Around the world, cultures flourish with traditions, habits, and events that make each place unique. From quirky festivals to uncommon laws, these fascinating customs are bound to spark wonder. Here’s a look at 30+ intriguing things happening across countries that highlight just how diverse and delightful our world is.
1. Spain’s Tomato-Throwing Festival: La Tomatina
Every year in Buñol, Spain, thousands gather to engage in a massive tomato fight, splattering each other with tomatoes in a joyful, chaotic celebration.
2. Japan’s Love for Vending Machines
Japan is famous for its vending machines that offer everything from hot drinks and ramen to fresh eggs and even umbrellas, catering to nearly every need at any hour.
3. Thailand’s Monkey Buffet Festival
In Lopburi, Thailand, locals celebrate by providing a grand feast for the city’s monkey population, hoping to bring good luck and prosperity to the region.
4. Finland’s Wife-Carrying Championships
Finland hosts an annual wife-carrying competition where men race through an obstacle course while carrying their wives. The prize? The wife’s weight in beer.
5. India’s Colorful Holi Festival: Interesting Things Across Countries
The Hindu festival of Holi in India brings people together to throw colored powder, drench each other in water, and celebrate the arrival of spring.
6. Switzerland’s Honesty-Based Street Food Stands
In Switzerland, unmanned stands offer fresh produce and flowers, relying on the honor system for payment. It’s a testament to the high level of trust in Swiss society.
7. South Korea’s Age System
In South Korea, everyone is considered one year old at birth, and everyone ages together on New Year’s Day, making age calculations a little different.
8. The Netherlands’ King’s Day in Orange
On King’s Day, the Dutch celebrate their monarch’s birthday by dressing in orange, the national color, and filling the streets with lively parades and street markets.
9. Australia’s Great Emu War
In the 1930s, Australia faced an “emu problem,” where soldiers were tasked with managing an overpopulation of emus—an actual historical battle that’s remembered as the “Emu War.”
10. Iceland’s Elf Beliefs
Many Icelanders believe in the existence of hidden folk or elves, which has led to roads being rerouted and construction plans altered to avoid disturbing their “habitat.”
11. China’s National Nap Time
In China, it’s common for workers to take a nap after lunch as part of the culture. You’ll often see people resting in offices, parks, or even shopping malls.
12. Italy’s August Ferragosto Holiday: Interesting Things Across Countries
In Italy, August 15 marks Ferragosto, a holiday where most businesses shut down, and Italians flock to the coast to enjoy time off with family.
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13. Argentina’s Yearly “Friend’s Day” Celebration
In Argentina, people celebrate “Día del Amigo” on July 20, dedicating the day to spending time with friends and expressing gratitude for their companionship.
14. France’s August Closure of Shops
In France, August is traditionally vacation month. Many small businesses, especially bakeries, close so their owners can take a well-deserved break.
15. Russia’s Maslenitsa Pancake Festival
Maslenitsa, Russia’s “pancake week,” celebrates the end of winter with blinis (thin pancakes), symbolizing the sun, and traditional activities like sledding and snowball fights.
16. Bolivia’s Dead Day Celebration
In Bolivia, “Día de las Ñatitas” (Day of the Skulls) honors deceased loved ones by decorating skulls and bringing them to cemeteries to be blessed.
17. Turkey’s Coffee Fortune-Telling Tradition
After drinking Turkish coffee, some believe they can predict the future by reading patterns in the coffee grounds left in the cup, a practice called “tasseography.”
18. Brazil’s Carnival Parades and Samba
Brazil’s Carnival is a vibrant and colorful event filled with samba parades, costumes, and lively celebrations across the country, especially in Rio de Janeiro.
19. Denmark’s Birthday Cinnamon Tradition: Interesting Things Across Countries
In Denmark, single people turning 25 are traditionally showered with cinnamon by friends, and if still single at 30, they face a pepper-filled version of this tradition.
20. New Zealand’s Māori Haka Dance
The haka, a traditional Māori dance, is performed to express strength and unity. It’s most famously done by the national rugby team, the All Blacks, before games.
21. Greece’s Plate-Smashing Ritual
In Greece, people sometimes smash plates to celebrate joyous occasions like weddings, a practice that signifies the breaking of bad luck.
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22. Germany’s Schultüte for Schoolchildren
In Germany, children receive a Schultüte, or “school cone,” filled with treats and supplies on their first day of school—a charming tradition to celebrate learning.
23. Colombia’s Crazy Day of Decency
On December 28, Colombians observe “Día de los Inocentes” (Day of the Innocents) by playing pranks and tricks on each other, similar to April Fools’ Day.
24. Poland’s Wet Monday After Easter
In Poland, “Śmigus-Dyngus” (Wet Monday) is celebrated the day after Easter, when people splash each other with water, signifying spring’s rebirth.
25. Mexico’s Day of the Dead Celebrations
Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a beautiful celebration honoring loved ones who have passed, with altars, sugar skulls, and family gatherings.
26. Canada’s Ice Hotel in Quebec
In Quebec, Canada, the Hôtel de Glace is constructed entirely out of ice each winter, offering guests an unforgettable (and chilly) experience.
27. Nigeria’s Nollywood Film Industry
Nigeria’s film industry, known as Nollywood, is one of the largest in the world, producing thousands of films annually and showcasing Nigerian culture.
28. Sweden’s Fika Coffee Breaks
In Sweden, “fika” is a cherished coffee break, a moment to pause, enjoy coffee and pastries, and connect with friends or colleagues.
29. Czech Republic’s Witch-Burning Festival
Each spring, Czechs celebrate the end of winter by burning effigies of witches, symbolizing the departure of cold weather and welcoming spring.
30. Hungary’s Busójárás Carnival
In Hungary, the Busójárás festival in Mohács sees people dressed as frightening creatures called Busós, scaring away winter with masks and noise.
31. Norway’s Slow TV Phenomenon: Interesting Things Across Countries
In Norway, people enjoy “Slow TV,” which features uninterrupted footage of scenic landscapes, knitting marathons, or long train journeys. It’s surprisingly popular and soothing.
32. The UK’s Cheese-Rolling Competition
Every spring in Gloucestershire, England, locals chase a wheel of cheese down a steep hill, often resulting in spectacular tumbles and lots of laughter.
These captivating customs offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of human experience, reminding us of the colorful ways people celebrate, live, and connect across the globe.
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