BOXES OF CHOCOLATE
Sure, giving, receiving and indulging in heart-shaped boxes of chocolate for Valentine’s Day seems perfectly normal to any of us who’ve grown up in the United States. However, once you travel abroad and see how other countries view sweets (they’re rare and special), you’ll see it’s actually pretty bizarre to fill a large box with an obscene amount of sugary chocolate to binge on, all in the name of true love.
LUCK OF THE IRISH
It doesn’t matter in the US if you’re Irish when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday, which is celebrated every March 17 and was brought over by Irish immigrants, is responsible for the American tradition of wearing green for good luck. While it’s not too weird to wear the color, the tradition of pinching people who aren’t wearing green is.
WEARING THE FLAG
Speaking of wearing things, the US has an annoyingly weird tradition of wearing flag-inspired clothes during patriotic holidays like the 4th of July, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Based on the US Flag Code, the tradition of wearing this style of clothing is technically a violation, although you can’t be arrested for it. For the record: Some people say flag-inspired clothing is perfectly respectable, as long as it’s not made from an actual flag.
CELEBRATING ON MEMORIAL DAY
Every year on the last Monday in May, our nation observes Memorial Day. The holiday was established in 1971 to honor military members who have died in service to our country. What makes it so strange is that many Americans treat the day like a celebration, saying things like “Happy Memorial Day!” while throwing backyard BBQs loaded with flag-themed foods and decor. Perhaps they’re confusing the day with Veteran’s Day, where we thank military members and veterans for their service.
AN EGG-HIDING, HOUSE-INVADING RABBIT
How does this tradition even make sense? Every Easter, American families celebrate a combination of the coming of spring and the resurrection of Jesus by telling our kids that a life-sized stuffed bunny is going to break into our homes, hide colorful eggs (that we have to make) and leave them baskets full of fake grass, toys and candy. Yeah, sounds legit to us.
