What Is an Interesting Tradition or Custom in Your Country?

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The discussion revolves around various interesting traditions and customs from different countries. In Canada, a notable tradition is that boys are often encouraged to play hockey from a young age, with talent leading to continued participation. In the U.S., children's birthday parties are characterized by elaborate themes, games, and the expectation of giving out prizes to all attendees, regardless of participation. The UK humorously reflects on a perceived loss of traditions, with tea-drinking being a common cultural reference. Additionally, a folk tradition related to the winter equinox is mentioned, involving a parade with characters symbolizing death and folly, while spring celebrations include dancing around a maypole. The conversation also touches on unique local customs, such as a fishing tradition in Maine where fishermen teach their children to mislead others about their fishing spots. Overall, the thread highlights the diversity and humor found in cultural practices across different regions.
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What is interesting tradition or custom in your country ...like just for sake of example in Taiwan receiving a pine apple for a gift is a good omen for a business person...
 
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heman said:
What is interesting tradition or custom in your country ...like just for sake of example in Taiwan receiving a pine apple for a gift is a good omen for a business person...

In Canada, if you have a son, it is tradition to make him play hockey and organized hockey for atleast 1 year at a relatively young age. If he has talent, he plays hockey and that's the end of the story.

I think that's the only one we have.
 
Being Swedish involves dancing around poles while singing about frogs without tails.
 
JasonRox said:
In Canada, if you have a son, it is tradition to make him play hockey and organized hockey for atleast 1 year at a relatively young age. If he has talent, he plays hockey and that's the end of the story.

I think that's the only one we have.
Too funny. True, but funny. I wish I could have started played at a young age. It would have made things a bit easier later.
 
In the US, if you hold a birthday party for your child, you are expected to organize several meaningless games that do not involve winning anything. Prizes must be given out to ever child guest that is there, no matter what level of participation.

The party must have a theme (dinosaurs, pirates, etc) and the theme must be repeated constantly through the party in large and small ways (birthday cake in shape of ship, "walking the plank" game, "pillaging small village" project). Costumes are recommended, and these can be of the cheapest variety (paper plates and crayon masks, etc.)

At least 2/3 of parents there must be videotaping the procedures at all times.

All guests must bring presents that must attempt to hold to the appearance that the child is the one who picked out the present (which is also supposed to adhere to the theme).

Throughout the event all children must be fed with sugar in as many of its forms as possible.

At the end of the procedure, the host must provide the departing guest with a bag of theme-related junk that consists of several small pieces of plastic that are useless for any form of entertainment or education and will be thrown into a garbage receptacle within a week.

Before these pieces are thrown out, a card must be sent to the host aknowledging the fun had by all at the party. The host must also send a card to each guest giving thanks for attendance.

A second round of cards must be sent acknowledging recept of the first card and thanking guest/host for the nice thought contained within card.

A third round of cards is currently optional.
 
In the Uk we locked all our traditions in a safe place and then forgot where we put the key.

Failing that we drink a lot of tea.
 
Kurdt said:
In the Uk we locked all our traditions in a safe place and then forgot where we put the key.

Failing that we drink a lot of tea.

You mean we try and lock it away but it keeps coming back to haunt us.

A particularly persistent folk tradition or performance, is I think centred around the winter equinox(Samhain) , there's the lord who calls the shots, there's a dark figure(who represents death) generally behaves menacingly, another character, the fool seems to like winding him up though(what can I say he is a fool?) The fools job it is to create mischief and to bash people over the head with a cows bladder and talk rubbish(as far as I can tell he's meant to be the villiage idiot) And a few other representative figures which have something to do with the harvest, I seem to forget the details.

Last time I saw this a couple of years ago it was quite an entertaining parade. If they followed the ceremony properly though the fool is crowned king over the lord and locked in a wicker cage where later he is burnt to death in sacrifice. Shame they didn't go the whole hog, but then I don't think they were real pagans anyway:smile:

There's also the spring equinox as well (Beltain) Where young nubile women dance around a maypole - which represents guess what - in the hope that the gods will make them pregnant, well actually not these days people do it because it's traditional rather than any religous significance.

