests that time, like a weapon, must be wielded skillfully, or else it will turn against the person who fails to take control of it. This imagery evokes a sense of duty and urgency, reinforcing the idea that individuals must take action in their own lives or risk being “cut down” by wasted opportunities.

This saying operates as a verbal tradition, a piece of wisdom that is passed down orally and becomes embedded in the cultural consciousness. Proverbs like this are often repeated within families and communities to teach younger generations essential life lessons. In this case, the proverb serves an educational function, warning people of the dangers of procrastination while promoting discipline and self-control.

Snake belief

Context: “We weren’t even allowed to have the textbook with a snake on it! Even the white teachers bought into it. Burger King down the street had a snake decoration up, and you know what happened to it? It shut down! No one ate there.”

Analysis: In Navajo culture, snakes are a bad omen. It is taboo to touch and even look at snakes, especially not when eating, mating, or shedding, as these are considered sacred. Watching it can allow a Navajo malevolent spirit enter your life. The belief was so deeply held, the public school system and economy was affected, with textbooks that had snakes on the cover being replaced or defaced and a Burger King in the area closing down after decorations of a snake went up. It signifies the important place animals and nature have in their culture, as it is a deep respect for the snake that causes the taboo rather than fear.