Every country has something peculiar that makes it different from the others. Take traditions, for example; some countries have customs and celebrations that might seem completely wild to some but are totally natural to others.
Spain, for example, has the festival of La Tomatina, where people just basically throw a bunch of tomatoes at each other. The Māori people of New Zealand have a traditional dance called Haka that they use to welcome, honor, or intimidate.
But some traditions can be so outrageous and silly that even the locals think they're a little bit too much. When the user u/SnooPoems7525 asked people online to share the "stupid traditions" in their countries, folks from all over the globe had something to say. Some picked pretty bad ones; others focused on those that are just harmlessly fun yet still pretty ridiculous.
#1
Australia
We have the Henley on Todd Regatta up in Alice Springs. It’s a boat race on a dry river bed.
We have the Henley on Todd Regatta up in Alice Springs. It’s a boat race on a dry river bed.
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33points
#2
England
Cooper's Hill cheese roll which simply involves chasing a cheese wheel down a hill. Has been practiced for centuries and no one knows why. People get injured over chasing a wheel of cheese. Tbh I think most traditional things are a bit dumb/cringe.
Cooper's Hill cheese roll which simply involves chasing a cheese wheel down a hill. Has been practiced for centuries and no one knows why. People get injured over chasing a wheel of cheese. Tbh I think most traditional things are a bit dumb/cringe.
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32points
#3
Finland
Wife-carrying competitions. It's an obstacle race, and the winner gets their wife's weight of beer. Doesn't have to be a wife though, a girlfriend, a cute neighbor etc. are fine.
Wife-carrying competitions. It's an obstacle race, and the winner gets their wife's weight of beer. Doesn't have to be a wife though, a girlfriend, a cute neighbor etc. are fine.
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29points
#4
Spain
So hear me out. Shortly before Christmas you go to "the forest" (aka nearby store) and get a Tió, which is a log with a painted face and a traditional catalan hat. You put your Tió in a warm corner in your living room, cover it with a blanket so it doesn't get cold, and periodically feed it orange or tangerine peels. On Christmas eve, children gather around it with sticks and start beating the [hell[ out of the poor thing while singing the traditional song. Which basically says: "either you [drop] out gifts, nougat and almonds, or we'll beat you up until you do". After the song the blanket is removed to reveal all the gifts the Tió has [dropped]. Fun times xD.
So hear me out. Shortly before Christmas you go to "the forest" (aka nearby store) and get a Tió, which is a log with a painted face and a traditional catalan hat. You put your Tió in a warm corner in your living room, cover it with a blanket so it doesn't get cold, and periodically feed it orange or tangerine peels. On Christmas eve, children gather around it with sticks and start beating the [hell[ out of the poor thing while singing the traditional song. Which basically says: "either you [drop] out gifts, nougat and almonds, or we'll beat you up until you do". After the song the blanket is removed to reveal all the gifts the Tió has [dropped]. Fun times xD.
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28points
#5
Canada
We have bathtub races. It’s a race from Nanaimo to Vancouver in a bathtub (with a motor attached). The race began in 1967 as a unique way to celebrate Canada's 100th birthday and has grown into a major event.
We have bathtub races. It’s a race from Nanaimo to Vancouver in a bathtub (with a motor attached). The race began in 1967 as a unique way to celebrate Canada's 100th birthday and has grown into a major event.
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24points
#6
Spain
La tomatina de Buñol.
They get the rejected tomatoes and start a tomato battle. Simple and stupid as that.
...now, La tomatina is one stage in Tekken XD.
La tomatina de Buñol.
They get the rejected tomatoes and start a tomato battle. Simple and stupid as that.
...now, La tomatina is one stage in Tekken XD.
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21points
#7
France
The race on an inclined mast :
It consist to running up a soap-coated pole tilted over the water (like a bowsprit), to try and grab laurel branches and a flag hanging from the end.
The race on an inclined mast :
It consist to running up a soap-coated pole tilted over the water (like a bowsprit), to try and grab laurel branches and a flag hanging from the end.
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21points
#8
Autralia
The tuna hammerthrow at Tunarama in Pt Lincoln, South Australia. They throw rubber fish now but up until 5ish years ago the tuna were real.
The tuna hammerthrow at Tunarama in Pt Lincoln, South Australia. They throw rubber fish now but up until 5ish years ago the tuna were real.
