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.
#41
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].
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4points
#42
England
The Cotswolds are a hotbed of crazy. As well as the Cheese rolling, there are the Olympiks, which includes the shin kicking competition, and the river football at Bourton on the Water where the game is played in the river that goes down the middle of the high street.
The Cotswolds are a hotbed of crazy. As well as the Cheese rolling, there are the Olympiks, which includes the shin kicking competition, and the river football at Bourton on the Water where the game is played in the river that goes down the middle of the high street.
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4points
#43
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.
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3points
#44
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.
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3points
#45
Hong Kong
Fortune telling for Hong Kong and Shatin at Che Kung Temple.
Fortune telling for Hong Kong and Shatin at Che Kung Temple.
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3points
#46
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 [hell] 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 [hell] 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.
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1point
#47
Belgium
Hazing. Willing students are subjected to humiliating, physically and mentally draining ordeals as part of initiation rituals to the student associations in university.
Hazing. Willing students are subjected to humiliating, physically and mentally draining ordeals as part of initiation rituals to the student associations in university.
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1point
#48
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.
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1point
#49
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.
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1point
#50
USA
Annual world's largest chicken dance.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati Ohio.
Next one is September 2026.
It's always a blast.
Annual world's largest chicken dance.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati Ohio.
Next one is September 2026.
It's always a blast.
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1point
#51
USA
Kinetic Grand Championship in California. Basically a triathlon of foot peddled sculptures.
Kinetic Grand Championship in California. Basically a triathlon of foot peddled sculptures.
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1point
#52
USA
I encourage ANYBODY to go to a Monster Truck Rally. It's just stupid fun.
I encourage ANYBODY to go to a Monster Truck Rally. It's just stupid fun.
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0points
#53
USA
Black Friday, where people put their lives in danger and riot for $200 off a television.
Thankfully the tradition seems to be [vanishing] with the Boomers.
Black Friday, where people put their lives in danger and riot for $200 off a television.
Thankfully the tradition seems to be [vanishing] with the Boomers.
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0points
#54
USA
Red Bull Flugtag. Why not build a silly flying machine and compete for who's goes farthest.
Red Bull Flugtag. Why not build a silly flying machine and compete for who's goes farthest.
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0points
#55
There’s some parts of Alaska that are so far north they don’t get nighttime during the summer. Our Independence Day is July 4th and the way we celebrate is lighting off fireworks. Fireworks are kinda hard to see during the daytime unfortunately for these places in Alaska so instead they just launch old broken cars off a cliff. It’s so dumb but kinda awesome.
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0points
#57
USA
Worm gruntin’ festival. Worm grunting is a unique tradition in Northwest Florida where people vibrate the ground to coax earthworms to the surface. Theres a worm grunting competition, food, costumes, and even a worm grunting ball.
Worm gruntin’ festival. Worm grunting is a unique tradition in Northwest Florida where people vibrate the ground to coax earthworms to the surface. Theres a worm grunting competition, food, costumes, and even a worm grunting ball.
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-1point
#58
USA
I’m from North Carolina and we have the Wooly Worm Festival. Wooly worms are these guys and, according to folk lore, you can predict the severity of the upcoming winter based on their patterns (this has been reviewed scientifically and is not at all true). Kids catch them and race them at the festival!
I’m from North Carolina and we have the Wooly Worm Festival. Wooly worms are these guys and, according to folk lore, you can predict the severity of the upcoming winter based on their patterns (this has been reviewed scientifically and is not at all true). Kids catch them and race them at the festival!
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-2points
#59
I'm not sure if this is still a tradition or exclusive to the US but the Cannonball Run is both really awesome and really stupid and dangerous.
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-2points
#60
USA
Well my first one was already taken, so in a few western states that have a long mining history, we have pack burro (donkey) races. You have to lead the burro, you can't ride it. It's an official "summer heritage sport" in Colorado.
Well my first one was already taken, so in a few western states that have a long mining history, we have pack burro (donkey) races. You have to lead the burro, you can't ride it. It's an official "summer heritage sport" in Colorado.
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-2points