Photo Credit (Pixabay)
Our inclination to create traditions and norms around everything, from sex habits to beauty rituals, is one characteristic that distinguishes humans from other animals. Humans actually enjoy doing this so much that from the beginning of civilization, thousands of distinct cultures have been added to the earth. The code of etiquette is undoubtedly a significant component of almost any society. These are some incredible international customs.
Tours of Nicaragua
Few can assert that this phenomenon applies to mouth contortions, even if hand motions are frequently susceptible to customary variance among cultures. Unlike other people throughout the world, Nicaraguans typically point with their lips rather than their thumb or index finger. Are you curious about the precise way someone points with their lips? The first step is puckering up. When a Nica puts on their duck face, they can express what they want to draw attention to by moving their lips forward or side-to-side. In discussion, the lip point is usually employed to signal something happening close by.
Tours of France
There are customs for greeting people in almost every culture. Kissing someone on the cheek as a greeting is a widespread practice in Latin American and Romance cultures, and it can be used to greet both new acquaintances and intimate friends. But with so many subtleties in their kissing traditions, the French appear to take this to a whole new level. For starters, males and women are subject to different rules. Second, the quantity of kisses needed to finish the greeting varies depending on the location. Furthermore, whether or not they know the guests, French people are expected to greet everyone when they arrive at a party or gathering. This is just a quick summary of how people in France traditionally kiss.
Tours of Greece
The movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding from 2002 helped to promote this custom. In Greek civilizations, spitting is considered a lucky charm that can help ward off the devil. These days, it’s not customary for guests to snoop on the wedded bride. Rather, it has become a more symbolic performance in which guests primarily yell “ftou ftou ftou.” Greeks often do this during other significant events, such as baptisms, to recognize the baby’s beauty and health. During casual discussion, spitting can even be done as a superstitious way to fend off evil.
In Russia, September 12 is the Day of Conception.
Usually, different cultures have different perspectives on marriage, sex, and reproduction. However, in terms of institutionalized acceptance, Russia might be the best at this. This is due to the country’s dropping birth rates, the unequal distribution of women and men, and the startlingly short life expectancy of Russian men, all of which are major social concerns. In order to allow couples time off from work to have sex in the hopes that it may result in conception, the government has instituted a public holiday. In addition, parents can receive rewards for preserving the Russian lineage if their children are born precisely nine months later.
In the US, Groundhog Day
Many nations celebrate their unique history with quite odd holidays. Despite being a very young country, the United States has been long enough to create the peculiar celebration known as Groundhog Day. The country has been anxiously waiting since February 2, 1887, to see if Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, saw his shadow. There will be six more weeks of winter if he does. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle of devoted men, who traditionally care for the groundhog during the annual Groundhog Day ritual while wearing top hats and black suits, is maybe even stranger.
The elaborate tipping culture in the US is another peculiar tradition. Tipping is rather required at most US restaurants, in contrast to many other nations where people either don’t tip at all or just tip a little when the food was especially good. In actuality, it is anticipated that customers will tip between 10% and 20% of the whole amount. Due to the low legal salaries for waiters, wait workers make their livelihood off of this gratuity. Additionally, there are guidelines regarding tipping delivery drivers, bartenders, and other service providers. There is no denying that the tipping culture in the US encourages waiters and waitresses to do better service, despite some criticizing this practice as unreasonable.
Tours of Denmark
In many nations, cemeteries are the subject of eerie folklore, but in Denmark, which is known for its secularism, this is not the case. The Danes find it increasingly convenient to turn their cemeteries into places for socializing, which is a fairly practical use of space we may add. Many individuals may choose to spend their time in parks. When the weather finally warms up, these cemeteries are well-kept and brimming with residents. A prime example is Assistens Kirkegård in Copenhagen, the nation’s capital. Hans Christian Andersen is among the many well-known Danes buried here, so you’ll be hanging out with some amazing people.
Tours of Malaysia
Pointing with the index finger is considered impolite and harsh in many cultures. Even while people from most cultures would generally agree that pointing fingers—both physically and figuratively—isn’t exactly the nicest thing in the world, this gesture may be extremely disrespectful in places like Malaysia and Indonesia. As a more courteous alternative, it is more common to use the thumb to indicate objects. Pointing is only used for inanimate objects, not humans, in many African nations.
Tours of Japan
Table manners are governed by regulations in the majority of societies worldwide. It is considered impolite in western cultures to eat loudly. However, slurping sounds during eating have a very different meaning in Japan. This may be related to the fact that noodles are traditionally eaten in western nations by swirling them on a spoon before biting into them. The Japanese, on the other hand, slurp their noodles without first twisting them, which is inherently noisier than the former. In Japan, making slurping noises while eating noodles is a sign that you’re having a great time. According to some studies, slurping really improves the flavor of the noodles by allowing air to enter the tongue.
Tours of Nigeria
The Yoruba people, an ethnic group that is mostly found in Nigeria, take their greeting customs very seriously. When it comes to welcoming elders, this is particularly true. Yoruba youths are supposed to bow down in greeting when an adult comes near. To be more precise, men usually lie prostrate and women kneel while greeting. These actions show reverence and regard for the community’s elders. It’s interesting to note that this tradition sets the Yoruba people apart from other Nigerian ethnic groups, such as the Bini and Kalabari.
It is regarded as extremely impolite and offensive in several nations to eat or perform other tasks with the left hand. Since the left hand is typically used for personal hygiene after using the restroom, it is regarded as filthy in these cultures. This law is applicable in a number of locations worldwide, including areas of Africa, Sri Lanka, India, and a large portion of the Middle East. In any of these regions of the world, it is safe to greet people, handle goods, exchange money, and, of course, eat with your right hand.