It is not a priori a rule of decorum at mealtime, such as the prohibition to put your elbows on the table, or to pick your teeth with your fork. A 2008 poll indicated that 41% of French people said they were superstitious, but we also learned that almost one in two French people avoids putting the campaign loaf or baguette on their back, because it brings bad luck.
If you do that, there will necessarily be someone to put the bread right side up. But if we fear that it attracts the evil eye on the guests, it is because of a very old custom. In the Middle Ages, public executions were frequent.
Executioners were called in, as feared as they were hated. On days when he cut off heads, the executor didn’t necessarily have time to…
Find the rest of “We learn every day” by clicking on the player at the top of this page or subscribe to the podcast for free.