Discover the World: Top 7 Astonishing Cultural Fun Facts You Won't Believe!
1. Siesta-time Hootenannies
Feeling like a melting snowman in the scorching summer heat? Well, you might just be in the perfect climate for a siesta-time hootenanny: The siesta tradition, derived from Islamic Law and the Koran, involves taking a breather during the hottest part of the day, and is still practiced in Spain, Italy, Greece, Nigeria, and The Philippines. Known as "the sixth hour" in Latin, siesta time is now used by some cultures to kick back and visit family and friends during the workday; however, Spaniards are currently debating whether to keep this little slice of history or toss it out like month-old paella.
Source => sleepoutfitters.com
2. Yam-tastic Romance
Forget courting with chocolates and roses, these islanders have a yam-tastic approach to winning hearts and showing off wealth: In the Trobriand Islands of Papua New Guinea, yams are so highly valued that they're used as a form of currency, and exchanging them between families is a ritualized process that displays power and prestige, with women being considered richer and more powerful the more yams they receive.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
Did you know Australia's rail system is better equipped for scorching heat compared to the UK? Discover how they keep their railways stress-free in temperatures up to 40C with advanced tech!
=> Fun Facts about Australian-Culture
3. Drunken Iceberg Drinks
Greenland: the land where even the ice has a drinking problem, and the locals gleefully follow suit. Bottoms up to the Ice Cap, and cheers to ancient H2O: Spirits and beer in Greenland boast a pristine and unique ingredient – water sourced directly from the Arctic ice cap, frozen for over 100,000 years and renowned for its unparalleled purity. With signs of the ice melting, though, perhaps it's time the icebergs went cold turkey and gave that Isfjord Premium Arctic Vodka and Gin, Grønland Ice Cap Beer, and Nanoq Beer a rest. In the meantime, housewives still happily make their homemade schnapps called immiak using the same glacial potion.
Source => atasteofgreenland.com
4. Fashionably Late Dining
The early bird catches the worm, but not in Mexico: showing up early to a meal at someone's home is considered impolite, with guests traditionally arriving 30 minutes after the given time, and toasts reserved solely for the hombres.
Source => expatify.com
5. Navajo Family Tree Dating
Move over, speed dating - the Navajo dating game has levelled up! In the thrilling world of Navajo introductions, it's not about getting your name out there; it's about flaunting your family tree: In Navajo culture, individuals introduce themselves by sharing their affiliations to four distinct clans - their mother's, father's, maternal grandfather's, and paternal grandfather's clans - to establish connections and familial relationships with others. Surprisingly, matching maternal and paternal clans aren't dealbreakers for romance – clan bonding has its own rules in the Navajo dating scene!
Source => azcentral.com
6. Wish-granting Statues
If Aladdin's magic lamp was a European statue, it'd probably be in Prague: Touching and rubbing specific statues on Charles Bridge is said to grant wishes and bring good luck. Tourists often gravitate towards the plaques of St John of Nepomuk and a cross with a five-pointed star, hoping to improve their fortune. Rubbing the plaque featuring a knight and a dog is believed to bring a loyal relationship, while touching the one with St John Nepomuk ensures a return to the beautiful city of Prague.
Source => shepherdtraveller.com
7. Million-dollar Indian Weddings
Feeling like a million bucks when it comes to tying the knot? In India, that's just the tip of the matrimonial iceberg: Indian weddings are known to range from INR 500,000 to INR 100,000,000 ($7,000 to $1.5 million) in cost, hosting anywhere from 250 to 5,000 guests, all without even committing to a week-long feast for the merry masses!
Source => fineartproduction.com
