"Happy Ice Cream" - The Art of Jinxing in Japan

[mopedronin]

I passed one of my (Japanese) coworkers in a tight area between desks today and we both said 'Sumimasen' (Excuse me) at the same moment. The first thought that came to my mind immediately after was 'Jinx!' I was rather delighted that I had dredged up that old childhood memory that I wanted to share it with her. However, I had no idea if there was a

Comments

[mamapduck]

That is awesome! I'm going to start shouting "Happy Ice Cream" at appropriate moments. :)

[iamdollface]

Interesting... while we used "jinx" pretty often as kids, it was only as an adult that I encountered the "Jinx, now buy me _____" thing. Our version involved the looser of the jinx standoff not being allowed to talk until someone said their name. This meant my sister (always the winner) would tell anyone around not to say my name. Surprisingly, my mother always went along with this, but hey she was a little sadistic. I like the happy ice cream version better.

[mopedronin]

Ah yes, I remember the name thing too. My sister and I would do that for hours on end.

[petermarcus]

A jinx in general (in English) means a bad luck kinda thing -- like a minor curse, which would translate well into Asian philosophy, from what I understand. A black cat crossing your path is a jinx.

The "happy ice cream" thing is fun, though. It's really interesting that there might be a "happy fortune" for synchronicity in two completely different cultures.

[mopedronin]

Yeah, I explained it the same way, it's a curse.

Actually, it's not so much that it's a happy thing (though it wasn't a curse either), just that there is the chance that they are happy because they can solicit the ice cream from someone.

[lownote]

Just had to add that a black cat crossing your path is considered good luck in these parts (UK)

[mopedronin]

no way!!!!!!!!

[crystalplumage]

Do you say Happy Ice Cream in Japanese, or English ?

ureshii ai-su kuremu .. ??

[mopedronin]

You say Happy Ice Cream as-is. =)

[crystalplumage]

~nods~
Thank you ..this is a new one for me.,.
interesting..

[agntprovocateur]

so very cute!