"maxine in ri" > wrote in message
...
> On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
> never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
> with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
> relationship will not be severed.
>
> Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
> whence it came?

I gave a couple of Henckles knives to someone as a shower gift (I was
in the wedding) ... I had them wrapped by the Macy's gift department,
I gave them a penny for each knife and asked them to tape them to the
blades. At the shower, the couple had to take the pennies off and return
them to me. Created quite a stir. Even the wrapper lady at the store
thought it was enchanting.

I suppose it's no different than (from?) never giving someone an empty
wallet ... you always include a nominal amount of money in it.

nancy