Different countries, different customs: These are the 10 strangest New Year's Eve customs in the world

In Kölsch they say “Every Jeck sing Pappnas”, which means: everyone as they want. Because of course neither all people nor all countries do the same thing - and that's generally okay, at least in the cultural area (it would also be deadly boring). Of course, this also applies to New Year's Eve customs. While in this country we are talking for the thousandth timeDinner For Onethunders in, has the lead casting set ready and has an armada of firecrackers and rockets within reach, people in other countries approach the turn of the year very differently.

And while we're at it: the thing about the firecrackers and the rockets is really nonsense - and damn bad for the environment. So if at all possible, try to keep the noise to a minimum. Thanks!

Here it is traditional to wear red underwear - and please keep it unused! This, according to popular belief, is supposed to bring good luck. What at first sounds like a greasy male fantasy (which is certainly true) does not exempt the men of creation: Italian men are also required to wear red slippers on New Year's Eve. Oh, and the panties are then thrown away after being worn once. I don't know whether people are jumping with joy at the start of the new year... that's not known.

I have no idea what fascinates people so much about underwear, but in Colombia they don't wear red underneath on New Year's Eve, they wear yellow. Would confirm the one-puller theory from point 1 again...

Things are traditionally a bit tougher in Bulgaria. “So why not make a virtue out of necessity?” is what the people there probably thought. So they grab a branch from the corneil cherry tree, decorate it colorfully and then use it as a beating stick - called surwatschke in Bulgarian. The Bulgarians use this to thunder on each other's backs - this is supposed to bring not only bruises but also good luck. Nowadays, on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, children in particular go from house to house with the beating and shake off the frustration of the past year.

While in this country people try to read the future of the new year in clumps of lead, in the Czech Republic they keep it a little more natural: they read from the core of apples. If you cut the apple in half and the seeds form a cross, there is a threat of disaster. If the kernels look more like a star, things are looking rosy for next year. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, at least financially, lentil soup is served - the lentils are supposed to symbolize coins and make the cash registers ring in the new year.

The Spanish also have an underwear thing going on. Women in particular wear red lingerie there so that the New Year brings a lot of passion. Probably thought up by a few white old men who also like to give away red underwear on New Year's Eve, of course. This should not only bring passion, but also great love.

But the most famous Spanish New Year's Eve custom is different: Instead of hugging each other at midnight and wishing each other luck, you stuff a bunch of grapes into your mouth with every chime of the bell - 12 in total. If you miscount or aren't finished by the 12th chime, the New Year will apparently bring you bad luck. The orientation is based on the town hall clock in Madrid, the Puerta del Sol. Because there have been several suffocation deaths due to the custom, the Puerta del Sol bells on New Year's Eve each last three seconds. Safety first.

In Denmark there is a lot to do on New Year's Eve. On the one hand, you have to serve at least a 3-course meal with your meal, one of which must include cod. The Danish cake Kransekage is also part of every New Year's Eve meal. In addition to the usual table fireworks and decorated apartments, it's also important to make a few New Year's Eve jokes at the neighbors' expense - this traditionally includes, for example, hoisting Christmas trees on the flagpole and, no joke, blowing up mailboxes. Shortly before midnight, every Dane climbs onto a chair, which becomes increasingly difficult as the alcohol level increases, and then symbolically jumps into the New Year. This is supposed to bring luck.

In Argentina, it is traditional to tear up all documents that are no longer needed into small shreds and throw them out the window. Despite summer temperatures, this creates a white carpet on the streets that looks like snow. This should free you from old burdens and make room for something new.

In Ecuador things are a little more martial at the turn of the year. In order to get rid of the bad things of the past, small dolls are made out of old clothes and straw, so-called monigotes - often images of politicians, ex-partners or other unloved people. At midnight, these dolls are burned or destroyed on the streets of Ecuador to make room for the good in the new year.

In Brazil, people traditionally wear white on New Year's Eve to start the new year clean. Because it is still pleasantly warm in Brazil at the end of December, people go to the sea if possible so they can jump over waves on New Year's Eve. With every wave you skip, you can make a wish.

In Greece, people (probably men) have thought about how they like to spend their time. The answer: gambling. This was then quickly turned into a New Year's Eve tradition, so that people gamble to the fullest on New Year's Eve. Apparently the focus here isn't on the money (that's clear), but on the luck that comes with winning. Coins are also hidden in baked goods and whoever finds a coin while eating it will be favored by fortune next year - or by the dentist.