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21points
#9
France
Nautical jousting in the South of France. It's completely stupid but it looks super fun. A bit like béhourd (combat with medieval weapons and armor).
Nautical jousting in the South of France. It's completely stupid but it looks super fun. A bit like béhourd (combat with medieval weapons and armor).
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20points
#10
USA
Not well known in the US but it’s a big country so I’ll nominate my state’s dumb tradition. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan there is an annual outhouse race. Stupid? Probably. Awesome? Definitely. Great place to get drunk? You betcha.
Not well known in the US but it’s a big country so I’ll nominate my state’s dumb tradition. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan there is an annual outhouse race. Stupid? Probably. Awesome? Definitely. Great place to get drunk? You betcha.
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20points
#11
New Zealand
Gumboot throwing competition. Most famously held in a place with a giant gumboot.
Gumboot throwing competition. Most famously held in a place with a giant gumboot.
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15points
#12
Switzerland
Queen fights. Every year there'll be a series of fights between queens (cows) with the winner being crowded the Queen of queens.
You get two dominant herd leaders and put them in a ring. They lock horns and start shoving to establish dominance. The one that backs down or gets pushed a certain distance loses.
The cows become famous. I.e you can buy calendars of famous cows etc.
Queen fights. Every year there'll be a series of fights between queens (cows) with the winner being crowded the Queen of queens.
You get two dominant herd leaders and put them in a ring. They lock horns and start shoving to establish dominance. The one that backs down or gets pushed a certain distance loses.
The cows become famous. I.e you can buy calendars of famous cows etc.
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14points
#13
Ecuador
During new year celebrations, men dress in drag and roam the streets asking for money. Originally it was in representation of a widow asking for money to bury her old husband (the year that just passed).
Keep in mind that this is not only acceptable but encouraged on that day. Do it any other day and you'll get very dirty looks.
During new year celebrations, men dress in drag and roam the streets asking for money. Originally it was in representation of a widow asking for money to bury her old husband (the year that just passed).
Keep in mind that this is not only acceptable but encouraged on that day. Do it any other day and you'll get very dirty looks.
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14points
#14
Turkey
Family of the deceased is expected serve every guest (usually about 30-50 people) a dinner after the funeral.
It doesn't sound bad but I remember during my grandmother's funeral this year how my dad, aunt and uncle basically had no choice but to instantly start arrangements when they were crying just 10 minutes ago because relatives of outer circle expected dinner, they should have been comforted and instead they were kept busy.
Family of the deceased is expected serve every guest (usually about 30-50 people) a dinner after the funeral.
It doesn't sound bad but I remember during my grandmother's funeral this year how my dad, aunt and uncle basically had no choice but to instantly start arrangements when they were crying just 10 minutes ago because relatives of outer circle expected dinner, they should have been comforted and instead they were kept busy.
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13points
#15
Mexico
Dressing baby Jesus.
It’s a tradition every February 2nd to dress baby Jesus in different ways.
It’s like having Barbies but with baby Jesus dolls.
The catholic church is not happy and always suggest people a dress code 😄 but people keep doing what ever they want and is not a joke for them, they actually do it with respect even it could look funny.
Of course there are some people who do it as a joke but in general is a tradition with respect from some old school catholic people.
Dressing baby Jesus.
It’s a tradition every February 2nd to dress baby Jesus in different ways.
It’s like having Barbies but with baby Jesus dolls.
The catholic church is not happy and always suggest people a dress code 😄 but people keep doing what ever they want and is not a joke for them, they actually do it with respect even it could look funny.
Of course there are some people who do it as a joke but in general is a tradition with respect from some old school catholic people.
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13points
#16
Canada
In my province, there’s a Christmas tradition called “mummering”.
People get dressed up in ridiculous, thrown-together outfits that hide their identity. Think; multi-layered and oversized clothing, huge undergarments worn on the outside, big clunky boots and mittens, and scarfs/glasses/masks/ even lampshades to disguise their faces.
Like carollers, the mummers will go door to door around the neighbourhood looking to be invited in for a drink or a dance or just to cause some good old fashioned foolishness. (The mummers are usually known to the people the visit but keeping their identity hidden during the charade is the goal)
There are songs about it, Christmas ornaments, even mummer-themed entertainment nights are put off at local venues.
