Title: Not Getting a Haircut (Poland)

General Information About Item:

• Customary Folklore: Pre-test custom, superstition
• Language: English
• Country of Origin: Poland
• Informant: EW
• Date Collected: 11/07/21

Informant Data:  EW is a Senior at Dartmouth College from Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He attended Liggett Academy in Michigan and is the son of Polish parents.

Contextual Data:

• Cultural Context: EW shared this piece of folklore with me in an in-person interview. He mentioned that his family and other Polish families he is close with are very superstitious, especially when it comes to one’s education. The informant also explained that his siblings follow this superstition to the same extent that he does. 
• Social Context: EW took part in this superstition all throughout his childhood. He became so attached to it that even now, in college, he makes sure to follow it. 

Item: 

• In Polish culture, one is not supposed to cut their hair at least a week before an important exam because it is a sign of cutting off the knowledge that you need to retain for the exam.

Associated File

Transcript:

• “I remember when I was younger I thought my mom was being so weird not letting me get a haircut before I would take my finals. I slowly began to buy into it and now would never get a haircut before a big exam or interview.”

Informant’s Comments:

• The informant noted that he has told many of his peers about this superstition and that once they also began to follow it, they also started to strictly follow it. 

Collector’s Comments:

• I found this superstition to be entertaining but also rational in a way. I see and understand the reasoning behind not cutting one’s hair. However, I am not too sure if I will be following this superstition myself.

Collector’s Name: Claire Macedonia

Tags/Keywords:

• Superstition 
• Polish 
• Haircuts