221 Curious Customs Practices and Traditions Around the World

Mexican traditions for a person’s birthday involve fun and entertaining customs. Do you know: Smashing a cake on the birthday boy’s/girl’s face was a tradition that most probably originated in Mexico. Birthdays are celebrated with great pomp in Mexico. At dawn and dusk, Las Mañanitas is sung for the birthday person. His entire family is […]

Boot Throwing is an actual competition in Finland that has been around for a very long time. Do you know: In this unique competition, the boot couldn’t be just any boot, but a rubber boot. There are many interesting customs and practices in Finland that have been converted into entertaining competitions. Boot Throwing is one

The Germans have another fun custom for bachelors and bachelorettes at 30. Do you know: 30-year-old bachelors and bachelorettes are made to do ridiculous cleaning chores on their birthdays. Bachelors at 30 have the misfortune of having to sweep the stairs of the town hall with ridiculous costumes, such as sumo outfits and unimaginably small

In Germany, 25-years-old unmarried persons are meant to partake in a quirky custom. Do you know: At 25 bachelors in Germany are known as ‘old socks’ and bachelorettes are known as ‘old boxes’. Bachelors in Germany receive garlands of socks draped all over and around their houses for everyone to see. What’s more, as the

Unmarried women in France celebrate Saint Catherine’s Day on November 25th, in a unique way. Do you know: Paris organizes a runway show to honour the ‘Catherinettes’. It is customary in France for unmarried women at 25 to wear large green and yellow hats and parade in them through-out the day in honour of Saint

Cinnamon and Pepper Throwing is a custom meant for singletons in Denmark. Do you know: This custom somehow evolved out of Danish word for bachelor, which is Pebersvend, or ‘pepper man’–a term used for unmarried spice traders in the 16th century. It is customary in Denmark to remind 25-year-old singletons that they do not have

Fingerhakeln is a game played in the Alpine regions of Austria and Germany. Do you know: There is also a championship held annually for this game. Fingerhakeln is played between two players, who sit in traditional Alpine dresses and place their middle fingers in a strap. The winner is required to pull his opponent over

The Queen’s Birthday is celebrated twice a year in Australia. Do you know: The custom of celebrating the actual Queen’s Birthday is on April 21st. Following the practice of King George-II, the Queen too has her actual birthday and an ‘official birthday’ to celebrate in June. All over Australia excepting in Western Australia, the Queen’s

Jaanipäev is the most important holiday in Estonia with many customs and rituals observed on that day. Do you know:Jaanipäev is also known as Midsummer Day or Saint John’s Day, and follows the longest day of the year–the Summer Solstice. Jaanipäev was celebrated a long time before Christianity reached Estonia. Hence, many of the customs

Sit Down Before any Trip is an extremely common custom in Russia. Do you know: The Russians believe that saying ‘goodbye’ over a threshold of a house is bad luck. According to the Russian customs and traditions, a person leaving for a long journey must always say his goodbye inside the house, sit for a

Saluting the Lone Magpie is a custom in the United Kingdom. Do you know: People not only in the UK, but also everywhere in the world consider a lone magpie an omen of bad luck or death. It is believed that since magpies mate for life, a lone magpie without his mate is a sad

The Haka Dance is a popular Maori tradition, which is indigenous to New Zealand. Do you know: The native Haka Dance became extremely popular when the New Zealand Rugby team performs it. Both men and women perform the Haka Dance. There are even simpler versions of the dance that can be performed by children. The

Punctuality is an overrated custom in South America. Do you know: If you arrived on time or early for a meeting or party in South America, it is considered rude and you would be deemed ‘too eager’. It is customary for people in most parts of South America to show up a minimum of 10

Mudras are ritualistic and symbolic gestures found in Hinduism and Buddhism. Do you know: The word ‘Mudra’ originates from a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘seal’ or ‘gesture’. Most Mudras are performed using the fingers or hands, while some may require the use of the entire body. A Mudra is considered a spiritual movement or act, an

Henna Tattoos are a rich wedding custom of many cultures including the Arabic, African and Indian communities. Do you know: Most of these cultures, the women conceal the initials of their to-be husbands in their intricate henna designs. As a part of the wedding rituals, women apply detailed and intricate designs using henna, on their