Spitting on People can be a Blessing!

Katerina Vati (Greece)

I was walking around the SJSU campus the other day and a mother holding a beautiful baby was walking toward me.  My first, automatic reaction was to do what most Greek people do and that is to pretend that I am spitting at the baby while saying the following: Ftou-ftou-ftou na min se matiasw,  which translates into something like: “Ftou-ftou-ftou (spitting sound)! I hope I will not give you the evil eye!” The best way to describe the above Greek custom is by referring this website:”www.in2greece.com”

The Evil Eye is a kind of negative power we all more or less carry within ourselves. If we stare too long on a person, animal or even an object we may inflict damage through this power. It is often totally unconsciously, but the staring in itself often comes from admiration or envy, which are perfect channels for the Evil Eye.  If you want to pay someone a compliment you can ward off the Evil Eye you might be sending by spitting three times at them. It won't give you a popularity price, but many believe it works.

Another way of protecting one’s self from the Evil Eye is by wearing the famous Mediterranean blue color stone, which sometimes depicts an eye.

Although now, you have an idea why I would “spit” on the baby, I still think the mother would have thought I am crazy!  I will tell you one thing: People’s customs can be really “interesting!”