25 Weird Customs in the World

25 Weird Customs in the World

In this article, we investigate 25 weird customs in the world. Stay with us.

What would you do if you walked into a bathroom and instead of toilet paper, you found a bowl Of water? (Hmmm. And no instructions either!) Or, what if warding off bad luck meant talking To birds at the park? Sure, these things may seem wacky to you, but they’re pretty normal Customs in other countries. And some sound pretty fun! Counting down from…

In this article we will investigate weird customs in the world about bellow countries:

• German
• Mexico
• Spain
• Austria
• Russia
• UK
• Denmark
• Kenya
• Venezuela
• Africa
• India
• And more...

25. Tomato war

This is the first on the list weird customs in the world.

If you ever find yourself in the Spanish town of Buñol at the end of August, I sure Hope you brought some protective gear! That is if you happen to catch La Tomatina, a massive, one-day, lighthearted food fight with none other than the beloved tomato – or Tomah-to. (yep, Thousands of people, thousands of tomatoes. You do the math.) And, don’t forget to duck!

24. “Happy Birthday, now shove your face in this cake!”

This is the 24th on the list weird customs in the world. This is something you might hear In Mexico. Here, as you get handed your birthday cake and are about to take that first delicious Bite, someone will likely push your face right into it! You see that at the US Weddings A lot these days.

23. Old socks!

This is the 23th on the list weird customs in the world. In Germany, if you’re 25 and single, your friends will often lead you to your birthday Party with a string of old socks as you celebrate with drinks.

22. “Pull my finger”

In the States, “pull my finger” is a risky - smelly - game. But in Scandinavia Austria, and Bavaria, Germany, finger pulling (or Fingerhakeln) is a competitive sport! Competitors will often even pull each other across the table with their middle Fingers because they’re pulling so hard!

21. Sit down for good luck!

This is the 21th on the list weird customs in the world. If you’re going on vacation and want to leave with as many good vibes as possible, sit down with your household first before you head out the door. In Russia, they believe That doing this ensures you have a good trip and wards off bad luck.

20. Magpie with the bad luck!

If you’re taking a walk in the park in the UK, you might spot a gentleman tipping His hat to a magpie. That’s because, in British folklore, these little birds are bad omens. But if you tip your hat to it and say, “Good morning, Mr. Magpie, and how is your lady Wife today?”

19. Throw handfuls of cinnamon!

In Denmark, if it’s your 25th birthday or higher and you’re still single, your Friends and family throw handfuls of cinnamon at you. The odd tradition is based on history, that way back in the 16th century, Danish spice merchants used to stay unmarried because they were too busy traveling around the world, (you know, trying to spice things up.)

18. Yellow Roses are equal to death!

Roses are red, violets are blue, but give someone yellow roses in Mexico, and it’s Goodbye to you! That’s because, in this country, yellow roses signify death. If you’re gifting someone a bouquet for their birthday or anniversary, you’d better stick with a good ol’ dozen red roses.

 17. Spit before handshake!

This is the 17th on the list weird customs in the world. If you were to spit at your boss or a family member when you greeted them, it’d be considered pretty darn rude. But in the Maasai tribe in Kenya and northern Tanzania, spitting into their hands before a handshake is considered appropriate and respectful. This is often the way people in the tribe wish each other good luck and safe travels. It’s even done at weddings, so imagine spitting on the bride as a good gesture! It’s also how they secure a deal.

16. Polter-abend!

You might gift newlyweds with some sparkling new china, but in Germany, family, and friends break dishes the night before a wedding! Doing this tradition, known as Polter-abend, is believed to bring good luck to the couple, who are expected to clean the mess up and learn how to work together! (and if not, there’ll be more dish-breaking later down the road…)

15. Arriving a few minutes late isn’t considered rude!

This is the 15th on the list weird customs in the world. In Venezuela, the early bird doesn’t necessarily get the worm. There, running late isn’t a problem the way it is in the US and other countries. When it comes to parties or even work meetings, arriving a few minutes late isn’t considered rude.

14. “Punxsutawney Phil”

You didn’t think we include something strange from the US, did you? How about donning top hats and looking at a groundhog named “Punxsutawney Phil” to tell us if spring is here or not? The Groundhog Day tradition goes back to February 2, 1887. (Ya know, before we had advanced meteorology to goof up the forecast!) Well, in any case, if this furry ground-dweller sees his shadow, that supposedly means 6 more months of winter!

13. Bachelorettes aged 25 or older rock green or yellow hats!

If you wanna stand out as a single person, you’ll love the French celebration of Saint Catherine’s Day or the Patron Saint of unmarried women. On this day in November, bachelorettes aged 25 or older rock green or yellow hats to celebrate the single life! (Hey, what’s up with 25? It’s always 25 – is that the deadline or something?... well probably long, long ago when life expectancy was 28, they didn’t want you keeping dilly-dallying or something.

