14 C The Times of India
Elections 2026Europe / The Times of India
Across cultures, fear of unlucky dates reflects shared anxieties shaped by local beliefs. Western traditions link Friday the 13th to Christian and Norse lore, while Spain fears Tuesday the 13th, Italy Friday the 17th, and parts of East Asia avoid the number four. In India, the number 13 is sometimes associated with Rahu, symbolising cosmic disruption.
An Indian vegetarian's complaint about limited options at a Dutch McDonald's sparked debate on food norms and consumer expectations. While India boasts extensive vegetarian menus, abroad, options can be scarce, leading to frustration for the country's large vegetarian population. This highlights a cultural clash between India's vegetarian-centric infrastructure and meat-dominant Western markets.