Neil deGrasse Tyson Fear of Numbers

[SeveredFootLoki]

My hotel doesn't have a 13th floor because of superstition, but come on man, people on the 14th floor, you know what floor you're really on. "What room are you in?" "1401" "No you're not! Jump out the window, you will die earlier!" --- Mitch Hedberg R.I.P.

[keshaz12]

I was born in the 13th of april...

D:

[courtesyclerk]

oh man, i love me some Sinbad!

[TheSushiSush]

well im a triskaidekaphobic...

[Rdburnzy]

In Ireland, I know that when building housing estates if they don't skip number 13 it usually has to be sold for a few thousand Euro cheaper. Morons.

[MilkyMayo]

only one kind of number scares me. The kind found in a calculus problem...

[chaoticflanagan]

I've known about buildings "lacking" a 13th floor for some time now. However, I've always wondered if they built a 13th floor and the elevator skips it, or they simply label the 13th floor the 14th floor.

[RedHeroe1]

Don't get started is neil's catch frase xD 

[hdzsound]

the street adress of the appartement block next to where I live is 666

[NeedForMadnessSVK]

My apartment is also number 13. But i didnt know that till about a month ago. I lived(and i am still living) in that apartment for 16 years, and nothing bad ever happened there

[MomoTheBellyDancer]

The only numbers that frighten me are prime numbers.

[siyrean]

you think that's bad, try to find a 4th floor in asia. We're not the only ones that do it.

[chibiariel]

@siyrean - That's in Korea, isn't it? It's because the word sounds like the word for 'death' and they are...up-tight? about death. Not sure what the right word is, but they get very depressed when thinking about it and therefore avoid it. This is, as far as I know, a very Oriental Asian thing. In Japan, 'しね' ('die') is incredibly offensive to people if you say it. It's like if you say 'go die' in the US, it's rude, but not nearly so rude and nasty a thing to say as it is in Japan.

[tpstrat14]

The first video I watched of Tyson was him explaining black holes. It was very informing. Since then, gone down hill fast. The more videos I watch, the more it seems like all he's interested in is resurrecting superstition in order to kill it again. Why not just let it die and educate people on real physics? Let people believe whatever superstitions they want to, Tyson. Let it go. Don't waste your mind on this stuff. You only fuel the fire....

[orpaz1991]

@tpstrat14 He talks on many informative science movies on the history channel, about the creation of live, universe, also about evolution and many other interesting subjects. Search for abiogenesis on youtube.

[Godraideen]

13 is my lucky number

[KinaNafasi]

hahahaahha Science Comedian if there was such a thing. Tyson would be it. lol

[AssistingHealth]

PROTIP: christians usually don't make their name "christian[numbers, letters, etc]

which is why they are so talented at making you angry....

they hold your views so they best know how to embody what angers you

[IoEstasCedonta]

I think it's quite reasonable to fear negative numbers on financial ledgers.

(Seriously, though, what's the substantive difference between parentheses in that context and a minus sign? It's just an issue of notation, and the same way parentheses would get in the way of grouping in math, dashes could cause confusion on a ledger.)

[deemon8]

I fear that this country will never overcome religion and other superstition...

[Polydynamix]

The Parenthesis in ledges instead of negative is actually for a reason. When someone is totaling a column of numbers, if they miss a "-" and add where they should subtract it would be a complete pain in the ass. The "(number)" format is to make sure that doesn't happen.

[07foxmulder]

this guy makes a good point

but he's the ultimate douche bag.

[profsat5]

My auto tag ends in 666. Strange stares from people.

[Tunafrisk]

I got knocked for points on an Excel spreadsheet I did for a class a few weeks ago. The results gave me negative numbers in (2041), which I changed to actual negative numbers, -2041. I was told not to use this, lol

[Exmech2]

@Tunafrisk The nomenclature for bookkeeping was to parend the debits so they sttod out more on the sheet. The problem isn't one of a "fear" of negative numbers, but more occupational tradition like when programmers draw a line through a zero, or bottom bar a 1.

