I have a Belarussian child staying with me who speaks very limited English. She will NOT let us whistle. Apparently, it means you have no money when you whistle in Belarus. I'm fine with not whistling, but I don't really understand. It doesn't seem to be a joke to her, she honestly doesn't want us to whistle. Can anyone shed any light on this?
2006-07-22 17:01:16 · 5 answers · asked by mandrews_2000 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Yes, she has said that we can't whistle in the house (or car) but outside is fine. I think our confusion came from the translator's description of the superstition. I thought she meant that if we whistled we HAD no money (which obviously to her is not the case). But from the 1st anwer received, it's that if we whistle we'll LOSE our money. So yes, she cares about us and doesn't want that to happen. Thanks to all!
2006-07-23 17:46:11 · update #1
This is not just a Belorussian thing, I believe that it is a east European thing. It is a superstition and people believe in it and if you take into account that these people are not so rich then they honestly believe in it. So take it as an axiom that does not need to be proved and just do not whistle around this kid who probably does not want you to loose money.
2006-07-22 17:08:35 · answer #1 · answered by mc 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is strictly a Belarussian superstition. It is somewhat widely accepted in many Eastern European countries. My own parents believe in it too. I don't exactly know where it comes from. I don't think people who believe in it know either. It is just one of those things you follow just in case. and actually, it is just about the whistling in the house, not whistling in general. If you whistle in your house, you can whistle all your money away. the child staying with you probably just takes it too seriously. just go with it.
2006-07-23 12:00:47 · answer #2 · answered by vsc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well...that's funny because i have a Filipino friend and whenever we whistle at night she said in her culture it call the devil..I've been living in Bangladesh all my life and here if you whistle at night it calls snakes lol. I guess it's every culture with their believes...
Take care.
2006-07-23 03:13:41 · answer #3 · answered by 4eva-pink 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting! I lived in Hungary for a number of years and spent time in Russia and Estonia and never came across such a phenomenon.
2006-07-23 00:31:40 · answer #4 · answered by zsopark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry buddy, tried to find out but in vain.
2006-07-23 00:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by Halle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