Top 5 Strange Taboos (2)

Taboos are what are considered forbidden and even sometimes illegal. But what is interesting is that each nation has its own taboos and its own way of recognizing something as taboo among its people. What is a taboo in one country may be considered as quite natural among other nations. Thus knowing them maybe a matter of interest to some, and a matter of importance to those who want to visit those places. 

5. Showing affection in public in Ghana and Sudan (Africa)

You can easily find lots of couples in Europe displaying affection in public. It is usual and nobody even cares. But unbelievably, this is forbidden in Ghana and Sudan even for husband and wife. Even if they hug, they should be very cautious :O Besides, it is stranger that for teenagers under 16, it is illegal to do this in public.It means they must hug the air instead of each other. For this reason, a protest by teenagers on this issue was held all over the country that ended with kiss-a-thons (people kissing each other in mass) in public places. I wish I was there 

4. Showing peace sign with your palm facing you in New Zealand

Showing peace sign with two fingers or so-called V sign in lots of cultures means peace on you. This gesture is very popular and international. However, in some countries like New Zealand, Australia and UK, if you do the same thing while your palm is facing you, it has an offensive meaning. In their culture, it means “go screw yourself” and if you are lucky, someone should inform you before travelling there to avoid trouble 

3. Eating with left hand in Morocco or some Muslim countries

To use both hands while eating is very regular and usual because it has no harm for the person. But in Morocco and some Arab countries that practice Islam, it is offensive to use left hand. The reason pertains to Islam rules. In old days in Arab deserts, people used their left hand toclean the body. Moreover, there was not enough water so they used sand to clean their left hand and they used their right hand to eat. Long story short, still they believe that eating with left hand is sinful and against Islam rules. Therefore, while travelling to Muslim countries and even India! do not use your left hand to eat, even if you are left-handed 

2. Saying “Rooting a team” in Australia means something else

We all know that rooting for a team means applauding and encouraging a team in a contest. However, in Aussie language, the meaning is completely negative and it is extremely funny to say “I root for the red color team in this match”. If you say so, do not expect the audience to confirm you, on the contrary, they stare at you and may burst into laughter if you do not change the topic In the case above, you have claimed that you would be having sex for the team and prostituting yourself for the victory of the mentioned team And I think it is not worth to do so 

1. Passing food with chopsticks in Japan

It is clear that chopstick is one of most important culture factor of Japan. I myself know Japan with chopsticks and the first thing that reminds me of this country is these types of spoons and forks that I have never learned how to use it; although I tried hard. But the quirky taboo of using these sticks is that you should never pass food with chopsticks. It means when the waiter brings you a dish, you must wait for him/her to put the food in your plate and you should avoid shifting it with your chopsticks. The reason behind this habit is somehow logical. The only situation you see a person passing something with chopsticks is when a person dies. In a custom in Japan, when the body is burnt in funeral rites, they pass the unburned bone fragments of the body from one relative to another relative with the same chopsticks that they eat food:o I mean the same type not the ones which they had with their lunch already
If you do this in a restaurant, the reaction would be like this: the people are scared and scold you. Maybe they think that you are eating a fragmented bone of a dead body!!

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Top 5 Strange Taboos (1)