 12. chucking the furniture out the window onto the street!

Who needs noisemakers and champagne when you can just throw your furniture out the window to ring in the New Year? In South Africa, the tradition of chucking chairs, tables, and whatever furniture out the window onto the street for the New Year has been going strong since the end of apartheid. This symbolizes the act of ridding your home of past sorrows so that you can make room for happier, more hopeful times!

11. Carrying around an empty suitcase!

This is the 11th on the list weird customs in the world. And if you thought throwing your furniture out the window was strange, you’ll be scratching your head at the South American tradition of carrying around an empty suitcase for the New Year! By walking a block with the empty luggage, you’re supposed to bring hope and new adventure into the upcoming year — and hopefully, a nice vacation so that You can put stuff in that suitcase!

10. Head to the Sauna with your boss and coworkers!

Business meetings in the office can be so stuffy and boring. So why not head to the Sauna with your boss and coworkers? Well, that’s how they do it in Finland, where the sauna serves as a perfect spot to hold meetups and other important gatherings In the professional space. But you’ll probably wanna remember your robe in there…

9. Using left hand is considered rude!

This is the 9th on the list weird customs in the world. Even if you’re naturally a leftie, using this hand is considered pretty rude in a lot Of Middle Eastern countries. This is because the left hand is the designated “cleaning Hand” in the bathroom and, therefore, it’s the dirty one. The right hand is supposed To be used during meals and for shaking people’s hands.

8. Using water instead of Toilet Paper!

If your biggest fear is doing your business in a restroom that’s run out of toilet paper, well…you might have some problems when visiting India. That’s because in most parts of this country, instead of toilet paper, people use water to cleanse their, uh, private areas. It may sound odd to Westerners, but at least they don’t have to worry about clogging up the plumbing as much, right?

7. Monkey Buffet Festival

In Thailand, there are tons of stray monkeys hanging around. And once a year in Lopburi, Bangkok, people dump over 6,600 pounds (3,000 kg) of fruits and veggies out for the little guys to munch on in what’s referred to as the Monkey Buffet Festival.

6. month-long cry for wedding!

When you think of a wedding, you probably imagine fun, laughter, and celebration (and lots of cake in the face!). But in China, a traditional wedding is preceded by the bride crying a month before her big day. After a few days, she’s joined by her mother, grandmother, and other family members. But here’s the thing, this month-long cry sesh is to show joy for her future marriage! O-kay.

5. Don't clink glasses before drinking!

In America and lots of other countries, it’s typical to clink glasses before drinking. But in Hungary, no one clinks glasses at bars or around the dinner table. Ever since the Austrians defeated the Hungarians during the revolution and celebrated by clinking their glasses, the Hungarians swore off this tradition!

4. Using the toilet 3 days after the wedding is bad luck!

While we consider it bad luck to see the bride before the big day, people in Tidong, Indonesia believe using the toilet 3 days after the wedding is bad luck. Family members typically watch over the newlyweds to make sure they don’t use the bathroom at all!

3. Lack of ice in the drink!

Americans are used to having copious amounts of ice in their drinks. But in many places in Europe, having little or no ice at all is the norm. If you’re dining in these places, you need to ask for extra ice. Otherwise, you’ll have to enjoy your Coke at room temperature.

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2. Cocktail containing juice from squeezed roots!

If you ever visit Fiji, you’ll likely be greeted by a cocktail containing juice from squeezed roots served in a wooden bowl known as Kava. And, it has, shall we say “psychoactive effects”, Uh-huh. So you might want to go easy on the Kava or just grab a lemonade instead!

1. Cheese wheel!

Finally, speaking of cheesy, In Gloucester, England on the last Monday of May, a giant wheel of Double Gloucester Cheese is pushed down Cooper’s Hill while spectators are encouraged to chase it. Whoever catches it and doesn’t fall flat on their face gets to take the cheese wheel home! And I’m thinking, what if the out-of-control Cheese wheel takes out a sidewalk full of spectators? Then it’s just a cheesy way to go, I guess. Well. What can I add to that? Do you know any other customs that might seem odd to outsiders?

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More weird Customs!

There are many weird customs in the world practiced by people. Some might jump from a 100-foot stand or get stung by ants to prove they are growing up. Others get covered in cinnamon or pepper as adults unlucky in love. Men jump over babies and women throw them off buildings to protect their souls from harm. Others fling tomatoes or oranges in the streets to honor the gods or reenact a myth.

Some even create feasts for monkeys or bury a fake sardine to symbolize death.

In the transition between child and adult most experience a few growing pains along the way. But these are nothing compared to what is customary for some young boys in the Amazon to go through. First, they must get bullet ants and place them in a pair of gloves.

