I get the bad luck superstition, but handing someone a closed knife is just safer. The idea that handing someone an open knife shows more respect is stupid.
I’ve had someone hand me an open knife and accidentally stab me with it. The whole point of it closing is to reduce the risk of getting cut.
Agreed with you.
In Europe, there’s a superstition that gifting a knife can “cut” or sever a relationship. To avoid this, the person receiving the knife must give a coin—usually just a small one—back to the giver. This act symbolically “pays” for the knife, turning it into a purchase rather than a gift, and preventing any bad luck or harm to the friendship or relationship.
It’s blend of practicality, tradition, and superstition.
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I get the bad luck superstition, but handing someone a closed knife is just safer. The idea that handing someone an open knife shows more respect is stupid.
I’ve had someone hand me an open knife and accidentally stab me with it. The whole point of it closing is to reduce the risk of getting cut.
Agreed with you. In Europe, there’s a superstition that gifting a knife can “cut” or sever a relationship. To avoid this, the person receiving the knife must give a coin—usually just a small one—back to the giver. This act symbolically “pays” for the knife, turning it into a purchase rather than a gift, and preventing any bad luck or harm to the friendship or relationship.
It’s blend of practicality, tradition, and superstition.
I also know about this superstition. It’s apparently pretty widespread