Puerto Rico Superstitions

Superstitions and Etiquette in Puerto Rico
University of Phoenix
Week Two Superstitions and Etiquette in Puerto Rico
Description of Topic Puerto Rico is the neighbor to the south of Florida. There is a growing population of Puerto Ricans in the United States. There is also a large United States interest in Puerto Rico. It is important to understand the culture of our neighbor should the United States wish to continue a positive relationship as well as globalization. Understanding the superstitions and the proper business etiquette in Puerto Rico can serve as a glimpse into the culture of the island.
Importance of the Topic There is an importance of understanding and taking a look at the superstitions and proper business etiquette
Some of the superstitions that are shared with the United States include black cats and walking under ladders bringing bad luck. Another similar one is that the number 13 can bring bad luck as well. Most high rise buildings in Puerto Rico do not have a thirteenth floor. The floor numbers jump from twelve to fourteen. Also, Tuesday the 13th is the equivalent of the United States Friday the 13th, however many in Puerto Rico view both days as a day full of bad luck. Some other interesting superstitions begin on New Years. These superstitions begin with throwing a bucket of water out the front door at midnight. To many in Puerto Rico, this symbolizes throwing out the all of the bad events of the previous year and emptying out the past year for a fresh new year. Following this New Years superstition involves the first twelve days of the year. Each day is believed to correspond with the month and how the weather will be. For example, should it rain on the third day of the year, it is believed that March will bring many rain showers. Should it be windy on the fifth day of the year, it is believed that there will be many wind storms in May. Also in May, it is not uncommon to see many people walking throughout the streets on the first rain of May. It is believed to be good luck to take a stroll in the first showers of May. One interesting superstition is that it is
One example is in how to motion a person over to you. To call someone over with your palm up is considered rude and impolite. The proper way is to do so with your palm down. Open criticism, aggressiveness and greed are also behaviors that are viewed as offensive. Many men will stare at women walking down the street, which is not considered impolite, however it is improper for women to make prolonged eye contact with men that they do not know. Women also do not take the name of the man they marry. It is typical that the children will have both the man and woman's last name, the man's first, followed by the woman's. These are some of the etiquette rules that are important to know in order to establish and maintain a working business relationship with Puerto