Without Realizing It, People Think Washing Their Hands Can Cure Bad Luck?

Do you know the superstition about washing your hands for good luck? It's an old belief that you can put bad luck behind you and start with a clean slate by washing your hands.

--It's probably related to the phrase 'to wash your hands of it' . . . when you don't want to be associated with the bad consequences of something.

--Well apparently, without realizing it . . . people take it literally.

--A study at Hong Kong University had students bet real money on a game of chance. After a few games, some people could wash their hands and some couldn't. Then, they got to bet on a few more games.

--The researchers found that people who got to wash their hands after losing streaks bet almost TWICE as much as people who didn't get to wash their hands.

--The researchers say that we subconsciously believe that washing our hands really CAN remove bad luck . . . even though we would all say that's ridiculous.

(Wall Street Journal)