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.
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#21
Netherlands
On new years day we look for a body of water, traditionally the sea, and we take a new years dip. We run into the sea, on januari 1st, even if there is snow and subzero temperatures.
On new years day we look for a body of water, traditionally the sea, and we take a new years dip. We run into the sea, on januari 1st, even if there is snow and subzero temperatures.
Report
0points
#22
Poland
We have a tradition of spraying/shooting/dumping water on someone on the first monday of easter. As you can see volontuary firefighters participate in that as well.
We have a tradition of spraying/shooting/dumping water on someone on the first monday of easter. As you can see volontuary firefighters participate in that as well.
Report
0points
#23
Mexico
Fireworks at 5:00 am on every religious holiday. Nothing like being forced awake that early on Christmas Day.
Fireworks at 5:00 am on every religious holiday. Nothing like being forced awake that early on Christmas Day.
Report
0points
#24
USA
Cardboard boat races. Although I think they may also do these in the UK, and likely Canada.
Cardboard boat races. Although I think they may also do these in the UK, and likely Canada.
Report
0points
#25
Germany
I just learned the other day that in some tiny town in East Germany, they weigh a tomcat in a public ceremony on the first sunday of advent.
The amount of weight he has put on since the summer is supposed to predict how severe the winter will be.
I just learned the other day that in some tiny town in East Germany, they weigh a tomcat in a public ceremony on the first sunday of advent.
The amount of weight he has put on since the summer is supposed to predict how severe the winter will be.
Report
0points
#27
Olive oil wrestling in Turkey. Makes no sense but people take it very seriously.
Report
0points
#28
USA
Groundhog Day, where we yank a groundhog out of the ground and if he does not see his shadow we have an early spring, if he does then we have 6 more weeks of winter.
The President pardons a turkey from being eaten every year, which is really funny.
State and county fairs aren’t quite “stupid” but they’re a good time, always.
Tailgating before a football game is objectively a little odd, but they’re also super fun.
The pageantry of college sports I know seems odd to foreigners, but I love it. Mostly because my professional team [is bad] while my college team is poised to be a consistent contender for the next decade. It also just feels more authentic than any of the professional leagues.
Groundhog Day, where we yank a groundhog out of the ground and if he does not see his shadow we have an early spring, if he does then we have 6 more weeks of winter.
The President pardons a turkey from being eaten every year, which is really funny.
State and county fairs aren’t quite “stupid” but they’re a good time, always.
Tailgating before a football game is objectively a little odd, but they’re also super fun.
The pageantry of college sports I know seems odd to foreigners, but I love it. Mostly because my professional team [is bad] while my college team is poised to be a consistent contender for the next decade. It also just feels more authentic than any of the professional leagues.
Report
0points
#29
Beating women as a folks fest on the North Sea Isle of Borkum (Germany).
drmanhattanmar:
It’s called „Klaasohm“. Local boys dress up in costumes like these and have a parade around town. It’s not worth going into detail but the point was: Until 2023 it was part of the tradition to chase women around, hold them and beat their bottoms with a cow horn. Which was of course very painful and sometimes traumatic, because most women don’t want to be chased and beaten (there might be some who had fun with this part and were okay with it) but didn’t want to stay at home either. So they were chased and beaten. And of course running did make things worse because you know… it’s part of the "game".
Journalists brought this to light in 2023, after that the locals officially announced to stop with that. If they really did… I don’t know.
drmanhattanmar:
It’s called „Klaasohm“. Local boys dress up in costumes like these and have a parade around town. It’s not worth going into detail but the point was: Until 2023 it was part of the tradition to chase women around, hold them and beat their bottoms with a cow horn. Which was of course very painful and sometimes traumatic, because most women don’t want to be chased and beaten (there might be some who had fun with this part and were okay with it) but didn’t want to stay at home either. So they were chased and beaten. And of course running did make things worse because you know… it’s part of the "game".
Journalists brought this to light in 2023, after that the locals officially announced to stop with that. If they really did… I don’t know.
Report
0points
#30
Chile
There is a more recent tradition called "the Strait dip" in which thousands of people go into the waters of the Strait of Magellan during the winter wearing only swimsuits.
This year a little over 7000 people participated and next year is expected to be the same.
There is a more recent tradition called "the Strait dip" in which thousands of people go into the waters of the Strait of Magellan during the winter wearing only swimsuits.