Then they put these on 20 different times, dancing as they are stung by the ants over and over again. The pain from the ants is described as 30 times worse than the sting of a bee and each glove is swarming with them. Once they have done this successfully, they can consider themselves a man.

Here is another one of the weird customs in the world. Another extreme type of test is expected of boys on a Vanuatuan island. They must prove their ability to conquer fear through a practice called land diving. This requires climbing a 100-foot tower of wood and jumping head-first down to the ground, escaping certain death only because of vines tied around their ankles.

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In Indonesia, young people of both genders participate in a unique custom of their own to transition from wild children to being considered fully human. It requires that their canine teeth are ground down. This is done without any form of pain relief and they are expected to sit quietly without a sound. It is believed that pointy teeth will prevent them from reaching heaven as they will be mistaken for wild animals. Of course, with time children become adults and most adults will at some point search for love.

When single German men turn 30 in Bremen, they must sweep cathedral steps to organ music until a girl takes pity on them and kisses them. But don’t think those that find love are in the clear.

In Scotland, there’s a similarly messy custom known as the Blackening. This is when the future bride and groom are surprised, tied up, and blackened. In other words, they are covered in flour, custards, dirt, or soot to become as dirty as possible. After they take a shower or two, it is believed they will have more luck.

In Greece when a couple gets married those attending will spit. They won’t hit the bride and groom, because though it looks like they’re doing it, it’s just symbolic. Making a spitting motion and sound three times is thought to protect against evil spirits. Though rather strange, Indonesia practices an even crazier, and rather uncomfortable, custom once a couple is married.

The newlyweds are kept in a room for three days and three nights not allowed to use the bathroom and are guarded to ensure they don’t cheat. Once this time is up, they take a bath and begin a normal married life.

Weird customs in the world is continued regarding pregnancy and family. In China, for example, the partner of a pregnant woman is expected to carry her over burning coals. Though painful for the one doing the carrying, it will ensure the future mother has a more pleasant and swift labor.

Then, once born, cultures have a different approach to celebrating birth and providing newborn protection. In Spain during the festival of El Colacho, babies are placed on blankets in the street. Men dressed in red and yellow devils run around and fight pious men dressed in black. The men then jump over the babies, which is meant to keep them safe from sin and disease.

Though not exactly safe, in India, they take it to a whole different level of extreme. There are more of these weird customs in the world.

A few Hindu and Muslim parents wanting the same spiritual protection for their children will throw their babies off the top of 50-foot buildings. When all goes according to plan, the babies are caught in the sheet below. While some customs can be unpleasant or scary, others can be more fun, though they also can get a bit messy.

Here is an interesting item of the weird customs in the world. An interesting custom in Lopburi, Thailand includes some monkeys in the mayhem. In this part of the world the monkey is revered as a descendant of a brave Hindu deity that rescued a woman from a demon. As their reward they receive a feast on November 25th of each year. This includes over 4,000 pounds of food, and such things as watermelons, pineapples, and bananas.

Monkeys are free to nibble on these treats while grabbing a soda to drink. While some cultures enjoy sweet and succulent foods, in some places they serve something a bit different. An example of this is Hakal, a specially prepared dish served in Iceland. It is made of pieces of Greenland shark that have been left out for at least six months.

The reason this is necessary is because the shark has no urinary tract so its wastes build up to toxic levels in its meat. Another potentially dangerous treat is consumed in the regions of Southeast Asia. It is made from the patagium edule fruit with lethal amounts of hydrogen cyanide. After its shell is removed it must be boiled and then fermented in leaves for a month.

If this procedure is not properly followed, a little taste of the fruit will be your last.

Do you want to hear some weird customs in the world about the death?

When someone does die, death and burial customs can be pretty strange as well. The Yanomami have a tradition where they take the body of the deceased and burn it. While there’s nothing so unusual about this first step, it gets much weirder very quickly. After the body has burned, they then blacken their faces with its ash.

Following this, they collect any remaining bones and turn them into a powder that they mix with bananas. This makes a kind of banana soup and everyone eats it together. To the Yanomami people, this is the only known way someone who dies can reach eternal peace. In Madagascar, they have a strange after-death custom of their own.

They exhume their ancestors’ remains every five to seven years and replace their old clothes with new ones. Then, stranger still, those in the Merina tribe dance with the clothed corpses. By the time the day ends, they are returned to the tomb upside down until the procedure repeats again five to seven years later. Though no one has died, at the end of the carnival season, Spaniards engage in symbolic mourning.

This is supposed to signal the end of festivities and the beginning of Lent. On Ash Wednesday a procession known as the Burial of the Sardine walks through the streets carrying a large fake fish. They walk through Madrid until they get to the burial grounds and at this point they bury the sardine.

These were all weird customs in the world which might be strange for other nationalities. Weird customs in the world have roots in the traditions and cultures.

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