Some people choose to celebrate the number 13
Today is Friday the Thirteenth – the ONLY one in 2008. This is the 165th day of the year with 201 days remaining. Long considered an unlucky day by English, French and Portuguese speaking countries, studies show that may not be the case at all.
A study published on Thursday by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics (CVS) showed that fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays.
“I find it hard to believe that it is because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home, but statistically speaking, driving is a little bit safer on Friday 13th,” CVS statistician Alex Hoen told the Verzekerd insurance magazine.
But I still wouldn’t tempt fate by walking under a ladder today. This Friday some people will be so paralyzed with fear they simply won’t get out of bed. Others will steadfastly refuse to fly on an airplane, buy a house, or act on a hot stock tip. Personally, I choose to view this day as lucky since it only occurs this once in the entire year.