Why empty bottles should always be removed from the table: an explanation
SSPDaily has prepared an article about why empty bottles should be removed from the table. Find out the reasons why they should never be put on the table.
The origins of this superstition date back to the Patriotic War of 1812. When in 1814, with the capture of Paris by the allied forces, military operations finally ceased, the Life Guards Cossack Regiment, the personal guard of Emperor Alexander I, was one of the first to enter the French capital. In order not to cause discomfort to the locals, an order was issued, thanks to which the city quickly returned to normal life: the post office, banks, various establishments, cafes, and restaurants resumed their work.
According to one of the most widespread legends, the hussars of the Cossack Life Guard regiment refrained from putting empty bottles on the table. It was believed that this could lead to the death of one of those present in battle, and thus prevent the group from gathering at the same table again. These superstitions have survived in military circles to this day.
Alternatively, there is a mystical explanation. According to folk beliefs, leaving an empty bottle next to the food on the table will attract evil spirits that can enter the container, make the food unclean, and bring bad luck to the household.
Another common reason for removing empty dishes from the table quickly is related to the idea that emptiness of any kind reduces the well-being of the family. Therefore, people with superstitious tendencies may turn cups and glasses upside down if they are left untouched overnight to ward off such unfavorable effects.