Friday the 13th
Here is everything Friday the 13th….
Flying Is Cheaper On Friday The 13th: A survey by Kayak.com reveals that flying on Friday the 13th is 14% cheaper than on any other day. The savings are due to a collective fear of flying on the unluckiest day of the year. A Kayak spokesperson tells the Daily Telegraph: “Flight prices are, of course, based on demand, so the data indicates that people really are superstitious enough that they would prefer not to fly on Friday 13th.”
The flight comparison site Momondo says flights are 33% cheaper on Friday the 13th.
The price of hotel rooms stays the same
Have No Fear: The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute estimates that $800 to $900 million is lost every time a Friday the 13th occurs. They say most of the loss stems from travelers, who avoid doing business or flying on Friday the 13th. National Geographic says between 17 million and 21 million people in the U.S. suffer from a fear related to the day.
Lucky #13: The Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics studied dates to see if Friday the 13th is really unlucky. Researchers concluded that the superstitious day is actually safer than an average Friday because fewer accidents and crime occur. Statistician Alex Hoen says he’s still skeptical. “I find it hard to believe that it is because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home, but statistically speaking, driving is a little bit safer on Friday 13th.”
Drive Safe: A survey by Chill Insurance reveals that there is a 14% decrease in car accidents on Friday the 13th. Research also shows car crashes are no more common on Friday the 13th, than on any other day of the week, or any other Friday in the year. Researchers say drivers may actually drive more carefully on Friday the 13th because they are scared of bad luck and crashing.
An Accident Waiting To Happen: Norwich Union Insurance says scores of people don’t work on Friday the 13th because they are superstitious. A previous study of accident claims, between 2002 and 2006, shows accidents increase by 13% on Friday the 13th. This study contradicts the study in the story above. The “safest” day to travel is the 26th day of the month. Insurance agents say on that day, accidents drop by 8%.
Friday the 13th Fanboy: Casey Kalinowski, of Hampton Township, Michigan, collects Jason Voorhees memorabilia and is a huge Friday the 13th fan. He tells mlive.com that his Jason Voorhees costume cost $750. “I purchased some of it a little bit at a time. It takes about a year to finish one. I did some of the pieces myself. I started being a dedicated Jason collector about two years ago, but I’ve always been into ‘Friday the 13th’.”
Casey has two Friday the 13th-inspired tattoos.
Friday the 13th Makes People Stay Home
A survey by Mecca Bingo reveals that 5% of people won’t leave their house on Friday the 13th. Other findings:
– 80% of people are superstitious.
– 36% of superstitious people have lucky socks.
– 35% of superstitious people knock on wood
– 35% of superstitious people have lucky pants
– 23% of superstitious people believe a lucky coin wards off bad luck
– 22% of superstitious people keep their fingers and toes crossed for good luck
– 7% of people are superstitious on Friday the 13th
Bad Luck
A survey by Travelodge reveals that 72% of people have experienced bad luck on a Friday the 13th. Other findings
– 33% of adults are so fearful of Friday the 13th that they do not travel on that day
– 60% of people suffer from a fear of the number 13.
Mirror Mirror
A survey by Warner Bros reveals that 21% of people follow superstitions on Friday the 13th. Other findings:
– 34% of people will act with caution or look out for omens of good or bad luck on Friday the 13th
Top 10 Fears, Superstitions and Signs of Bad Luck
1. Breaking a mirror
2. Walking under a ladder
3. Friday 13th
4. Opening an umbrella indoors
5. A black cat crossing your path
6. The sight of a single magpie
7. Spilling salt
8. Placing shoes on the table or on the bed
9. Treading on cracks in the pavement
10. Walking over three drains
Superstitious
A survey by Harris reveals that just 33% of people believe finding and picking up a penny is good luck. Other findings:
– 24% of people believe the groom and bride should avoid each other before their wedding because it’s bad luck
– only 23% of people believe “7” is a lucky number
– only 21% of people believe knocking on wood prevents bad luck
– only 20% of people believe walking under a ladder is bad luck
– only 14% of people believe Friday the 13th is an unlucky day
– only 14% of people believe breaking a mirror is bad luck
– only 13% of people believe throwing spilled salt over the left shoulder prevents bad luck
– only 12% of people believe “13” is an unlucky number
– only 7% of people believe stepping on a crack is bad luck
Unlucky
A survey by Powwownow reveals that 25% of people consider Friday the 13th to be unlucky. Other findings:
– 32% of women and 21% of men consider Friday the 13th to be unlucky
– 10% of people avoid traveling by train on Friday the13th
– 16% of people avoid traveling by plane on Friday the13th
– 11% of people refuse to stay in hotel room number 13 on Friday the13th
– 37% of people won’t buy a house that has a number 13 in the address
