To single ladies: do not sing while cooking, or you will end up with an old husband! A long time ago, rice cookers didn’t exist, and people had to use coal as the only source of cooking heat. This taboo or superstition came from the fact that the rice will be burnt or you will accidently cut yourself with the kitchen knife if you don’t pay attention while cooking. This taboo was used to scare maids who work in the kitchen, as maids of those times commonly feared getting old husbands.