In This Issue...        SEVEN YEARS OF BAD LUCK AND OTHER SUPERSTITIONS

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During a recent NLCS playoff game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets, an announcer interviewed the father of the Cards' starting pitcher, Jeff Suppan. The conversation between the two quickly turned to the proud papa's game-time superstitions. Mr. Suppan admitted that he didn't eat or drink anything while his son was pitching — a ritual he started back when Jeff played high school ball.

After Jeff pitched eight scoreless innings and left the game, the camera panned to Mr. Suppan who was happily chowing down on stadium fare. With Jeff in the dugout for the remainder of the game, it was once again safe for him to indulge. His fasting, however, was not for naught — not only did Jeff hold the Mets to three hits, but also the Cardinals went on to win the game 5-0.

Certainly, Mr. Suppan isn't the only superstitious person out there. As a matter of fact, athletes are notoriously superstitious people. A number of baseball players believe it is bad luck to step on the baselines while running on and off the field during innings. Most basketball players bounce the ball for good luck before taking a foul shot. And more than a handful of hockey players think it is bad luck for hockey sticks to lie crossed.

But you don't have to be a famous athlete or celebrity to be superstitious. Everyday people like you and me (yes, me included) have private rituals or superstitions that either bring them good luck or, at the very least, help them to avoid bad luck. Who hasn't avoided walking under a ladder, thrown salt over their shoulder, steered clear of a black cat, or tried their hardest not to break a mirror at some time or another?

Yet as silly as some of these rituals may seem, a number of people bring their superstitions into the workplace. Take, for example, the clothes workers choose to wear. On the day of a big presentation or meeting, employees admit to wearing their "lucky" suit or tie. Conversely, employees avoid wearing clothes that supposedly have bad karma. Many employees have sworn never again to wear the dress or shirt they were wearing when their boss berated them or they received a pink slip.

And superstitions are not limited to the clothes on an employee's back. Workers describe eating certain foods for breakfast before a big presentation, using specific writing utensils when preparing an important speech, and drinking out of the same mug for fear that something dreadful might happen that day if they dare to drink coffee out of a different cup.

For the most part, superstitions are harmless, even if they are a little bit crazy. As long as you don't allow your superstitions to affect your decision-making or dictate your every move, who cares if you wear your lucky underwear to help you achieve professional success.

Good luck, stay legal, and don't break any mirrors!

Stacey L. Ziegler
Editor

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