Being Filipino is interesting. You are told things by your parents your friends (mostly White and Hispanic) never get to hear. You don’t know whether or not to feel bad for them or bad for yourself. Here’s a list of odd things I’ve been told over the years:
- If your hair is wet and you fall asleep, you’ll go blind.
I did this all the time. My eyesight is poor, but I’m not blind. - If you have a stomachache, rub saliva around your belly button.
Never worked for me. - Eating chicken on the first day of the year makes your money fly away for the rest of the year.
I never actually tried this one. - Spitting on a baby keeps the bad spirits away.
I think it’s rude to spit on babies. - Lying on your stomach with your legs up and crossed at the ankles means you want your mom to die.
My mom got mad at me once when I did this in her presence.
And my personal favorite…
- When you get your first period, rub the blood on your face. You’ll have flawless skin forever.
It’s gross, I know. My cousin did it (because her mom forced her) and her skin is perfect.
That last one is quite the home remedy! Certainly saves money on Proactive and Benzaclin Peroxide.
Wow. My grandmother told me quite a few strange things in her time, but I’m not sure that any of them can match these.
The period one is quite hilarious and intriguing.
So, is that why you get all uppity when I tickle your belly button?
No, it feels weird. I have a thing about my belly button not being touched. Heh.
Hmm. I don’t like my belly button being touched either…
I knew I wasn’t the only one.
My 30-year-old cousin is afraid that if someone touches her belly button, it’ll hurt her. Like the finger will go in and stab her or something. It’s bizarre, but our thoughts on the belly button touching? Totally normal.