6 Intriguing Birthday Traditions From Around the World
Birthdays are special occasions, no matter what your culture and nationality dictate. Here are some birthday traditions from around the world that will surprise you.
In almost every culture, a person's birthday is a major celebration. Not all civilizations celebrate the holiday with a cake, in fact, several countries have exquisite festivities that are far different from the Western cake-eating & candle-blowing customs. Someone wishing to make friendships while studying a foreign language should investigate local customs around birthday celebrations.
Thailand, Social Service
If you take a look at more typical Thai birthday parties, you'll see that there's no cake, no balloons, and no party games. Instead, it entails doing good deeds, such as volunteering at a temple or rescuing birds, fish, or other animals, and honoring one's parents by treating them to a lovely lunch or contacting them.
Australian, fairy bread
This custom originated with harried parents trying to re-create the success of the cake-eating custom with minimal work. White bread, butter, and colorful sprinkles are all you need to make this adorable treat for children's celebrations.
Canada, greasing the nose
It seems that Canadians are unusually generous with their good wishes. Those celebrating a birthday in the Great White North typically surprise the celebrant by rubbing butter on their nose. So many questions arise from this custom in particular... That nose... why? How many times have attacks including nasal greasiness escalated into full-blown fist fights? Well, the more you think about it, the more you want to witness it!
Italy, present opening
It's not always easy to get birthday presents in Italy. There is a social stigma attached to taking too long to unwrap a present after receiving it. It is not the best time to practice your "surprised but really thankful" expression.
China, longevity noodles
The Chinese traditionally celebrate their birthdays with a meal of extra-long noodles. The best way to consume them is to suck them as far as you can before biting. We may be biased, but we find this quite pleasing. Is there another (maybe classier) way to eat noodles?
Vietnam, no birthdays
The Vietnamese don't celebrate individual birthdays, so the last custom we'll share with you isn't actually a birthday celebration. Instead, everyone rejoices in another year of life together on the occasion of Tet.
There are numerous exciting and unique customs associated with celebrating one's birthday. Do you think you could eat ramen or fairy bread rather than just blowing out candles on your birthday? One of the best ways to immerse oneself in another culture is to celebrate one's birthday there and to do it in the local customs and traditions.