[keithrose4227]

My apartment number is 13, and they told me nobody wanted to move in here forever because of it!!!!! isnt that crazy? whats wrong with people

[AegisNova]

@keithrose4227 Tell us how things are from the "other side." We weren't sure you could communicate! : D

[TrueMetis]

@keithrose4227 Hope you managed to use that to get your rent reduced.

[FHomeBrew]

@keithrose4227 Were you able to strike a deal for that fact? Might as well try huh? :D

[thebigfunny]

@keithrose4227 did you get a discount? ;)

[bboybram]

@keithrose4227

HAHAa aKnock on both neighbours doors and say your living next a number thirtheen. And tell them to leave. Rent all three and make yourself a triplex apartment. And ask less rent. LOL

[Greggs41]

The negative number bit is bullshit.

Hotels call it B, SB, SSB, because it sounds more classy than -1 -2 -3

And financial documents use (1000) to denote -1000 because a () is less likely to be misprinted, less likely to fade or be scratched off paper than -. The same way engineers use 2k7 Ohm instead of 2.7 k Ohm

[rpm297]

Neil Degrasse Tyson: Astrophysicist by day, stand-up comic by night.

[SubTachyon]

@rpm297 Other way around actually.

[TheChevyFerrari]

Tridecaphobeaphobia: Fear of people who are afraid of the number 13.

[23Tev]

And 666 is also JUST A NUMBER!!

[roadkill1001]

Where is the full speech of all this show? or can I only see it in pieces

[Toddgpoole]

I work in accounting. The reason you don't use negative numbers in accounting has nothing to do with fear. The reasons are a lot more complicated than that. There is no such thing as negative money.

[StandingRedPanda]

Lol, I do every superstitious bad thing and nothing bad happens because of it. The thing I do everyday is standup with the left leg (I'm right-handed btw). I do everything with the left one, put on shoes, step in/on with left, and guess what, nothing ever happens. If it does, it would be statistically insignificant, unless if you have bad luck and Wile the coyote accidentally drops a thousand anvils onto you :O

[longfootbuddy]

americans should fear their tyrant government, that has transformed people from their own masters, to slaves of government...actually americans should fear the fact that they are so stupid and brainwashed, they arent even aware of whats happened...but instead, americans will say, "number 13 is unlucky/lucky", and, "love it or leave it buddy, move to rwanda", or, "get a life loser, youre ignorant and neil is a science god...science pink unicorn"..youre all dumbies that think you know it all

[MrTriplelogic]

This guy is Bill Cosby and Carl Sagan rolled into one. lol too funny.

[dudev]

@MrTriplelogic

Billions and billions,,, of Jello puddin pops in the universe. I like it.

[DarkZholt]

30646 views

2 more and it will be our DOOM 0_0!!!

[supergsx]

I think the fact that buildings don't have floor 13 is a simple fun little tradition. Like Santa Claus. There is nothing to get angry about. Fiction is fun.

[Christian121y]

@supergsx The point is,there are actual dumbasses who believe in this shit.Hence this is bad for humanity since these idiots might pass that bullshit superstition onto their children.

[supergsx]

@Christian121y There will always be people who believe in things that seem irrational. That will never go away. They simply won't listen to you. So what are you going to do? Kill them??

[Christian121y]

@supergsx Did I say I was going to kill them idiot?DID I???

No I don't think so......

Obviously I was talking about educating them so they wouldn't be stupid anymore.

Call me a radical(sarcasm).

Unless you're one of these fools who honestly think that empricism and facts are just concepts created by heterosexual christian middle class white males,in which case I pity you.

[supergsx]

@Christian121y I was joking. You're too offensive, just like everyone else on your side. Unlike you, and your "enemies", I have no side. The argument itself is for low-life fools. Why? Because they WON'T listen to you, no matter how much you want to educate them. They have been so wrapped up in themselves for so long that they have become convinced that they are right, and NOTHING can help them. The only solution is to live in peace and escape this RETARDING argument.

