French Superstitions Around Food: What's Better Not to Do

Across France, baguettes are treated with special reverence, beloved by both locals and tourists. However, this staple bread carries a dark history linked to a superstition from the Middle Ages. This old French belief warns against placing baguettes upside down on a table, considering it bad luck. This caution dates back to when executioners, disliked and feared by the public, couldn’t spare the time to visit bakeries in the early mornings. Consequently, bakers would reserve a loaf for them, laying it upside down to signal to the executioners which bread was theirs and to the public which loaf to avoid. This is prepared by SSP.

Notably for executioners, who were entitled to freely grab items in shops, unclaimed bread was also turned upside down. People believed these loaves harbored a hunger curse. Therefore, if a baguette was mistakenly placed upside down, one could lift the curse by carving a cross on its flat side.

Although the tradition largely pertains to baguettes now, it likely encompassed all types of bread originally, as baguettes didn’t emerge until the 1800s, well after the Middle Ages. Despite the connection not aligning historically, the superstition persists, with advice recommending inverted baguettes never be left in bakeries, markets, or homes to avoid any bad luck.

Consider the subtle rules at dinner tables and gatherings, another superstition discourages gifting knives to friends or family as it signifies terminating the relationship. To mitigate this bad omen, the recipient is encouraged to "buy" the knife with a small amount of money, transforming the gift into a purchase.

When cheering with French wine lovers, a specific etiquette persists — clink glasses with everyone and always make eye contact. This practice is said to express appreciation for one's companions and the wine itself, bringing good luck. Never cheer someone with water or a non-alcoholic drink, as this is viewed as inviting misfortune.

Additionally, hosting dinner with 13 guests is avoided for resembling the Last Supper's unlucky guests, as Judas, the betrayer, was the thirteenth participant. Likewise, spilling salt symbolizes impending conflict. The French tradition to counteract this is tossing a pinch of the spilt salt over one's left shoulder, following Christian associations to bad omens tied to Judas.