Your Language Connection:

Can you match the cultural custom to its country?

Countries:

Japan
Greece
The Gambia
Ireland
Greenland
South Korea
Lithuania
Maldives

1. The youngest in the party always pours drinks; when exchanging money, use your right hand – the left signals disrespect.

2. Ancient beliefs survive; people from this country fear jinnis - evil spirits that come from the sea, land and sky.

3. It’s polite to slurp loudly when eating soup or noodles; most kitchens do not have ovens.

4. People from this country drink more tea per capita than any other nation in the world.

5. People from this country wear blue trinkets to ward off the evil eye.

6. It’s a taboo to whistle after dark in this country.

7. When visiting someone from this country, bring an odd number of flowers – even-numbered bouquets are for the dead! Never shake hands across a doorway, as it is believed to bring bad luck.

8. People from this country believe that their children are born with the wisdom, magic and intelligence of their ancestors

Answers: 1. South Korea 2. Maldives 3. Japan 4. Ireland 5. Greece 6. The Gambia 7. Lithuania 8. Greenland

Today, people will be ringing in the New Year all around the world. Here’s some background on its traditions:

The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year’s eve, “Auld Lang Syne” is an old Scottish song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. “Auld Lang Syne” literally translates as “old long since” and means “times gone by”.

Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year’s celebration that involves “first footing”, a tradition in which neighbors visit each other,  bringing gifts and wishes for a Happy New Year. It is considered especially lucky if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your house after the new year is rung in. Hogmanay also consists of an all-night street party.

Oshogatsu, or New Year’s in Japan, is an important holiday of renewal. Special parties, or bonenkai are held near the end of the year to say goodbye to the past year’s problems. At midnight, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times in an effort to expel the 108 forms of human weakness. New Year’s Day is a day of rest from working and children receive otoshidama, or gifts with money inside. People traditionally send each other cards in the mail to arrive on January 1st.

In Spain, the ritual is to eat twelve grapes at midnight to secure the twelve happy months of the upcoming year.

In the Netherlands, the Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the streets and launch fireworks to purge the old and welcome the new.

In Greece, New Year’s Day is also the festival of St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. A traditional St. Basil’s cake, or Vassilopitta, is served. A silver or gold coin is baked inside the cake and whoever finds it is considered to be lucky in the New Year.