In Afghanistan, the number 39 is suddenly unlucky
Vehicle licensing officials in troubled Afghanistan have hit a new pothole - a curious aversion for registrations containing the number 39.
The new plates are stacking up at the Kabul traffic police department and car prices and sales have been hit.
For some reason number 39 is held as a mark of great shame by Afghans.
It is thought the taboo started because a pimp had 39 on his number plate. Others say it dates from an old way of calculating numbers called “Abjad”.
Whatever the explanation, the aversion has spread around the country and seems to be growing.
“I am gutted that my car has a 39 number plate. I have had enough of people’s taunts,” said Ahmad Ghafor, a taxi driver in Kabul.
They see ‘em rolling, they hating…