[supergsx]

@Christian121y And therefore, the only solution that you have left, if you are so fanatically committed to this rampage of enlightenment (just like they are), is to kill them. And they have that same vendetta. So, your options are to FIGHT THEM or live in peace and not worry about such an idiotic argument THAT CAN ONLY LEAD TO WAR.

[Christian121y]

@supergsx Or I could them just my own reason to convince them otherwise.That ummmmm you know,the number 13 isn't magical right?If idiots start believing in minor bullshit,then major bullshit starts to seem appealing.I was only agreeing with the point made by Neil whereby there really are ACTUAL thinking human beings who are chronically terrified of the number after 12 and before 14.That kind of shit is just downright bad for the economy.

[Christian121y]

@supergsx Now if you're willing to simply santaclause the issue and claim this as tradition albeit a really really really silly one then by all means do so.Doesn't mean it's not bullshit anymore.

[supergsx]

@Christian121y Well I don't think it is as specific as that. It's not just about fear of the number 13... It's about superstition in general. And if you want to take it further, you can say that religion is full of superstition, so this is about religion. Of course you're not going to start a war with people who are afraid of 13 or 23. But if you generalize this whole thing, it is PROBABLE that you will start a war with religious people. MAYBE there is a way to teach them. I have tried before...

[supergsx]

@Christian121y but I never seem to have any progress. They are convinced that they are right, and enlightenment is evil to them. Perhaps a very intelligent psychologist can come up with a method of getting through to them... But we cannot depend on that. I take back what I said before. Don't ignore them, because they are currently building up armies to kill us even if we don't fight at all... It's so hard to find the answer. Either go to war and kill them all, somehow find a way to teach them,

[supergsx]

@Christian121y or ignore them and wait to die.

[Christian121y]

@supergsx Santa Claus Santa Clause.

[stefanrozman]

Attention People on The 14th Floor! you know what floor you're really on! If jump out of the 14th floor hoping to kill yourself, you will die earlier!

[AstralPossibilities]

ROFL I bout shit my pants laughing at the two highest rated comments above!!! ^.^ They are both sooooooooooo fucking funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!! ^.^

[xcellken1]

The reason that parenthesis are used for negative numbers in accounting is cause a "-" sign is often overlooked. Its much easier to see parenthesis. It has nothing to do with fear of negative numbers

[jean0609]

Re parenthesis in financial statements, this is not because we bean counters are afraid of negative numbers. It's because of the way debits and credits work. An increase in income is a credit, an item in parenthesis that looks negative to some people. an increase in expenses is a debit, a "positive" number.  We just march to a different drummer, that's all.

[zerobeat18]

I don't know that the avoidance of negative numbers is a superstition like the avoidance of the number 13 is. Many buildings do label the underground as B1, B2, B3 etc.. which do go in the same direction as negative numbers. And using parentheses for negative numbers in accounting makes it harder to mistake it for positive numbers back when it was all handwritten. It makes no sense in computer accounting, since the arithmetic isn't done by humans anyway.

[zerobeat18]

Are these simply old buildings built back when the number 13 was literally thought to be bad luck, and the numbering system still stands, or are there new/recent buildings being built in America without a floor #13? I remember seeing some older buildings here in Canada in the 1970's without a floor #13 and it was totally kooky.

[qaiex]

Sweden, 13th floor? Check!

Win...

[sondano]

It's not necessarily fear. It's just a harmless tradition for fun. there are thousands of other stupid traditions in every area of life like wishing break a leg before someone goes on stage. Everyone knows it doesn't make any sense but they still do it and why not?

[darkemg]

There is an evil number. Want to know what number is the evil one? I can't tell you, but I can leave you a hint...

IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAND!

[lIThorIl]

The reason you put numbers in parentheses instead of putting a - is because it's easier to read as negative and getting debits confused with credits would mess up your whole ledger.

