Nearly half of us have a lucky ritual or charm they turn to when they need an extra confidence boost or a stroke of good fortune including avoiding stepping on cracks in the pavement
The good-luck superstitions Brits swear by range from avoiding opening umbrellas indoors and not putting new shoes on the table – to having a whole ‘lucky’ outfit.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 42% have a lucky ritual or charm they turn to when they need an extra confidence boost or a stroke of good fortune.
The top rituals embraced to tempt good luck or keep bad luck at bay include crossing their fingers, knocking on wood and avoiding walking under ladders.
But three in 10 have worn something because it feels lucky – rising to 52% of those under 35.
Following the findings, the ‘luckiest heels ever made’ have been released by Mecca Bingo, which commissioned the research, with the design reimagining a pair of iconic red stilettos.
The updated style features a distinctive two-pronged horseshoe heel, crafted with genuine horseshoe metal fused into the sole.
Other bespoke elements are inspired by the charms and rituals Brits swear by, from dice and shooting stars to 11:11 motifs, with lucky numbers sealed inside miniature bingo balls.
It also emerged 21% of those polled have a full go-to ‘lucky’ outfit they’ll slip on when they want fortune on their side, which rises to 38% of those polled under 35.
While two thirds have also used a good-luck charm or superstition for a specific occasion.
More than one in five believe it helped them pass an exam, while the same number reckon it played a part in landing a job offer.
And 14% even believe it’s helped them scoop a jackpot on games such as bingo, according to the survey conducted via OnePoll.
The four-leaf clover was named by 26% of those polled as one of their luckiest symbols, while the number seven is considered the luckiest digit by 30%.
Nearly four in 10 always pick up a penny when they spot one and for 15%,, they’re convinced making a wish at 11:11 has helped them out when they needed it most.
Sarah O’Neill, director of innovation at Mecca Bingo, said: “Lucky charms and rituals are synonymous with bingo culture – from players sitting in lucky seats and staying loyal to specific dabber colours to carrying lucky figurines, toys and charms.”
“The Heels of Fortune are our stylish celebration of those beliefs and they’re destined to belong to one Lucky Devil.”
Top 10 things to keep Brits lucky
1. Crossing fingers for good luck
2. Knocking on wood / touching wood to avoid bad luck
3. Avoiding walking under a ladder
4. See a penny, pick it up
5. Choosing specific numbers you believe to be lucky (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries)
6. Avoiding opening umbrellas indoors
7. Avoiding putting new shoes on a table
8. Throwing salt over your left shoulder
9. Avoiding the number 13
10. Avoiding stepping on cracks in the pavement