If you ever get visited by mummers on Christmas you can bet there’ll be no shortage of laughs and gossip after they’ve left trying to figure out who each one was
In my province, there’s a Christmas tradition called “mummering”.
People get dressed up in ridiculous, thrown-together outfits that hide their identity. Think; multi-layered and oversized clothing, huge undergarments worn on the outside, big clunky boots and mittens, and scarfs/glasses/masks/ even lampshades to disguise their faces.
Like carollers, the mummers will go door to door around the neighbourhood looking to be invited in for a drink or a dance or just to cause some good old fashioned foolishness. (The mummers are usually known to the people the visit but keeping their identity hidden during the charade is the goal)
There are songs about it, Christmas ornaments, even mummer-themed entertainment nights are put off at local venues.
If you ever get visited by mummers on Christmas you can bet there’ll be no shortage of laughs and gossip after they’ve left trying to figure out who each one was
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12points
#17
USA
More silly than stupid, the Pumpkin Chuck Festival. Hobbyists and engineers create these extremely powerful machines including trebuchets and pneumatic canons to see which team can chuck (throw) a standardized pumpkin the farthest. The current record is held by Big-10 that chucked a pumpkin 5,545.43 feet (1,690.25 m) or a little over a mile.
More silly than stupid, the Pumpkin Chuck Festival. Hobbyists and engineers create these extremely powerful machines including trebuchets and pneumatic canons to see which team can chuck (throw) a standardized pumpkin the farthest. The current record is held by Big-10 that chucked a pumpkin 5,545.43 feet (1,690.25 m) or a little over a mile.
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12points
#18
Canada
Polarbear dip.
People will jump into a hole that's been cut into the ice. Don't think many people do it anymore. Was kinda a thing just to say you did it but it was also sometimes done for charity.
Polarbear dip.
People will jump into a hole that's been cut into the ice. Don't think many people do it anymore. Was kinda a thing just to say you did it but it was also sometimes done for charity.
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12points
#19
Denmark
Tying your friends to a street lamp on their 25th birthday and showering them with boatloads of cinnamon powder.
*If they are not married by 25. If you get married before 25, you don't get "kanel".
Sometimes your friends pour water on you before the cinnamon, to really make it stick or they just give some cinnamon rolls and sticks.
Tying your friends to a street lamp on their 25th birthday and showering them with boatloads of cinnamon powder.
*If they are not married by 25. If you get married before 25, you don't get "kanel".
Sometimes your friends pour water on you before the cinnamon, to really make it stick or they just give some cinnamon rolls and sticks.
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12points
#20
Russia
I don’t think traditions are dumb/cringe. They had the meaning at some point. Now we can make them “dumb” or “cringe” when we don’t have the meaning behind it anymore, so it’s just incomprehensible to nowadays society.
In Russia we have a funny experience celebrating Easter - we have chicken eggs boiled and painted with different patterns. In the morning we have something like egg fights, where each person chooses an egg (some look at the painting or colour, some choose with their teeth - like to slightly knock them against the tip of the egg to guess if it’s hard and strong enough).
After choosing the egg you pick who is going to hit and who is going to take a hit (it usually doesn’t matter). Whose egg is not cracked wins.
In some parts of Russia winners have a right to take the opponent’s egg and eat it. In other parts of our country the loser eats the cracked egg and the winner continues his contest with other people.
I think it’s quite fun, also a great thing to boost family bonding. Even if you’re not religious you usually do it just for fan and as a small tradition.
I don’t think traditions are dumb/cringe. They had the meaning at some point. Now we can make them “dumb” or “cringe” when we don’t have the meaning behind it anymore, so it’s just incomprehensible to nowadays society.
In Russia we have a funny experience celebrating Easter - we have chicken eggs boiled and painted with different patterns. In the morning we have something like egg fights, where each person chooses an egg (some look at the painting or colour, some choose with their teeth - like to slightly knock them against the tip of the egg to guess if it’s hard and strong enough).
After choosing the egg you pick who is going to hit and who is going to take a hit (it usually doesn’t matter). Whose egg is not cracked wins.
In some parts of Russia winners have a right to take the opponent’s egg and eat it. In other parts of our country the loser eats the cracked egg and the winner continues his contest with other people.
I think it’s quite fun, also a great thing to boost family bonding. Even if you’re not religious you usually do it just for fan and as a small tradition.
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11points