Also in the American system You wouldn't want to jump from 1st floor to -1st floor. In the UK it makes more sense since the ground floor is 0.

[BornOfRoyalBlood]

Was anyone else thinking double rainbow when Neil DeGrasse Tyson said "What does that mean? I don't know... but it scares the hell out of me!".... lol

[darthdan]

I must be lucky to live in europe, never seen such thing in elevators or over 9000 UFO claimed appearances per year. Stuff like this is why europeans sometimes think the common US citizen is plain dumb. Well, it isn't true.. but it still doesn't go well for you.

Well, don't worry about it too much, we also have our problems. I guess in general we're just more skeptic.

[ZukutoBTD]

It's funny cause a few weeks ago I was counting for someone and I missed out 14. And decided it was now 13.10, not 14.

[patataton]

in china number 4 is bad luck, there's no 4, 14, 24... floor in any building, also number 8 is good luck, so a room in 8, 18, 28,... floor in a hotel is more expensive XD

[ConsideratePerson]

@patataton Yeah I noticed that too, but they have negative one for the basement lol.

[darkemg]

@patataton But the Chinese at last have a good explanation for this: the Chinese ideogram for "4" and "death" are similar, and so the ideogram for "8" and "luck".

OK, it's not a GOOD explanation, but...

[Lee038]

@patataton I live in Hong Kong and AFAIK every building I've went into had never skipped a floor.

[lazim1]

well the last thing...in accounting ledgers... is because the paranthesis gives you more of a visual aid during calculation.

[missfontenelle]

im not superstitious, im just a little stitious.

[HollyCaHa]

He looks like a stand up comedian

[mozart20dlubos]

This guy is a complete charlatan. How can anyone who calls themselves an astrophysicist be talking about a subject like this ? What is he, a black preacher ? Shut up and do some physics, you CHARLATAN

[zzzIdividedbyzerozzz]

@mozart20dlubos Astrophysicist can't have fun now?

[trtnec]

@mozart20dlubos Wow, you are that dim that you can't see the bigger picture at all? Half his job is being an astrophysicist, the other half is to teach the young people and ignorant not to listen to the superstitious nonsense their parents, peers and society indoctrinate them with and that science is the way to the truth. Also, you think kids want to be told to memorize equations all day? It has to appeal to them first. And he's not so insecure like you that he can't combine humor with science.

[daTruChosen]

@mozart20dlubos yeah, a black preacher who happens to be an atheist ... you loser. Your racist quips have no place on a scientific forum as this; then again, neither does God but, oh, I forgot, belief in God usually leads to some form of bigotry or another, doesn't it? And I'd bet my bottom nickel you're a dumb ass Christian, aren't you?

[VexT916]

Phobia of numbers = Infinite numeric miscalculations! Fuck!

I think the Six floor should be taken off... why? Cuz fire-engines and their ladders don't exceed the fifth floor! Then again labeling any number in replacement to the cursed sixth floor would result in an infinite cursing of each following number! Damnit! Wait! That is until higher ladders are emplace upon fire-engines... or we get flying vehicles; hell yeah!

But if people began fearing numbers = no progression, fuuucckkk ahaha!

[Arkanoid1212]

In the case of 13 i remeber october 13th of 1307, the day the King of France and the Pope turned in their greed and lust for power on the Knights Templar. Avoiding 13 is more tradition than anything else. 666: i have a problem with people abusing it to show you how smart they are, putting religion in the line. Thats why i always flip the paper and write 999. You should see the faces. I am an atheist btw, simply offended by such uneccesary discrimination, even if its not affecting me personally.

[thisisugh]

My hotel doesn't have a 13th floor because of superstition, but come on man, people on the 14th floor, you know what floor you're really on!

- What room are you in?

- 1401

- No you're not! Jump out of the window, you will die earlier!

If 13 is an unlucky number then so should the letter B be, because B looks like a scrunched together 13!

-- Mitch Hedberg

[CarlosPQ737]

@thisisugh u made my day!!!

