5월1일(목) 1. Jealous hubby 2. Superstitions

<A name="[문서의 처음]"></A>  Jealous hubby    Dear Annie: My sister won dancing lessons for two. Her husband couldn't go because of his work schedule, so she asked me. I agreed and asked my husband if he'd like to take the classes along with us, but he wasn't interested. Sis and I really enjoyed the lessons. Since we weren't a couple, we were paired with different men who didn't have regular partners. I danced several times with "Joe" and we made a good team. Another session is scheduled to begin, and Joe wants me to sign up as his partner so we can enter competitions at local studios. Here's the problem: My sister isn't able to attend the next session because she is helping her daughter for a few weeks. My husband is adamantly opposed to my staying in the class with Joe now that my sister won't be there. I explained that all the lessons and competitions are held in studios with several other people present and it won't be any different than the lessons I've been taking all along. I told my husband he could come and watch, but anything that doesn't include a football doesn't interest him. I am a 46-year-old grandmother of two. Joe is 12 years younger and in a relationship with someone. I've offered to introduce my husband to Joe, but he says no. At first I was upset because I enjoy the dancing so much. Now I am furious that my husband doesn't trust me. Should I go ahead with the lessons anyway or sit at home in front of the TV with my mate? -- Ready To Dance with the Stars Dear Ready: It's unfair of your husband to object when he won't take the time to attend a lesson or meet Joe. Are you justified to continue? Sure, if you don't mind making Hubby jealous and think you don't respect his wishes. Or you can simply wait until your sister is available to rejoin the sessions. It might help to put your dancing shoe on the other foot and ask yourself how you'd feel if he danced exclusively with another woman. Then make up your own mind. Dear Annie: I am 17 years old and my brother is two years older. When he started dating "Kim," everything was fine, but as I got to know her better, it became clear that she is just using my brother. I asked my mom what I should do and she said I should keep my mouth shut. Well, my brother asked to borrow money so I lent him some. Then I found out he was using the money to take Kim out. She knows he doesn't have the funds to take her out every night, but she always insists they go somewhere. Yesterday, my brother yelled at me because I left a message with my opinion of her on Kim's answering machine. What should I do if he doesn't listen to reason? -- Confused Dear Confused: You mean well, but you have to stop interfering. As hard as it is to watch your brother make a mistake, this isn't your business and he will resent and reject whatever you suggest. Don't lend him any more money, but otherwise, your mother is right. Say nothing. You won't win. 2008.04.21  <A name="[문서의 처음]"></A> Superstitions    Whether they realize it or not, most people are at least a little superstitious. Of course, some people are more superstitious than others, and most of them don't mind admitting it. But since superstitions are culturally-based, everyone growing up in a certain culture is exposed to the same irrational beliefs. Just like basic attitudes and beliefs, superstitions vary from culture to culture. Sometimes people don't even realize that their customs are based on ancient superstitions. One good example is Valentine's Day. On Valentine's Day we send cards or gifts of flowers or chocolates(depending on culture) to our sweethearts, but that custom is based on a British Isles superstition dating back to the middle ages. Beginning in the 1400s, young women drew names from a box to find out who they should marry. The name (Valentine) that a girl picked was thought to be a "good omen" and the man she should marry. By the 1800s men were also choosing Valentines from a box, but they had to pick the same name three times for their choice to be valid. If that happened, it was a sure sign that they should marry that person. Another superstition connected with Valentine's Day was that the first person of the opposite sex that a young woman or man saw before 12o'clock that day would be their Valentine. So those who didn't want to have their future mate chosen in such a random way would stay bed until noon, refusing to go outside! Some superstitions have their clear cultural links. For example, in Asian countries where women have always been treated as being inferior to men, it's considered bad luck for a store owner if the first customer of the day is female. The number 4 is also considered bad luck because its Chinese character is pronounced the same as the word for death. Other superstitions are more difficult to explain. For example, in Eastern European countries it's considered bad luck to show a baby his or her own face in a mirror because it might scare the soul out of the baby. Most superstitions around the world seem to be totally illogical with no basis in fact whatsoever. Why is a 4-leaf considered to be good luck? Just because it's rare? Why is a black cat thought to be bad luck in North America but not in Asia? Why is black associated with evil and white with goodness? We're not supoosed to be able to explain superstitions. If we could, we wouldn't able to call them superstitions anymore! Q1) Do you believe that palm readers can know about a person just by looking at his or her hand? Do you think that any of it is true? Why or why not? Q2) Why are some people superstitious while others are not? Does it depend on a person's background or experiences in life? Q3) What are some superstitions that you know and tell whether you believe them or not. Q4) What do you think of our Valentine's Day customs now that you know they are based on old superstitions? Does it change your opinion of Valentine's Day?