And don't get me started on morris dancers.
 
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Schrodinger's Dog said:
And don't get me started on morris dancers.
They have spread across the States, you know. Every vernal equinox, these guys collect on the top of local high points and do that...stuff...they do with the bells and ribbons and...you know. Every year it makes the local newspapers, again.
 
FredGarvin said:
Too funny. True, but funny. I wish I could have started played at a young age. It would have made things a bit easier later.

Same here. My parents broke the tradition. :cry:

I played hockey, but much too late. Believe or not, I talked to them about how they broke the unspoken law. :eek:
 
  • #10
Chi Meson said:
Stuff
I utterly despise birthdays. Such a stupid "holiday". And the ridiculous attitude that many people have "it's my birthday, I shouldn't have to do anything productive. Waaa." [/rant]

Now, un-birthdays on the other hand :approve: .
 
  • #11
franznietzsche said:
I utterly despise birthdays. Such a stupid "holiday". And the ridiculous attitude that many people have "it's my birthday, I shouldn't have to do anything productive. Waaa." [/rant]

Now, un-birthdays on the other hand :approve: .

It gets annoying too.

I always hear kids at work whining about working on their birthday when it's only a 4-5 hour shift that ends no later than 6.
 
  • #12
Well I prefer to be busy on my birthdday since I don't want to think of the day that all my troubles get started and also I don't find any great thing about getting older! :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
Lisa! said:
Well I prefer to be busy on my birthday since I don't want to think of the day that all my troubles get started and also I don't find any great thing about getting older! :rolleyes:

How old are you lisa?
 
  • #14
cyrusabdollahi said:
How old are you lisa?
You don't know that's not polite to ask a lady how old she is? :devil:
 
  • #15
If your under 30, you can tell me your age. If you don't ill assume your over 30. :rolleyes:

Not polite, why not? pfft...
 
  • #16
franznietzsche said:
I utterly despise birthdays. Such a stupid "holiday". And the ridiculous attitude that many people have "it's my birthday, I shouldn't have to do anything productive. Waaa." [/rant]

Now, un-birthdays on the other hand :approve: .

but it is an important date, the Earth circled the sun for a round number of years since you were born.

to me, birthday is like a reminder that your life has been shortened by one year...about customs... we have our jewish customs here in israel(to most people its just the holidays...), and customs from different ethnic origins.
but none are of the whole nation...
my mom's origin is mrocco, there is a day when people from such origin gather togather in a food festival with sweet morocian recepies. though in my family we don't do that, we are too cynical i guess,like this whole country.
 
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  • #17
For me, Birthday is enlightenment period. I don't go out and party or celebrate (though friends try to get me to), I try to accept or acknowledge something about me that I want to change. It's like new years resolutions only it's personal and more intense, I guess.
 
  • #18
:confused:

There's no mention of birthdays on OP!:biggrin:
cyrusabdollahi said:
If your under 30, you can tell me your age. If you don't ill assume your over 30. :rolleyes:

Not polite, why not? pfft...
Under 50!o:)
 
  • #19
Hmmm between 30-50. No wonder you call me a kiddie all the time...

I thought you were in your late 20's.
 
  • #20
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Halloween and Thanksgiving.
 
  • #21
Evo said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Halloween and Thanksgiving.
I guess they are known ones, at least not as obscure as the pineapple exchange.
 
  • #22
cyrusabdollahi said:
Hmmm between 30-50. No wonder you call me a kiddie all the time...

I thought you were in your late 20's.
:smile: :smile: :smile:

I'll be 24 on Sep. 15th, sweetie! But yeah you're a kiddie in comapre with me anyway.
 
  • #23
Evo said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Don't get me started!
 
