Hello All, Keeping in mind that our customs are passed down from our families as well as our genes, I would like to enquire about first foot traditions at New Years' Eve. We have been away from Gatesehead since 1965, and no longer do the first foot thing. What was it that the dark haired man was supposed to bring across the threshhold? A lump of coal, a coin, and..... what was the other thing? Out of curiousity, why was it a dark haired man? Was it supposed to be someone young and handsome, as a good luck thing, or was there another reason? Janet, transplanted from Gateshead in infancy _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus&pgmarket=en-ca&RU=http%3a%2f%2fjoin.msn.com%2f%3fpage%3dmisc%2fspecialoffers%26pgmarket%3den-ca

In Middlesbrough the first foot used to carry a piece of coal, and some salt. It was a dark haired person because no one wanted a light haired person as he may have been a raiding Viking. Lancelot Howard Barron MANDURAH Western Australia LBarron Associates U.K Web Page http://www.barron40.fsnet.co.uk/New_Web/Page_1x.html After March 30th use lancelot@barron40.fsnet.co.uk