The Brian Lehrer Show Friday the 13th and Other Superstitions
Mar 13, 2026
Listeners call in with quirky rituals they follow just in case, from tossing salt and tapping car roofs to avoiding ladders. Stories range from baby-gift timing and not testing umbrellas indoors to workplace rules like never saying it is quiet. Tales include theater taboos, feng shui money practices, and practical safety habits framed as superstition.
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Superstitions Influence Markets And Behavior
- Superstitions shape behavior even when people don't truly believe them.
- Brian Lehrer describes how cultural artifacts like missing 13th floors reflect market pressure and perceived value rather than literal belief.
Listeners Describe Personal Superstitions
- Many listeners share personal superstitions they follow despite skepticism.
- Examples include kissing your hand when running a yellow light and avoiding putting a hat on a bed after seeing Drugstore Cowboy.
Avoid Buying Gifts Before Birth
- Some people avoid buying gifts for unborn babies out of superstition.
- Elise explains she won't purchase or even bring a gift to a shower until the baby is born, sending a card instead.