101 Weird Traditions Around the World

Ever wondered why grown men in Spain dress as devils and leap over newborn babies? Or why Icelanders proudly nibble cubes of shark meat that smell like bleach-soaked socks? Welcome to 101 Weird Traditions Around the World — your passport to humanity's quirkiest, strangest, and most "you can't make this up" customs. Humans are a fascinating species. We invent smartphones, spaceships, and self-driving cars… and then we also invent cheese filled with live maggots. From belly button festivals in Japan to wife-carrying competitions in Finland, this book proves one thing: "normal" is just a setting on your washing machine. Inside you'll discover: Weird Food Rituals ?? — From fertilized duck eggs in the Philippines (balut) to Italy's infamous casu marzu (a.k.a. maggot cheese), and Sweden's surströmming that can clear a room faster than a fire alarm. Bon appétit… or not. Strange Festivals & Celebrations ?? — Tomatoes turned into weapons at La Tomatina, flaming tar barrels in England, babies jumped over by costumed devils, and mud festivals that look like spa day meets rugby practice. Unusual Competitions ?? — Think toe wrestling, worm charming, and pumpkin boat races. Add in extreme ironing (yes, ironing shirts while skydiving), and you'll question everything you know about the definition of "sport." Each entry comes with a fun description, a splash of history, and a cheeky Weirdness Rating ??? to help you measure just how bizarre humanity can get. This book is perfect for: Travelers who want stories weirder than postcards. Trivia lovers who want to dominate quiz night. Curious readers who enjoy laughing, cringing, and saying, "Wait, they really do that?!" Anyone who thinks humans are delightfully peculiar (spoiler: they are). Why read 101 Weird Traditions Around the World? Because in a planet full of streaming shows and scrolling feeds, sometimes the greatest entertainment comes from real people doing real things that make zero sense — and loving every minute of it. So buckle up. You're about to laugh, gag, wince, and maybe even get inspired to start a weird tradition of your own. After all, today's "weird" could be tomorrow's world heritage.