40 Traditions From Different Countries That May Seem Super Strange To Americans

Just how much do you know about the world outside the United States? Trek across the globe with us from the comfort of your armchair, and check out the fascinating traditions other cultures embrace. Sure, they may seem strange to us, but it would be a boring planet if we were all the same!

40. Germany’s Polterabend

You’ve got to have teamwork if you’re going to be married, so in Germany they give you some early practice. The tradition of Polterabend involves family and friends to the bride and groom breaking all the newlywed’s dishes. Then the married couple have the honor of cleaning up after them! Let’s hope they had more crockery among the wedding gifts.

39. Ireland’s food farce

Forget fast food, Ireland has farce food. TikTok’s @saviourofhaha recounted how Irish families have a “linguistic tradition” of refusing food twice before finally relenting to an insistent host. Even if you’re secretly hungry, it’s only polite to play along. “It’s not the most time efficient,” the TikToker said, “but it is what it is.”

38. Greece’s teeth tossing

The best way to dispose of your child’s shed baby teeth depends on your culture. In Greece, it’s customary to throw them on top of the roof and wish for stronger teeth to grow in their place. What would you prefer: putting them under your pillow so a fairy can buy them from you? I bet the roof thing doesn’t sound so strange in hindsight.

37. Russia’s day of conception

September 12 is an important day on the Russian calendar: it’s the day of conception. That’s exactly what it sounds like: a national holiday reserved for giving couples some alone time. Men have a low life-expectancy in Russia, and the gender ratio is uneven, so repopulation is a celebrated event. What’s more, successful pregnancies are rewarded with prizes. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!