Summary
Why is there no room numbered 420 in the hotels? Why is there also no room 13 in the hotels?
Why is there no room numbered 420 in the hotels?
For the record: in the United States, In the early 70s, the number 420, has become a kind of secret code. In fact, to better explain the context, a group of California students from San Rafael used to gather every day at “4:20 p.m.” sharp to smoke a joint. Called “Waldos”, this group eventually spread the term “420” far beyond the borders of California and the United States. Even today, it is a symbolic term for cannabis smokers as recalled by the Telegraph newspaper. So much so that the “4/20” has even turned into an iconic date (April 20) representing the unofficial party of cannabis fans. Very well, but you are probably wondering what would be the link with hotel rooms? We’re getting there…
Precisely, to avoid attracting cannabis addicts and “fake customers”, many hotel owners have decided by removing outright The famous room 420 of their hotels. But, apparently, as the British newspaper “Mirror” reports, there is also another, stranger reason. It turns out that on many occasions, the door plates displaying the number 420 were stolen. A disturbing phenomenon that has spread outside hotels: many road signs bearing this number have also been stolen. Some even snatched license plates with that number to take home.
Did you say weird?
Why is there also no room 13 in the hotels?
So you have just enriched your general knowledge with this anecdotal story of the number 420. Now let’s move on to another number, infamous, the famous number 13 that makes all the greatest superstitious tremble. Finally, it is not surprising that most hoteliers have decided to skip it. Between us, a “room 13” would be particularly unpopular, since this issue has the bad reputation of being unlucky and attracting trouble. But, if you notice, it’s not just hotels that go from room 12 to 14.
Many building builders around the world have also chosen to ban the 13. For example, at the very moment of design, the architects eliminated the presence of a 13th floor from their plans. The same goes for elevators: the Otis brand reports that 85% of them do not have a 13 button, it is usually replaced by a 12 A or 12 B or even by the letter M (thirteenth of the alphabet). And you have also probably noticed, some airlines, such as “Air France”, have also followed suit by removing row 13 on some flights. Same principle, have you ever heard of a 13 car in Formula 1? No. But what is the objective of all these measures? In truth, the idea is above all to reassure all people who suffer from “triskaidékaphobia”. Oh there, what is this unpronounceable term? It is indeed long and complicated to pronounce, but it is a very real term. Have you never heard of it? It is simply the phobia of the number 13. And, this morbid fear, directly related to superstition, is not funny at all, since it causes real episodes of anxiety, stress and discomfort in people who suffer from it. Do you think you will be part of it? Afterwards, we must qualify things a little, because some are much more superstitious than others. There are those who literally barricade themselves in their homes on Friday the 13th, while others are not as obsessed and do not necessarily see it as some morbid “curse”. Maybe you’ve never watched Jason Voorhess’s terrifying cult movie “Friday the 13th.” But, since this is onlya fiction, and if you like horror movies, you may also not particularly fear it. So, ultimately, this type of superstition is relative to one’s own experience.
Did you know? It may amuse you, but be aware that some people even avoid Room 217 in hotels. But why is that? Well, it’s in reference to a very famous novel (adapted to the cinema) by Stephen King: it is the cult thriller “The Shining”. Anyone who has seen the film masterfully played by Jack Nicholson, knows what we are talking about. The story focuses on room 217 of the Overlook Hotel where the main character, Danny Torrance, meets the walking corpse of a woman who died in the bathtub. And, for the anecdote, a few years earlier, the author himself had stayed in a hotel where he would have lived quite intriguing adventures, which would have inspired him to write his novel.
