# How do ghosts follow people home? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389 "2014-06-22T21:01:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/41 "2014-06-25T00:48:13Z")
In a lot of places in China, while they’re transporting a body to it’s final resting place, friends and family will shout out the directions of where they’re going – “WE’RE TURNING LEFT NOW!” “GOING UP THE OLD HILL BY THE SCHOOLHOUSE NOW!” – to be sure the deceased’s spirit will keep up with them and won’t get lost. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/42 "2014-06-25T02:21:53Z")
> [@Hockey\_Monkey](#): > > In their Chevy Maliboos. And because ghosts can’t work a clutch, the transmission is an ectomatic. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/43 "2014-06-25T03:28:58Z")
I had a ghost go with me in an elevator once. I asked him why, and he said he just needed to lift his spirit. He went back down again later, though. What ghost up must come down. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/44 "2014-06-25T05:58:29Z")
You should ask David Miscavige. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/45 "2014-06-25T14:40:07Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > I had a ghost go with me in an elevator once. I asked him why, and he said he just needed to lift his spirit. > > He went back down again later, though. What ghost up must come down. I hope that was not mean-spirited. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/46 "2014-06-25T14:46:25Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Bicycles. If it’s a fixie bicycle, you’re being followed by a hipster ghost. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/47 "2014-06-25T14:58:24Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > If it’s a fixie bicycle, you’re being followed by a hipster ghost. [Ghost bikes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_bike). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/48 "2014-06-25T15:34:57Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I dunno. I’m not going to drag my way through that book (again) for cites, but I caught a lot more of “said with a twinkle in his eye” than I got from Jacques Vallée, Frank Edwards, or any of the more recent crop. Bet you a cookie that you read all the fun weird clippings that he collected and skipped over the word salad in between where he gave his philosophy of the universe. You know it had to be serious because it’s utterly unintelligible. When you’re sticking your tongue out you can’t be obscure, tedious, and naval-gazing. And [Ghost](http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxjplctfdo1r5c4o7o1_500.jpg) follows you home because he’s got a keen sense of smell. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/49 "2014-06-25T16:04:09Z")
Somebody with a sheet over his head can still move or (if he remembered to cut some eyeholes) follow somebody. He may, however, be stopped when the meddling kids show up to reveal that the ghost is actually Old Man Johnson. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/50 "2014-06-25T19:12:18Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Fucking Ghost Magnets. How do they work? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/51 "2014-06-25T19:22:48Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > How do they work? You use 'em to stick ghosts to your refrigerator door. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/52 "2014-06-25T21:56:59Z")
Ghost aren’t really ghost in the realm your speaking of … they are spirits. Unclean spirits, deceiving spirits, spirits of lust, spirits of gluttony, spirits of the departed, spirits of chronic alcohol and drug usage. Spirits are often confused with being seen as ghost, but almost everything in the spirit world are spirits or demons. Ghost tend to stay close to where they were unfairly mistreated or murdered or committed suicide or were buried or even hung on a tree. They have rules and they have rules that they have to obey. I won’t bring up the God word, but someone has to be in charge of the spirit world or everyone would have proof and be afraid and suddenly turn their lives over to the God most high, but God in all of His wisdom has decided to keep it a secret till the day you die of course, but by then it’s too late. Don’t talk to them they are looking for a host or hostess to be friends with and the first thing they will do is say, “Don’t tell anyone who I am” Fear is good when you decide to run the other way like Charlie Chan’s chauffer use to say, “Outa uh, Mr Chan I don’t go in no grave yards” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/53 "2014-06-27T01:30:56Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Fucking Ghost Magnets. > [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > How do they work? First you have to find two ghosts fucking. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/54 "2014-06-27T01:33:28Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Ghost aren’t really ghost in the realm your speaking of … they are spirits. > > Unclean spirits, deceiving spirits, spirits of lust, spirits of gluttony, spirits of the departed, spirits of chronic alcohol and drug usage. > > Spirits are often confused with being seen as ghost, but almost everything in the spirit world are spirits or demons. > > Ghost tend to stay close to where they were unfairly mistreated or murdered or committed suicide or were buried or even hung on a tree. They have rules and they have rules that they have to obey. > > I won’t bring up the God word, but someone has to be in charge of the spirit world or everyone would have proof and be afraid and suddenly turn their lives over to the God most high, but God in all of His wisdom has decided to keep it a secret till the day you die of course, but by then it’s too late. > > Don’t talk to them they are looking for a host or hostess to be friends with and the first thing they will do is say, “Don’t tell anyone who I am” > > Fear is good when you decide to run the other way like Charlie Chan’s chauffer use to say, “Outa uh, Mr Chan I don’t go in no grave yards” Ghosts can do whatever the teller of the tale says they can do. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/55 "2014-06-27T20:03:57Z")
I don’t think I would mind if a ghost followed me home. It might be nice to have some company here, and a ghost is probably less maintenance than a cat. A poltergeist could be a problem, I guess, but maybe I could learn to live with that, too. I don’t really get why ghosts are supposed to be scary, to be honest. Especially those little girl ghosts that you see in Japanese horror movies. If a small child is cute before she’s murdered, why is she suddenly scary after? People who \*murder \*small children, now, \*they \*scare me. But the victims? Just because they’re a tiny bit undead? No. Why should they? Yeah, I’d be cool with a stray ghost. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/56 "2014-06-27T20:07:50Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > I don’t think I would mind if a ghost followed me home. It might be nice to have some company here, and a ghost is probably less maintenance than a cat. A poltergeist could be a problem, I guess, but maybe I could learn to live with that, too. > > I don’t really get why ghosts are supposed to be scary, to be honest. Especially those little girl ghosts that you see in Japanese horror movies. If a small child is cute before she’s murdered, why is she suddenly scary after? People who \*murder \*small children, now, \*they \*scare me. But the victims? Just because they’re a tiny bit undead? No. Why should they? > > Yeah, I’d be cool with a stray ghost. That’s all well and good, but wait until you have to feed it the souls of the anguished and are faced with the moral dilemma of starving an undead kid or being a mass murderer. Then Child Services gets involved and you know the first person they always feed it after a neglect case is the former caretaker. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/57 "2014-06-27T20:12:58Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > That’s all well and good, but wait until you have to feed it the souls of the anguished and are faced with the moral dilemma of starving an undead kid or being a mass murderer. Then Child Services gets involved and you know the first person they always feed it after a neglect case is the former caretaker. No, you’re thinking of [cute little girl vampires](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1139797/). Now, \*that \*shit I’m staying the hell away from. Not getting involved. Those things never end well. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389/58 "2014-06-28T00:24:50Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > I don’t really get why ghosts are supposed to be scary, to be honest. Especially those little girl ghosts that you see in Japanese horror movies. If a small child is cute before she’s murdered, why is she suddenly scary after? People who \*murder \*small children, now, \*they \*scare me. But the victims? Just because they’re a tiny bit undead? No. Why should they? What’s creepy is not that they are little girls, but they are _Japanese_. See how nonchalant you are when she uses your computer to sell her dirty underwear on eBay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-ghosts-follow-people-home/691389.md?page=2)