How often do you find yourself saying those three words ‘just in case’? Water by the bed just in case you get thirsty in the night. An extra layer on a walk just in case it’s needed (you can always take it off). A full biscuit tin just in case unexpected guests arrive. A spare pair of knickers in your handbag…girls. Sounding familiar? The list goes on and on.
It’s another of those funny human traits that we’ve adopted over time and we all do it. I got in the car the other night after babysitting. It was icy and dark to make the atmosphere that bit more scary, but in reality I was just being a wimp. The house that I was at was huge, had lots of security and is located in a tiny little village in Cambridgeshire so regardless, the likeliness of my fears being real was very low.
However, I was still convinced someone had got in my car while I’d been inside and that they were ready to kill. So adamant that I felt the need to shine my phone torch through the back seat to see if anyone had climbed in, ready to stab me on the journey home. I then got in, sat with the engine on in attempt to de-ice the vehicle and was constantly checking back, despite having already checked once, to see that nobody was hiding right under the seat where I couldn’t see them.
It’s always funny during times like Christmas or periods of bad weather conditions when people flock to the supermarkets to buy everything just in case. Or when entertaining, the amount of extra bottles of this and that that we buy just in case so and so has a drink, though they’ll probably be driving. Going for a wee before bed in case you need it in the night. Or before the cinema, or long car journeys, or whenever leaving the house to do anything really, let’s be honest. A brolly in the bag in case it rains.
Most of these make total sense and, though an example of human paranoia, they can be forgiven. Some instances however, are totally bizarre. For example, buying extra birthday presents and having the odd spare card, for both girl and boy, in case you forget someone’s birthday and need an emergency ‘little something’. Does this not defeat the whole generosity and thought behind the giving of cards and gifts. The point being that you went out of your way and openly thought of them on this special occasion. That’s what it’s meant to show, not that you have a sneaky stash that you can pounce on, say ‘that’ll do’ and give to anybody that you’ve forgotten.
Superstitions are another peculiar one and I’m the worst for letting these control me. Never in my life have I walked under a ladder, I always salute lone Magpies at the side of the road and no way will I step on three drains on the pavement. In fact I feel so passionately that this will bring me bad luck that I have in the past launched myself into people in order to avoid the horrid things.
Another one that I can’t shake is when I’m watching tele or listening to the radio and if the volume isn’t on an even number then my mind goes berserk. I can’t concentrate until I’ve changed it. There is absolutely no logic behind this action and I realise this, but I can’t help myself.
So why? Why do we hone in on the bad luck these irrelevant actions will bring. Why do we touch wood for good luck or feel blessed when a black cat crosses our path. I don’t really think anything will happen but my brain tells me otherwise so I just tend to go with it.
As I said, many of the above are logical and merely show how prepared and organised we can be, others just reek irrationality. It’s a question I’m throwing out there to which I certainly know no answer, but why do we do all of these things ‘just in case’? I know I’ll continue to do so and so will you.