[Andreazor]

Superstition is a pestilence on the human mind.

[rivrev65]

Multistory buildings often dont have a 13th floor because thats the floor where the HVAC and other mechanical and electrical things are that make the building 'work'.

[softan]

@rivrev65 HAHA you seriously believe that? One floor above floor 12 is often floor 14 in tall buildings, there is nothing in between there, the ceiling of floor 12 is the floor of the 12th floor.

[Direkin]

Superstition is pretty stupid. It may have some basis if they were consistent across all cultures, but they're completely different. Take Asia for example where the number 4 is unlucky (as it sounds like death). You won't find a 4th floor in any building. The number 8 on the other hand is lucky, which is kind of odd considering it's 2x4, or double death :P

[ABHINAVNR]

Neil is also a scientific standup comic!!!

[ArtisanTony]

you people who get uptight about this stuff are OCD i guess. You have to have you number 13 or you get nervous LOL

[UserNr001]

If we have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 then 14 is the 13th number anyway. And what about 13 in reverse - 31 - is it unlucky, too or is it a lucky number because it's reversed? Are 1 & 3 alone half unlucky? What about 1+3=4? Is 4 unlucky, too? How about 4+4=8, 8+8=16 etc. What about 13+13? Or 13x13 - is 169 most unlucky? Is 333 only half evil and 1332 (666+666) twice evil? 666x666=443556 - most evil? 666x13=8658 - evil & unlucky? Is 999 good or just evil in Australia? LOL

[WhiteLabelRoor]

Haha, yeah man, its pretty ridiculous. Good points.

[skibxskatic]

lol i think 666x666 is pretty unlucky but could you imagine 666^666? that's probably hell.

[cant1be1original]

lol

^_^

[drfoxcourt]

... or 664 (the number of the neighbor of the beast)

[ArtisanTony]

Its not fear its a tradition idiots. I am in the construction industry and there are many traditions we hold and only a few are common knowledge.

[notabook]

It's a tradition spawned from a fear :)

[cant1be1original]

yeah, i didn't see that you already responded to artisan tony

[GronTheMighty]

tradition or not its downright stupid to just skip a number..

Really, how'd it be if everybody left and right just decide to redefine structure sets, grammar, algebra, numerators, colour definitions, ect ect..

What if you get a bill and it says you have to pay your insurance in 11002,4 left sides of walnuts every 6 months from now on 'cuz they decided it?

would you pay in walnuts?

Skipping 13 is as stupid as skipping any other number, letter, or other mutually agreed identifier

[cant1be1original]

it's tradition rooted in fear.

[Vinny0151]

You know I used to laugh because is a lot of asian countries, they don't use the number 4 for the same reason as the 13 thing. But now I just feel silly since even America does it with 13

[technologysucks]

EEK! This video has THIRTEEN thousand views! *screams* *Presses crusifix against the computer screen* *runs*

[BrightAwake]

"Can I buy a vowel?" Neil is the best. He autographed a book for me and was one of the sweetest people I've met.

[Kamatzu]

The World Trade Center had a 13th floor.

JUST SAYIN'.

[frilink]

And look what happened to it...........

[iidontcareeee]

Neg numbers are in parens in accounting to help prevent errors. (After awhile, those -'s look pretty tiny.) Doesn't have anything to do with negophobia.

[neoContraVo]

Hahahaha Realy? I never noticed this.

[Gemmabeta]

I'm not afraid of numbers, multi-variable calculus, on the other hand...

[TAz69x]

lol, that sounded like Daniel Negreanu at the end

[Zay151]

this guy is good in hitting the core of scientific laughter here LOL!

[kropa53]

GOOD POINT TYSON! Man should not fear numbers. Do you ever wonder what is the real reason behind it? SUPERSTITION! Yup that is the real reason why people fear certain numbers.

Now why are people superstitious? People are superstitious because they do not know how to relate to the God, the creator of heaven and earth. In their ignorance they knock on wood or carry a rabbit's paw in their pocket. People who have faith in the true God are not superstitious. Have a nice day!

