Only one, learned years ago in a fishing village in East Asia: complaining about good fortune.
Have a great catch in your nets today?
Aaiiee, my nets are empty, my children will starve, my wife will leave me!
Great harvest?
Look at how brown my fields are! Even the insects are starving here now!
The idea is that the gods will hear if you boast of good fortune, and take some away; if you are just silent, they become suspicious; but if you complain, you blend in with the great chorus rising from the earth, and they take no special notice.
Besides, it's fun, over rounds of rice wine, to see who can whine the most original psalm of misfortune.
Also, I bragged about how lucky I had been at a casino one night and got mugged on the way home.
Edit: I also avoid killing spiders for pragmatic reasons.
This message has been edited by Omnivorous, 09-01-2005 09:59 PM
This message has been edited by Omnivorous, 09-01-2005 11:42 PM