![Friday, October 13 is a day some people fear [Image via pixabay.com]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/12/660x290/b_502x220x82/friday-october-13-is-a-day-some-people-fear-image-pixabaycom_1628237.jpg "Friday, October 13 is a day some people fear [Image via pixabay.com]")
Some people dread Friday the 13th more than any other date on the calendar. That's because they think it is an unlucky day. Millions of people in the world fear the date because they think something bad will happen to them. They don't make any plans on that particular day, and they stay home even though accidents and other bad things could happen at home as well as away from home. It is true that some bad things have happened on Friday the 13th, but some bad things have happened other days as well.
Unlucky day
Friday the 13th occurs at least once every year.
Sometimes during a calendar year, the date happens twice or three times. Friday, October 13 is the last time it will happen this year. It hasn't happened since January. The next times will be in April and July 2018.
Some people are not phased by the date, but an estimated 17 to 21 million people suffer from a fear when the 13th falls on a Friday because of the superstitions surrounding it, according to the North Carolina Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute.
People think the number 13 is such an unlucky number that many cities do not have a 13th Street. Some high-rise buildings, hospitals, and hotels avoid having a 13th floor or the number 13 on rooms. Many airports do not have a gate 13, and airplanes do not have a row 13.
Consequences of the date
People fear the date so much that they do not travel, get married, buy a house, or make any major decisions. The late Donald Dossey, historian and founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute, shared that companies usually lose from $800 or $900 million in business on that one day alone because people will not fly, shop, or do business as they would on any other day.
TheKnot.com reported that fewer couples get married on what they think is the unlucky day. Since there is not much business, some wedding venues offer special discounts so couples will book their weddings on Friday the 13th.
Some good things happen on that date because people tend to be extra careful. For instance, the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics revealed that fewer traffic accidents happen during that time period.
Reports of fire and theft were also lowered.
While some people in the United States fear the day, it is not considered unlucky in every country. Tuesday the 13th in Spain is considered to be an unlucky day. Italians fear Friday the 17th instead. Do you fear Friday the 13th, or do you go about your business as usual?