  • #24
In Maine, if you are a fisherman, it's traditional to teach your children to lie about where they caught the big brook trout. If your childeren are too young to comply with this simple rule, it is considered permissable to lie to them about the names of the ponds, so when their friends' dads ask "Where did you and your daddy catch those big fish?" he will innocently direct them to a very unproductive spot, or perhaps one that is simply non-existent. When I was a very young kid, one of my favorite ponds to fish on was called "Secret Pond". When I got older, I found out the real name.:smile:
 
  • #25
Evo said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Halloween and Thanksgiving.

The pagan performance I mentioned merged with an original tradition( Incidently the wicker man the new movie with Nicholas cage probably has a rendition of it, if it's even simillar to the original movie with Edward Woodward) And Samhein was slowly changed into Halloween(all hallows eve, the day before all saints day) Over the years I believe, just like many of the major Christian festivals all conveniently fall over major pagan festivals, a supplanting of local custom for the catholic religion. I'd be surprised for example if Jesus died on the Friday after the first full moon of the vernal equinox, but it just so happens that pagan traditions happened around this time, well blow me! :wink:

PS That reminds me why has Edward Woodward got four D's in his name?

Because otherwise he'd be Ewar Woowar.:smile:
 
  • #26
Lisa! said:
:smile: :smile: :smile:

I'll be 24 on Sep. 15th, sweetie! But yeah you're a kiddie in comapre with me anyway.

See, I knew it. I am only 3 years younger and smarter than you, 'honey' :wink:
 
  • #27
cyrusabdollahi said:
If your under 30, you can tell me your age. If you don't ill assume your over 30. :rolleyes:

Not polite, why not? pfft...
It's a meaningless question anyway.

Somewhere around age 25 or so, the female lifespan becomes inextricably linked with relativity and time dilation effects by a formula as yet unknow to Man (though Women appear to be intuitively aware of the equation).

As in all things regading relativity, the age of a woman depends on the Observer, and what the Observer perceives will not be the same value as from the perspective of the object observed.

Give up now! You'll just give yourself a headache:biggrin:
 
  • #28
It's traditional in the UK not to either underestimate a lady in your speech or question her age or make guesses that are .00000000000001 milliseconds over her actual age, if the value you are told is actually ten years less than the actual age or more it is the truth or may as well be. Playing around with this tradition will result in you being less likely to make it to your next birthday.:smile:

The length of time a lady remains at the age of 39 or 21 or however that goes is due to a simillar principle of that of the limit of speed in the universe. A lady may approach but never reach the age at which she feels least comfortable :wink:

Simillarly a man may approach but never reach the age where he is considered a grown up.
 
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  • #29
Lisa! said:
:smile: :smile: :smile:

I'll be 24 on Sep. 15th, sweetie! But yeah you're a kiddie in comapre with me anyway.

That's what I guessed around.

You did not in anyway come out as over 30.

I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing though.
 
  • #30
cyrusabdollahi said:
See, I knew it. I am only 3 years younger and smarter than you, 'honey' :wink:
That's because you're in love with me, dear bunny!

I don't know why the word 'honey' always reminds me of 'money'!o:)

JasonRox said:
That's what I guessed around.

You did not in anyway come out as over 30.
Glad that I don't look like an old geezer!:-p
I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing though.
Let's say that's natural! :wink:
 
  • #31
JasonRox said:
In Canada, if you have a son, it is tradition to make him play hockey and organized hockey for atleast 1 year at a relatively young age. If he has talent, he plays hockey and that's the end of the story.

I think that's the only one we have.

its weird!
By the way Hockey happens to be India's national sport...
Do you know what's the story behind it??
 
  • #32
Lisa! said:
You don't know that's not polite to ask a lady how old she is? :devil:

that certainly implies you are OLD...:smile:
but remember old is gold..:biggrin:
 
  • #33
I happened to read an article which showed many traditions but apparently none of United States...may be the article was written by some American trying to portray US free of most bondages...

by the way...the only tradition we always followed in school inherited
was exchange gifts on the eve of Christmas...but i don't know the story behind it..
 
