Traditions that are Totally Normal in other countries

Traditions That Are Totally Normal in Other Countries

So what would you do if you walk into a bathroom and instead of toilet paper you found a bowl of water and no instructions either, or what if warding off bad luck meant talking to birds at the park. Sure these things may seem wacky to you but they're pretty normal customs in other countries and some actually sound pretty fun.

For example, if you ever find yourself in the Spanish town of Bunol at the end of August I sure hope you brought some protective gear that is if you happen to catch La Tomatina, a massive one-day light-hearted food fight with none other than the beloved tomato or tomato yep. Thousands of people, thousands of tomatoes, you do the math.

Elsewhere, in Mexico, as you get handed your birthday cake and are about to take that first delicious bite someone will likely push your face right into it you see that at U.S. weddings a lot these days just a waste of good cake.

In Germany if you're 25 and single your friends will often lead you to your birthday party with a string of old socks as you celebrate with drinks. Well I sure hope they wash those socks beforehand.

In the States pull my finger is a risky and smelly game but in Scandinavia Austria and Bavaria Germany finger pulling or finger hacklin is a competitive sport that really competitors will often even pull each other across the table with their middle fingers because they're pulling so hard. Now are we sure it's not that the guy is being jet-propelled across the table.

If you're going on vacation and want to leave with as many good vibes as possible sit down with your household first before you head out the door. In Russia they believe that doing this ensures you have a good trip and Ward's off bad luck. Speaking of which, if you're taking a walk in the park in the UK you might spot a gentleman tipping his hat to a magpie that's because in British folklore these little birds are bad omens but if you tip your hat to it and say "good morning Mr. magpie and how is your lady wife today", you'll reverse your bad luck, the bad British accent is optional.

Elsewhere, in Denmark, if it's your 25th birthday or higher and you're still single, your friends and family throw handfuls of cinnamon at you. The odd tradition is based on history that way back in the 16th century, Danish spice merchants used to stay unmarried because they were too busy traveling around the world, you know trying to spice things up.

Roses are red violets are blue but give someone yellow roses in Mexico and it's goodbye to you. That's because in this country yellow roses signify death oh if you're gifting someone a bouquet for their birthday or anniversary you better stick with a good old dozen red roses.

If you were to spit at your boss or a family member when you greeted them it'd be considered pretty darn rude but in the Masai tribe in Kenya and northern Tanzania spitting into their hands before a handshake is considered appropriate and respectful. This is often the way people in the tribe wish each other good luck and safe travels. It's even done at weddings. So imagine spitting on the bride as a good gesture, it's also how they secure a deal, put a rat there, yeah that'll take some getting used to.

You might gift newlyweds with some sparkling new China but in Germany family and friends actually break dishes the night before a wedding. Doing this tradition known as poulter abend is believed to bring good luck to the couple who are expected to clean the mess up and learn how to work too and if not there will be more dish breaking later on down the road

In Venezuela, the early bird doesn't necessarily get the worm. There, running late isn't a problem the way it is in the US and other countries. When it comes to parties or even work meetings, arriving a few minutes late isn't considered rude. Alright, I'll be booking my ticket now.

You didn't think I wasn't going to include something strange from the US, did you? How about donning top hats and looking at a groundhog named "Punxsutawney Phil" to tell us if spring is here or not? The Groundhog Tradition goes back to February 2nd, 1887. You know, before we had advanced meteorology to really goof up the forecast. Well, in any case, if this furry ground-dweller sees his shadow, that supposedly means six more months of winter!

If you'll want to stand out as a single person, you'll love the French celebration of St. Catherine's Day or, the Patron Saint of unmarried women. On this day in November, bachelorettes aged 25 or older, rock green or yellow hats to celebrate the single life! (Hey, what's up at 25? It's always 25) - is that the deadline or something? Well probably long long ago, when life expectancy was like 28, they didn't want you to keep dilly-dallying or something I guess.

Who needs noisemakers and champagne when you can just throw your furniture out the window to ring in the New Year? In South Africa, the tradition of chucking chairs, tables and whatever furniture out the window onto the street for the New Year, has been going strong since the end of apartheid. This symbolizes the act of ridding your home of past sorrows so that you can make room for happier, more hopeful times (You know, if they started doing that in Times Square, New York, I think i'd watch - from a distance).