Customs are proof of how our ancestors have lived their lives and act as a bridge between the past and the future. Well, the world is an unusual place, with so many strange customs to explore.
We’ve put up a list of 10 such surprising customs to experience the world while cruising through the mobile screen:
1. Red Ink Is Not Used in South Korea
In South Korean history, their ancestors used to write the name of deceased people using red ink. Therefore, the use of red ink to write something is prohibited in the country to this date.
2. No salt when in Egypt
If you are in Egypt and have been invited to a dinner, do not ask for more salt or reach out for a saltshaker. Egyptians consider this as an insult to their food.
3. Aaak Thoo! Spitting on the brides in Greece
Popularized by 2002 movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, spitting in Greek on a newlywed bride is supposed to ward off negative energy and bring good luck to the lady. However, the custom has now been cut short with guests just making the spitting sound- ftou ftou, instead of spitting in real.
4. September 12, Day of Conception in Russia
The Russians are serious about keeping their bloodline going, and they have a public holiday for it. Don’t believe us? There was a time when Russia was struggling with a declining birth rate and uneven sex ratio. So, the government created a public holiday solely to give couples a day off from work in order to have sex. Parents, whose babies are born exactly nine months to 12th September, are rewarded by the government. Now, that’s a custom!
5. Venezuelans Are Not Fans of Punctuality
Opposite to other cultures, reaching on time is considered to be rude in Venezuela. They prefer reaching 15 minutes late than the scheduled time to avoid looking eager and greedy. *Planning to shift down to Venezuela*
6. “Tip”-top in the U.S.A
As waiters have low wages in the U.S.A, tipping them between 10-20 percent of the bills is customary in America. This amounts to a significant part of earning for the wait-staff. There are different rules and set percentage for tipping cabbies, bartenders, and delivery people. In return, these people try their best to provide excellent services.
7. Cemeteries as hang-out places in Denmark
Danes are really cool when it comes to using space. While graveyards are considered as the last place to be in the world, people in Denmark use the cemetery sites for socializing. The places for the dead are well manicured and cleaned up in Denmark, and people gather there on a warm sunny day.
8. Thumb to Point at Something In Malaysia
We have been taught since childhood, not to point at someone as it is considered rude. Still, in many instances, it’s hard not to point out and let someone know whom we are talking about. But, in countries like Malaysia, pointing at someone is seen as an offense and therefore, they use thumb instead to gesture at something.
9. Making a mess for newlyweds in Germany
In certain parts of Germany, there is a pre-wedding tradition where relatives test the bridegrooms and brides by creating a mess for them. They break the dishes and ask the to-be-husband-wife to clean the area. This is a way to make them understand that marriages take work, and both, need to take the responsibility to deal with the issues.
10. Throwing cinnamon/Pepper at single people in Denmark
Okay! Den people should chill out a bit when it comes to marriages. If you turn 25 and are still unmarried, friends and family in Denmark will literally ambush with cinnamon powder. We, Indians, just have Haldi ceremony, but in Denmark, if a person is still unmarried at 30, he/she is showered with pepper powder. Ughhh!