Context:

The informant is a 23 year old Japanese male. He was born in Nagoya, Japan where he spent the first half of his life. When he was 13, he came to the United States to attend high school and has been living in California ever since. The informant currently resides in Inglewood, CA and works in animation.

This story was told to me by my nanny.

She was quite superstitious, she went to see psychics, and was told by the psychic that when you encounter a ghost, you are not supposed to breathe. You should just keep walking until you pass them, because when you breathe in, the spirit and sometimes they are good, other times they are bad, can enter your body. 

Analysis:

Superstition remains prominent in many cultures, particularly among older generations. This is example demonstrates the Japanese belief in superstitions, particularly more spiritual ones, while also living in a very technologically advanced and science driven society.