Culture & Traditions

Triskaidekaphobia, or, fear of the number 13, comes in many forms, but in restaurants, it means that a "table for 13" will result in a death of one of the diners. Learn about the origins of this superstition, and skeptics' amusing counterarguments.

By Debra Ronca

A friendly gesture in one country might be a highly insulting one in another. Here are 10 rude gestures that you'd better be sure you're using correctly before trying them out.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

The mysteries surrounding the U.S. government's Area 51 have been revealed to be mostly mundane, but that hasn't prevented a bevy of believers from coming up with outlandish theories about the secret desert base.

By Patrick J. Kiger

While it might be strange today to show up at a baby shower with a giant wheel of cheese, this wasn't always the case. Find out how "groaning cheese" came to be a symbol of good luck when celebrating a newborn's arrival into the world.

By Debra Ronca

Superstitions come in all shapes and sizes. On the credibility scale, it's unlikely that stepping on a crack will break your mother's back or that your soul will escape when you sneeze, but some superstitions might actually have a basis in reality.

By Bambi Turner

Perhaps because it is such a rare occurrence, when a baby is born with a piece of the amniotic sac still attached to its head or face, it's seen as a sign of good luck in many cultures.

By Debra Ronca

A convention doesn't just magically happen - a dedicated team has to organize and arrange all of the vendors, panels and logistics. Matt, Rich and Brian from ReedPop talk about the work they put in to create the ultimate fan experience.

Through a mix of the superstitions of the past and the sexism of today, some believe that being a bridesmaid three times leads to becoming "an old maid." How did this matrimonial myth develop, and why does it persist?

By Debra Ronca

If you're a smoker traveling through Europe, you might get dirty looks when trying to light a cigarette with a candle. What are the origins of this seafaring superstition, and how is it rooted in the off-season work sailors did to make ends meet?

By Debra Ronca

Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse are just a small sample of the dozens of famous musicians who passed on to "the great gig in the sky" at the age of 27. Is 27 a "cursed age," or is it part of a larger trend for many who play music?

By Debra Ronca

Jeffrey Dahmer, Albert DeSalvo, Aileen Wuornos: all serial killers, and three of many with 13 letters in their names. Coincidence or is there a link between murder and the maligned number 13?

By Debra Ronca

Kicking someone out of your social media territory is necessary sometimes, even if you feel it's a breach of etiquette.

By Kate Kershner

The good news: Sometimes you can ignore that text message you really don't want to answer. The bad news: The rules on when it's acceptable to do so are vague.

By Kate Kershner

If you've got a runny nose but your spaghetti is just too good for you to leave the table, don't fret: It may be OK to blow your nose without stepping away.

By Kate Kershner

The grammar-correcting pedant is a ubiquitous character in the strange and sometime cruel realm of social media and comment sections on the Internet. Are these "grammar police" helpful or just plain rude?

By Kate Kershner

Let's face it: Free champagne and food are huge incentives to attend a wedding reception. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't go to the ceremony, too.

By Kate Kershner

Every con has vendors, but Star Wars Celebration offers some of the most drool-worthy art, accessories and armor in the galaxy. Check out art by Cat Staggs, armor by Anovos and unique jewelry by Norse Legion.

Normally, it's extremely rude to point out flaws in somebody's appearance. One big exception: the very embarrassing, but easily fixed, case of food stuck in someone's teeth.

By Susan Sherwood

It's an awkward task that most often falls to bosses, teachers and very close friends. So what's the best way to tell someone about an unpleasant body odor?

By Susan Sherwood

You should never assume you're invited to someone else's wedding ... but someone is sure to assume they're invited to yours. What do you do when that's not true?

By Susan Sherwood

It's hard to get a good whiff of your own breath, so if someone close to you doesn't smell a problem, it may fall to you to break the awkward news.

By Susan Sherwood

If somebody on your neighborhood bus has a booming, not-to-be-ignored voice, it's best to just leave it alone. But what do you do if that same voice thunders around your transatlantic flight?

By Susan Sherwood

Not speaking up when witnessing racism sends a message that racism is OK - and even that you agree with it. Here are some tips for confronting racist language.

By Susan Sherwood

Near the top of the lifetime list of minor humiliations suffered in public: the unzipped fly. Here's how to tell someone what you wish someone had told you.

By Susan Sherwood

During a 2010 town hall meeting, a moderator asked Hillary Clinton which clothing designers she preferred. Her response? "Would you ever ask a man that?"

By Susan Sherwood