Alexandr talks about prohibitions and signs:Traditionally, one should not go out of any house carrying stuff. Even clothing should be worn rather than carried in the hands. Other bans include crossing one’s hands, holding one’s hands behind the back (this applies to women), whistling in the house, singing or crying in one’s bed. Here are signs and their interpretations: When a person stumbles while entering a house, this means that profit will come into that house. When a bat flies into a house, it is a bad omen. If a dog howls, expect trouble. Once our neighbor’s dog began to howl all of sudden. I warned our neighbor about this being a bad sign. Since he was born in Siberia (and did not know much about Kalmyk customs), he paid no attention to what I said. Soon he ended up in prison.