[MasterHandINC]

Are you a troll?

[Acrimonator]

Religion is a superstition per definition...

[voyagervsbor]

Make three floor number 6's and put them next to each other on that elevator.

[DoctorNumLuck]

I wish someone would make a building with two floor 13s.

[naganokumas]

Is this true?

In America, is it true that you don't include a 13th floor on the panel in your lifts/elevators?

I'm curious.

Is this true?

Dentistsugardustyy makes a good but regrettable point. Hitlerpoop, too.

Please, Americans, tell me that this absurdity is not true.

[JoeFelice]

It's true. Developers know 13th floor offices will be harder to lease and aren't prone to lose money on number activism. But people don't REALLY care. We don't leave out 13's that MAKE us money.

When I was a kid a family moved in across the street to number 13. They changed the number on their mailbox, but the town made them change it back. They were Korean, where the unlucky number is 4, and buildings often lack a 4th floor, but they were afraid of how a 13 on their house would look to us.

[nickmax123]

thats how we roll. ya tall buildings usually dont have a 13th floor

[naganokumas]

That's just bizarre.

Actually ya tall buildings do have a 13th floor, yav just named it the 14th floor.

Thanks for the response.

[SockbatReplica]

Same is true here in Canada no 13th floor.

[Back2BackJack]

It's absolutely true. I don't know about EVERY building, but I've seen it and it's so absurd. All superstition, myth, religion, karma and luck are similar and belief and just as silly.

[carlrs15]

I assure you, it's not : )

[hitlerpoop]

this kind of thing makes you resent humanity.

[dentistsugardusty]

after so much negativity is bestowed upon certain numbers, they may be harmless but you have to consider the consequences of them also being "triggers" of human emotion. even if they are artificial or fabricated triggers, they do just that. trigger or impulse

[pklempt]

yes chasekittens, very solid comment

[ChaseKittens]

Reminds me of Mitch Hedberg's bit about the 13th floor: "Come on, people on the 14th floor, you know what floor you're REALLY on. If you jump out the window you will die EARLIER."

hahahhah. I love Tyson and Hedberg.

[osp80]

that's the first thing i thought too lol

[xRIKTERx]

same here...haha...and anytime i see someone with long hair i say "man, that fucker likes CAKE!"

[ViperRob42]

Oh no, not the 13th floor, gimme 12B or 14A LOL god people are idiots

[chip279]

Why the hell do people fear numbers they are man made they are just a bunch of lines put together to form shapes that we call 5, or 7, or -13 etc.

[kittygirl792]

so that's why we wrote the expences in parenthasies! that's bullshit!

[Entertainmentwf]

Numbers are not that scary. Most number realms are evil lol. Probably the only thing I can think of as evil is Complex Numbers when applied to higher level mathematics in differentials and multiple spaces LOL. But yet I'm a computer science/mathematics guy so I must prove things and use numbers like the back of my hand LOL.

[caltrop69]

Complex numbers are scary...I think they hide under beds and eat young children.

[evidencebasedliving]

CAN I BORROW A VOWEL PLEASE?!

[JohnTraviss]

Probably yes, only to be replaced by other kinds of irrationality.

[JohnTraviss]

Here where i live, they don't have buttons for both 13 and 4. Because in chinese 4 have a similiar pronunciation as death.

[TheRhythmCollection]

Here where i live 6 has the same pronunciation as sex.

[JohnTraviss]

Germany, right? Sechs?

What between fear and sex?

FUNF!!

[TheRhythmCollection]

Norway actually, but its the same thing in Swedish, German and more.

[V4lkz]

new zealand ey

[Slapppppp]

I wonder if those people realize that the 14th is really the 13th, the 15th is really the 14th.....

[RasTmaan]

even Scientist frear negative numbers, The teach people that E= mc^2 even though the real equestion should be

E= +- mc^2. so it is not only the public don't want to use negatives.

