12 Local Customs That Leave Tourists Scratching Their Heads
Every place has its own unique traditions, but some are harder to understand for visitors. From unusual festivals to surprising habits, these customs stand out. Here are 12 local traditions that often confuse tourists.
1. Throwing Cinnamon on Singles in Denmark
In Denmark, it’s customary to douse friends who are still single on their 25th birthday with a barrage of cinnamon. This peculiar tradition has its roots in spice salesmen of the past, often single due to their extensive travels. As a quirky way to mark this milestone, friends ensure the birthday celebrant is coated in cinnamon, often leading to a cloud of spice and laughter.
2. Tomato Fights in Spain
La Tomatina, an annual festival in Buñol, Spain, features one of the world’s largest food fights. Participants gather to hurl overripe tomatoes at each other, painting the town and themselves in a sea of red. This unusual event, held on the last Wednesday of August, attracts thousands of visitors and is purely for entertainment, with no significant cultural or historical basis.
3. Silent Meals in Finland
Finland is known for valuing personal space and quietude. This cultural preference extends to their dining practices, where it’s common to have meals in silence. For visitors, this can be a stark contrast to the lively dinner conversations they might be used to. The Finnish believe in enjoying the meal without the distraction of conversation, focusing instead on the food and the company.
4. Groundhog Day in the United States
Every February 2nd, the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, hosts Groundhog Day, where a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil predicts the weather. If Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter; if not, an early spring is expected. This quirky custom, stemming from a German legend, turns a rodent’s behavior into a much-anticipated forecast.
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5. Pointing with Lips in Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, it’s common to use one’s lips instead of fingers to point at objects or directions. This involves puckering and thrusting the lips in the desired direction. This subtle and unique form of non-verbal communication often baffles visitors who are used to more explicit gestures.
6. Greeting with Noses in Greenland
In Greenland, a traditional Inuit greeting involves the Kunik, where people press their nose and upper lip against the cheek or forehead of another person and breathe in. This intimate form of greeting, often shared among close friends and family, can be quite surprising for first-time visitors.
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7. Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand
Lopburi, Thailand, hosts an annual Monkey Buffet Festival where fruits, vegetables, and other treats are laid out for the local monkey population. This event celebrates and thanks the monkeys for drawing tourists to the town. Visitors are often amused and intrigued by the sight of hundreds of monkeys enjoying a feast prepared just for them.
8. Baby Jumping in Spain
El Colacho is a Spanish tradition dating back to the 1620s, held in Castrillo de Murcia. Here, men dressed as devils jump over babies born in the last year, supposedly cleansing them of original sin and guarding them against evil spirits. This startling ritual, part of the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi, is a unique blend of religion and local folklore.
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9. Polterabend Plate Breaking in Germany
In Germany, Polterabend is a pre-wedding custom where guests break porcelain and earthenware to bring luck to the couple’s marriage. The noise made is believed to ward off evil spirits. The couple then works together to clean up the mess, symbolizing their ability to work as a team in marriage.
10. Tooth Filing in Bali, Indonesia
In Bali, the coming-of-age ritual of tooth filing, known as Metatah, is practiced among Hindus. The upper canines and incisors are filed down to symbolize the eradication of sin, like greed and lust. This spiritual ceremony is an essential rite of passage, often leaving visitors in awe of its cultural significance and the endurance of the participants.
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11. Cheese Rolling in England
The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling event in Gloucestershire, England, involves rolling a large wheel of cheese down a steep hill, with participants racing after it. The first person to reach the bottom wins the cheese. This unusual and somewhat dangerous tradition is a spectacle that combines local culture with a sense of adventure.
12. Walking Families to the Airport in Brazil
In Brazil, it’s customary for the entire family to accompany someone to the airport, regardless of the length of the trip. This tradition stems from the value placed on family connections and farewells. For visitors, seeing large groups at the airport, often emotional and ceremonial, highlights the strong familial bonds prevalent in Brazilian culture.
13 Vintage Recipes That Deserve a Modern Twist
Some classic recipes are so timeless that we keep them around, but a little tweaking can turn them from “retro” to “wow.” These vintage recipes, once at the top of everyone’s cookbook, are ready for a few fresh ingredients and techniques to bring them back to life in our modern kitchens. Here are 13 vintage recipes that deserve a flavorful new twist.
13 Vintage Recipes That Deserve a Modern Twist
14 Unexpectedly Delicious Vegan Recipes Even Meat-Lovers Will Enjoy
Trying vegan food doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. In fact, plant-based recipes can be bold, filling, and even surprising. Here’s a lineup of vegan dishes that could impress even the most die-hard meat-lovers. These recipes pack in layers of flavor, satisfying textures, and clever ingredients that deliver on taste. Ready to bite into some unexpectedly delicious options?
14 Unexpectedly Delicious Vegan Recipes Even Meat-Lovers Will Enjoy
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