B2 – Upper Intermediate
Several dates in the world of superstitions cause as much anxiety as Friday the 13th. Due to the unusual combination of the day and number, which has long been linked to bad luck, many people advise being cautious on this believed ominous day. Of the many myths associated with Friday the Thirteenth, two particularly intriguing ones are the avoiding of specific airline seat rows and the allegedly drop in prices for tickets to different events and services. Are these claims based on valid reports or are they just the result of urban legends?
Click on the provided link to find out.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “good deal” mean in the sentence, “Data shows you can usually find good deals when a Friday falls on the 13th of the month.”? Use this in your own sentence.
- What does “get away” mean in the sentence, “Bear in mind that Friday is one of the most popular days to travel so prices are usually higher due to demand as people get away for the weekend.”? Use this in your own sentence.
- What does “accident in the air” mean in the sentence, “Though there are superstitions surrounding the date, it isn’t any more likely that you’ll get into an accident in the air.”? Use this in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What is the origin of the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th, and why is it considered an unlucky day in many cultures?
- Are there any businesses or industries that are particularly affected by the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th?
- How do different cultures and societies interpret and respond to Friday the 13th, and are there variations in beliefs and practices? Tell me more.
- Is traveling on Friday the 13th something you’d consider? Why or why not?
- Would you say that your culture tends to be superstitious? What’s your take on the belief that Friday the 13th is an unlucky date? Please share.
2 replies on “Friday 13th Superstitions on Seat Rows and Ticket Prices”
1. In Spain, the superstition day is Tuesday the 13th. I don’t really know where the origin of this myth come from, but I suppose that it has to be linked with different misfortunes which happened in that specific day throughout history. Reviewing on the Internet, I can see that some were the capture and execution of the Knights of the Temple Orden, a big fire in Australia, a plane crash in Los Andes, an accident in a cruiser or a terrorist attack. All of them with many deaths.
2. As the article states, the most affected will be the industry related to the travel and tourism, since people will avoid traveling these days. Therefore, the number of reservations in the hotels will drop.
3. I am not very fond of these legends, and I cannot say very much about the beliefs in different countries. I have read that this superstition come from Anglo-Saxon and Latin countries, Greece, Spain. In all of them, try to avoid getting married, flying in a plane, breaking a mirror, or walking under a ladder.
4. I do not personally believe in this superstition because I do not think that the bad luck comes in a precise day. Therefore, I would not have any problem to fly on a Friday/Tuesday 13th. In addition, when I plan a trip, I do not see in which day I have to travel.
5. I notice a difference in beliefs between my generation and the previous one. My mother tends to do certain things because she thinks that it brings good or bad luck but I realize that people my age does not think the same way.
Your consistent writing practice is paying off.
Here are a few sentences and some minor edits you can make in them:
Well done doing this exercise.