在美国,十三被认为是个迷信数字.所以一些建筑物都没有十三楼,相反,它们是从十二楼直上到十四楼.一些房子的门牌号码也是这样的.
In America,thirteen is considered to be a superstitious number.So some buildings don't have the thirteenth floor,instead,they go from the twelfth to the fourteenth floor.Some house door numbers are like that as well.
Many people are superstitious about numbers.They think that there are lucky numbers and unlucky numbers.The number 13 is often considered unlucky.In some parts of the world,buildings have no 13th floor and streets have no houses with the number 13.In Japan,"4"is considered unlucky because in Japanese the word"four"is pronounced the same as the word "death".The Japanese never give gifts of four knives,four napkins,or four of anything.
What are the lucky numbers Seven is a lucky number in many places,and "8" is considered a lucky number in Japan and China.In China,businesses often open on August 8,and many couples register to get married at eight past eight on August 8.
Superstitions about numbers are so widespread that some people-called numerologists-make a living giving advice about numbers.In 1937,when the Toyoda family of Japan wanted to form a car company,they asked a numerologist if "Toyoda" would be a good name for the company.The numerologist said it would not be.He explained that "Toyota" would be a better name for the company.The family took his advice.As a result,millions of people drive "Toyotas" and not "Toyodas."
There are many other kinds of superstitions.There are superstitions about eating,sleeping,sneezing and itching.There are superstitions about animals and holidays and horseshoes.