This year a little over 7000 people participated and next year is expected to be the same.
Report
0points
#32
USA
Climbing greased poles when the Eagles win or lose. Go birds.
Climbing greased poles when the Eagles win or lose. Go birds.
Report
0points
#33
USA
My dad went to high school in Preston, Idaho, and they had a tradition where every year they raced beds down main street. We only went once, but it was really weird.
My dad went to high school in Preston, Idaho, and they had a tradition where every year they raced beds down main street. We only went once, but it was really weird.
Report
0points
#34
USA
I'm not sure that we invented this game, but I've seen people play it.
I'm not sure that we invented this game, but I've seen people play it.
Report
0points
#35
USA
Despite the name, something that isn't really cringey but a whole lot of fun is Stickball, this is really only played in Oklahoma from my knowledge and isn't played professionally to the same extent that Football is.
It's a Native American sport, the goal is to hit an item, usually a wood carving of a fish, ontop of a pole that is about as tall as a telephone pole. The game is played boys vs girls, usually. My fellow dudes play with two sticks, both have baskets on them just big enough to hold the ball (little smaller than a tennis ball) One of the sticks is shaped to be better for throwing, they cannot use their hands at all during the game, only sticks. The girls meanwhile get to use their hands to get and throw the ball, yes they are alowed to grab your sticks.
The game gets super competitive when playing it, but everyone has a fun time generally. There are a lot of injuries, especially with the sticks.
Despite the name, something that isn't really cringey but a whole lot of fun is Stickball, this is really only played in Oklahoma from my knowledge and isn't played professionally to the same extent that Football is.
It's a Native American sport, the goal is to hit an item, usually a wood carving of a fish, ontop of a pole that is about as tall as a telephone pole. The game is played boys vs girls, usually. My fellow dudes play with two sticks, both have baskets on them just big enough to hold the ball (little smaller than a tennis ball) One of the sticks is shaped to be better for throwing, they cannot use their hands at all during the game, only sticks. The girls meanwhile get to use their hands to get and throw the ball, yes they are alowed to grab your sticks.
The game gets super competitive when playing it, but everyone has a fun time generally. There are a lot of injuries, especially with the sticks.
Report
0points
#36
Ireland
Puck Fair.
3 day festival involving a goat being put in a cage for all three days (until very recently) and hoisted in the air.
Puck Fair.
3 day festival involving a goat being put in a cage for all three days (until very recently) and hoisted in the air.
Report
0points
#37
Spain
I think most of you are familiar with the Spanish tradition of people running in front of a bunch of bulls. Many foreigners assist every year, many people end up injured.
But reading about the frog competition, I remembered there is this less famous tradition in some parts of Spain where people compete with male pigeons. They release a female one, then each team releases his male pigeon, often painted with bright colours, and I don't really exactly know who the winner is, as it's just a big floating ball of pigeons in the air and you can't see [anything].
I think most of you are familiar with the Spanish tradition of people running in front of a bunch of bulls. Many foreigners assist every year, many people end up injured.
But reading about the frog competition, I remembered there is this less famous tradition in some parts of Spain where people compete with male pigeons. They release a female one, then each team releases his male pigeon, often painted with bright colours, and I don't really exactly know who the winner is, as it's just a big floating ball of pigeons in the air and you can't see [anything].
Report
0points
#38
USA
Near where I lived in California, a bunch of folks will collect frogs and see how far they can jump by putting them down and then scaring the [h**l] out of them to get them to jump far.
This is a serious competition and people get into fights over it, and where they source their frogs etc.
Near where I lived in California, a bunch of folks will collect frogs and see how far they can jump by putting them down and then scaring the [h**l] out of them to get them to jump far.
This is a serious competition and people get into fights over it, and where they source their frogs etc.
Report
0points
#39
USA
I can’t believe none of my brothers and sisters from the southern states have mentioned Oakie Noodling.
Basically stick your hand into the zero visibility murk of some hillbilly swamp and pull out a monster catfish with your bare hands.
I salute you.
I can’t believe none of my brothers and sisters from the southern states have mentioned Oakie Noodling.
Basically stick your hand into the zero visibility murk of some hillbilly swamp and pull out a monster catfish with your bare hands.
I salute you.
Report
0points
#40
USA
Rolling an old car out on a frozen lake and taking bets on exactly when it will fall through.
Rolling an old car out on a frozen lake and taking bets on exactly when it will fall through.
Report
0points