Well, a frequent element is the setting. Many culture horror stories are set in places that are considered spooky or have some sort of historical or cultural significance. Such as an old abandoned castle in European stories or a haunted forest in some Asian cultures. Also, there is often a moral lesson hidden within the horror story. It might be about not being greedy, as in the case of the Wendigo story, or respecting the dead. In some Asian horror stories, disturbing the graves of the ancestors can lead to a series of horrible events.
Symbols play a large role. In Western horror culture, a cross can be a symbol of protection against vampires and other evil entities. In some Middle Eastern horror stories, certain religious symbols are used in a similar way. And then there is the element of the unknown. The things that lurk in the shadows, that we can't fully understand or explain, are often at the heart of culture horror stories. This taps into our primal fear of the unknown and the unseen, making these stories so effective at scaring us.
Fear of death is a big element in horror stories. The threat of death, whether it's from a serial killer or a supernatural force, is always present. Also, there's often a sense of helplessness. The characters find themselves in situations where they seem to have little control over what's happening to them. For instance, in 'The Blair Witch Project', the characters are lost in the woods and being hunted by an unknown entity. There's also the use of suspense. Writers build up the tension by delaying the reveal of the horror, making the readers or viewers more and more anxious as the story progresses.
Another element is body language. In some cultures, certain gestures mean one thing, but in others, they mean something completely different. For instance, the 'thumbs up' gesture which is positive in the US, can be offensive in some Middle Eastern countries. When people unknowingly make these gestures and get unexpected reactions, it makes for a funny story. Often, these stories involve people realizing their cultural blunders and having a good laugh about it later. It shows how different cultures can be and how we need to be more aware.
Technical issues are common. Like in my case, the proctoring software once had a problem during my GMAT online test. It made me so nervous as I thought I might lose my progress. Another common thing is last - minute panics. For example, suddenly realizing you don't remember a key formula right before the quant section.
One common element is the transformation. For example, the person who eats the strange candy might start to transform into something else, like a monster or a ghost - like figure. It adds to the horror as they lose their human form.
The lack of resources can be a common element. Vets might be faced with a very sick or injured animal but don't have the right equipment or medicine on hand. This can lead to a feeling of helplessness and horror as they watch the animal suffer. And sometimes, there are strange and unexplained symptoms in animals that seem to defy medical knowledge, making it a real nightmare for vets.
Isolation is a common element. Like the puppy being left alone in a strange or scary place. Another is the presence of threats, such as bigger animals or cruel humans.
Micromanagement is a common one. Bosses who don't trust their employees and try to control every little detail make the workplace a nightmare. Another is taking credit for others' work. It's unfair and demoralizes the employees. Also, bosses with bad tempers can create a very hostile work environment.
Common elements in bdsm horror stories often include improper training. If a dom is not properly trained in how to handle different situations or use equipment safely, it can lead to bad outcomes. For example, if they don't know how to tie knots for restraints correctly and the submissive gets tangled in a dangerous way. Also, the wrong environment can be a factor. If the play area is not secure or private enough, it can cause distress. Imagine if a bdsm session is interrupted by an uninvited person. Moreover, the emotional state of the participants matters. If either the dom or the submissive is in an unstable mental state, like being overly angry or depressed during the play, it can easily turn into a horror story as they may not act rationally.
Weather - related incidents such as severe turbulence, lightning strikes or flying into unexpected storms. These can disrupt the normal operation of the jet and endanger the passengers and crew.
One common element is the use of the unknown. For example, in many horror stories, there are strange noises or shadowy figures that the characters can't immediately identify. This creates a sense of mystery and fear. Another is the isolation of the characters. If they are alone in a spooky place like an old mansion or a dark forest, it heightens the sense of danger. Also, the element of the supernatural often plays a big role. Ghosts, demons, or otherworldly creatures add to the scariness.