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.
#21
New Zealand
Crate Day is an absolute riot. Stupid to some but for many of us it's one of the highlights we look forward to this day usually the first weekend in December.
It's twelve (750ml) bottles of beer you usually start in the afternoon and keep going until you're done. For some that never happens they can't finish it as it is a lot of beer, for others it's a war and for a select few it's a walk in the park. My group of friends we always finish our crates but it's a long battle.
Have done five crate days these last five years in a row and it doesn't get any easier but our secret weapon is guitars lots of singing and lots of laughing.
Crate Day is an absolute riot. Stupid to some but for many of us it's one of the highlights we look forward to this day usually the first weekend in December.
It's twelve (750ml) bottles of beer you usually start in the afternoon and keep going until you're done. For some that never happens they can't finish it as it is a lot of beer, for others it's a war and for a select few it's a walk in the park. My group of friends we always finish our crates but it's a long battle.
Have done five crate days these last five years in a row and it doesn't get any easier but our secret weapon is guitars lots of singing and lots of laughing.
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11points
#22
United Kingdom
Usually mentioned alongside the cheese chasing in weird and unique UK town traditions is the tar barrels from my hometown. Like the running of the bulls in Barcelona, but replace the bull with an ogre of a man running at you with a barrel of fire.
Usually mentioned alongside the cheese chasing in weird and unique UK town traditions is the tar barrels from my hometown. Like the running of the bulls in Barcelona, but replace the bull with an ogre of a man running at you with a barrel of fire.
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11points
#23
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.
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11points
#24
Germany
Where do i start...
Maybe Stocherkahnrennen (Stake boat race)?
The most known one is a competition for Students. It involves heavy drinking, a self built boat and a team of 8. The goal is to be the fastest down a river. One pushes the boat with a stake, while the other seven have to steer and defend against other boats with their bare hands.
An other one would be the labour day traditions:
* local to me, people take "Bollerwagen" (small, hand drawn carts), fill them with crates of beer, put a speaker on top and hike to the top of the next hill with their friends while drinking. As this is open to every age group, fun things happen, like seeing your teachers or someomes grandparents get wasted.
* in big cities people putting expensive looking cars on fire has become a tradition of its own
And dont get me started on alemannic carnival, scared the [hell] out of me as a kid. Getting chased by people in costumes and scary wooden masks, that can grab you and take you with them or even hold you over a fire. Not fun.
Where do i start...
Maybe Stocherkahnrennen (Stake boat race)?
The most known one is a competition for Students. It involves heavy drinking, a self built boat and a team of 8. The goal is to be the fastest down a river. One pushes the boat with a stake, while the other seven have to steer and defend against other boats with their bare hands.
An other one would be the labour day traditions:
* local to me, people take "Bollerwagen" (small, hand drawn carts), fill them with crates of beer, put a speaker on top and hike to the top of the next hill with their friends while drinking. As this is open to every age group, fun things happen, like seeing your teachers or someomes grandparents get wasted.
* in big cities people putting expensive looking cars on fire has become a tradition of its own
And dont get me started on alemannic carnival, scared the [hell] out of me as a kid. Getting chased by people in costumes and scary wooden masks, that can grab you and take you with them or even hold you over a fire. Not fun.
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10points
#25
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.
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9points
#26
USA
The Giant Pumpkin Regatta. Grow a 1000lb pumpkin, hollow it out, get in and paddle.
The Giant Pumpkin Regatta. Grow a 1000lb pumpkin, hollow it out, get in and paddle.
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9points
#27
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.
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8points
#28
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.
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8points
#30
Olive oil wrestling in Turkey. Makes no sense but people take it very seriously.
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8points
#31
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.
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7points
#32
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.
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7points
#33
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 sucks 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 sucks 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.
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6points
#34
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.
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6points
#36
Netherlands
Carbid schieten or carbide shooting. I don’t even know how to explain it, I’ve never been close enough to see it happen, but I’ve heard the explosions. Every year. As if the fireworks weren’t enough.
Carbid schieten or carbide shooting. I don’t even know how to explain it, I’ve never been close enough to see it happen, but I’ve heard the explosions. Every year. As if the fireworks weren’t enough.
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6points
#37
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.
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5points
#38
United Kingdom
Not saying it’s not fun. But Bonfire Night. Catholic failed to blow up parliament (didn’t even have enough explosives even if he were successful) and 400 years later it’s still a massive celebration.
Not saying it’s not fun. But Bonfire Night. Catholic failed to blow up parliament (didn’t even have enough explosives even if he were successful) and 400 years later it’s still a massive celebration.
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5points
#39
USA
Climbing greased poles when the Eagles win or lose. Go birds.
Climbing greased poles when the Eagles win or lose. Go birds.
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4points
#40
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.
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4points