“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. Mom Really Does Know Best 3WIVES’ TALES PROVEN TRUE illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. HEARTBURN MEANS A HAIRY BABY It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THE WEATHER Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints. GARLIC CURES COLDS For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat
THE ART OF A COMPLIMENT
When it comes to giving and receiving compliments, studies indicate that Americans are some of the most interesting conversationalists. Despite the unfortunate stereotype of the rude and boisterous American abroad, Americans at home might be some of the most anxiously polite people on Earth. What is at the root of this anxiety? According to linguist Chi Luu, it’s the art of the compliment. You see, the conventions associated with politeness often reveal a culture’s values. Individualism, self- made success, hard work, personal appearance, and material possessions are proven American values, and they are reinforced through the frequency of compliments. Researchers found that compliments are used in American English far more than in any other language. Americans seem to enjoy trading compliments and will substitute them for other acts of speech such as greetings, thank-yous, or even apologies. It’s not unusual for people to like hearing something good about themselves, but, surprisingly, compliments in this fashion are uniquely American. In many other cultures, compliments on attributes like your personal appearance, your outfit, or your car are considered to be made in bad taste. That being said, while Americans are the quickest to give compliments, they often struggle the most with receiving them. Well-meaning parents teach their children to say thank you when someone compliments them, but the common practice among adults is to reject, deflect, or downplay compliments they receive. Interestingly, one researcher found that American English speakers only accept compliments with a simple “thank you” about a third of the time, which is extremely low in comparison to other English-speaking countries. While compliments have become a necessity in American culture, here at Janet Davis Cleaners, we are thrilled when customers call in or write reviews to compliment our services, showing they genuinely like the help we can provide. In fact, we consider referrals to be the ultimate compliment, and we aren’t afraid to say thank you. So, to all of you that have referred us to your friends, family, or even a stranger on the street, thank you so much for the best compliment ever! The Ultimate Thank You
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