  • #34
heman said:
its weird!
By the way Hockey happens to be India's national sport...
Do you know what's the story behind it??

That would be Field Hockey in India I believe. We have that in Canada as well, but Ice Hockey is the main version. If there's no ice available, we also have Inline Hockey, Floor Hockey, Street Hockey, and even Underwater Hockey for when the ice melts during the 1 month of summer we have (kidding, though underwater hockey is real). Floorball is trying to make an appearance as well.

Hockey Night In Canada, where we watch a loud guy in an even louder suit rant and rave, is another Canadian tradition.

What I'm a little embarassed to say is I just found out today that Ice Hockey is officially our national sport, one of them at least. It used to be lacrosse alone, and I always thought how odd that was while growing up. It received official status in '94, so I'm only 12 years behind the news.

We have other traditions as well, like maple syrup consuming and shovelling snow.
 
  • #35
JasonRox said:
It gets annoying too.

I always hear kids at work whining about working on their birthday when it's only a 4-5 hour shift that ends no later than 6.


Yeah, I can't stand it. Makes me glad I don't have to work directly with those kinds of people anymore. Though they do seem to be the ones handling all the paperwork around here.
 
  • #36
heman said:
that certainly implies you are OLD...:smile:
but remember old is gold..:biggrin:

Old is also mold incidently. :-p
 
  • #37
The city of Brussels has a tradition going back to 1213. During that time, there was an intense rivalry between the city of Brussels and the city of Leuven, who both claimed to be the most important city in the Duchy.

Things escalated over a dispute concerning the beer tax, and Leuven attacked Brussels. The first ones to respond to the attack were the crossbowmen of St-Laurentius. The attack was repelled, and Duke Jan III of Brabant awarded the status of guild to the crossbowmen. As a sign of this, they were allowed to plant a "Meiboom" or May-tree. The tree is felled on August 9 in a forest near Brussels, and must be planted besides the City Hall before 17h or the privilige will be lost and awarded to the people of Leuven.

The tradition is still held today, and is the cause of (good-humoured) bickering between Leuven and Brussels
 
  • #38
heman said:
that certainly implies you are OLD...:smile:
Note that Old ladies are more respectable, dear kiddie!:devil:
 
  • #39
Lisa! said:
Note that Old ladies are more respectable, dear kiddie!:devil:

But there is something else that ladies want more than respect,,Dear Oldie!:smile:
 
  • #40
heman said:
But there is something else that ladies want more than respect,,Dear Oldie!:smile:
Not old ladies!:-p
 
  • #41
...Old ladies yearn for more compared to young ladies!:!)
 
  • #42
heman said:
...Old ladies yearn for more compared to young ladies!:!)
hmmm... please confess! It seems to me that you've not told the truth about your age and gender to us since you claimyou know old ladies better than us? Or you know them better due to lack of young ladies around you, eh?:rolleyes: :bugeye:
 
  • #43
Lisa..is your sirname 'Ray'...if so i found your pic...:biggrin:
the reason you haven't posted your pic is may be you are one of the sexiest woman..:!)


does the person who knows oldies should satisy the criteria's you mentioned..:-p
 

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  • #44
heman said:
Lisa..is your sirname 'Ray'...if so i found your pic...:biggrin:
the reason you haven't posted your pic is may be you are one of the sexiest woman..:!)
Why don't I post a pic? Simpler than what you think! Right now I don't have a digital camera it's been for so long that I'm going to buy 1 but haven't decided what to buy [/color][/size].:rolleyes: :blushing: and you know I can't scan my photos since I don't have a scanner and I'm too lazy to do that somewhere else!:smile: :smile:

does the person who knows oldies should satisy the criteria's you mentioned..:-p
Perhaps you're an elderly house worker?:-p
 

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