Superstitions and Etiquette in Puerto Rico

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 in Puerto Rico. It is important because this type of understanding can benefit business relationships. Moreover the lack of this knowledge can devastate any possibility of any relationship, should something be done that is seen as offensive or that causes bad luck. For example, there is a casino in Las Vegas that constructed an entrance sculpted as a lion’s mouth. A large amount of high rollers the frequent these Las Vegas casinos are Chinese. The casino did not do the research of the culture of China that walking into a lion’s mouth was seen as bad luck. Should sufficient research have been done, the casino would not have lost a large amount of business from this entrance. This is just one example of the importance of knowing the superstitions and proper business etiquette of other nations.

Superstitions

Puerto Rico has many similar superstitions as the United States, as well some that are not as common. 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 believed that left handed people are not allowed into heaven. These are just a few of the many superstitions that are widely believed in Puerto Rico.

Proper Etiquette

Etiquette in Puerto Rico, like superstitions, is similar