[Dangazm]

Didn't Paul Dirac deal with that with the Dirac sea and the explanation for antimatter?

But yeah, yer right.

[RasTmaan]

yes, he did but why are all the physics textbooks show "E = MC^2" instead of "E= -+MC^2?" the Scientific community is the one who is publishing these Text Books and and the Engineers are the one who are Building these Building without a 13th floor or an Elivator with no minus sign to show floors below the ground.This are not the publics fault, it is the Educated people who are doing it. so, Dr. Tyson should not Blame the public/society.

[thezandi]

is this directed towards a commentor, or neil tyson?

[Galactu5]

Can I buy a vowel please? lol

[DinaFelice]

As much as I adore Neil, I must take issue: the use of parentheses rather than negative numbers in accounting ledgers has to do with the fact that it is very easy to miss a negative sign on a page that is already crowded with numbers. Accountants and bookeepers are just trying to make it really obvious whether you are adding money or taking it away (since whether I owe someone money or they owe it to me is a big difference), they are not 'afraid' of negative numbers.

[VicExcelsior]

test

[JuxTaPose117]

Man wheres the whole thing?

[saxmanchiro]

Ahhhh, humans and their frailties. Believing in gods, afraid of black cats, walking under ladders, sidewalk cracks, numbers, etc etc. It's so sad that folks have to live that way.

[nogogma]

Superstition is winning by default in America. Fear of numbers! how about the triple 6 eh ?

666 ???? It is so sad isn't it ?

[thenigotoffthebus]

How apt that there are 13 comments for this video. Oh damn 14 now!

[bignastydragon]

i want to specifically ask for a room which is number 13, or is on the 13th floor.

i like friday the 13th's too, just because others have an irrational aversion to it.

[RationalSkeptic]

I am proud, and a bit smug, of the fact that the building I live has a 13th floor!

A friend once lived in a nearby building which did not have a *FOURTH* floor, and had no suites with *4* anywhere in the suite number.

Why?

I was told that in Chinese, the word for the number *4* is a homonym for the word *death*, and as such is considered "unlucky" by many Chinese. Presumably the bldg was originally marketed to a Chinese audience (this is in Toronto).

Makes me defiantly wish I had suite 1344

[riversonthemoon]

"I was told that in Chinese, the word for the number *4* is a homonym for the word *death*"

Yep. Just a different tone.

They take the fear of the number four far more seriously than we do thirteen. If you are waiting in a hospital that has a number ticketing system, they skip over the number four. And there are no patients on the fourth floor. They still have one, though. Just use it for something else. Otherwise the fifth floor patients could reason that they are actually on the fourth.

[ACTheFirst]

What makes me laugh is the fact that people think that relabeling it will make a difference! Whatever you choose to call it, it's still the 13th floor.

[zerobeat18]

@ACTheFirst Superstition caters to intellects without much logic and reason, so the notion that the floor labelled "14" is still the 13th floor would completely elude such people anyway. An imaginary "rationally superstitious" person would demand that there really is a 13th floor, but that nobody should go there. Maybe it could be a kind of "null" floor, an open columned space (but still with stairways and elevator shafts) and the rest of the building continues up from there.

[Lihinel]

XD

This is so wrong.

[incrediblemulk42]

He said that the figure was for buildings on Broadway.

[Hellooo20]

is this for real that in USA u dont have 13 floor?

[baudiirocz]

yes

[josesilva9910]

That's just stupid.

[amcnea]

Yes it is, I have actually never seen a 13 floor in a hotel. I don't live around a lot of large buildings though.

[josesilva9910]

What if you have a building with 30 floors?

What do they show instead of 13?

[amcnea]

It just skips 13, it goes from the 12th floor to the 14th floor.

So, if you had a building with 30 floors. The last floor number would be 31 since 13 was skipped.

[josesilva9910]

That's ridiculous!!!

[siciliano29]

Well, he said 80% of the buildings don't have a 13th floor... so.... we'd have to deduce that 20% do.