In the United States when you think “birthday party” you probably think birthday cake and singing. But different countries all have their own traditions for celebrating birthdays! Thanks to Noemi Zaccaria from InterNations we have been able to put together this article about some birthday traditions around the world.
Vietnam
An old Vietnamese tradition is that you actually turn a year older on Vietnamese New Year. Younger people don’t follow this tradition as much, but older generations in Vietnam still celebrate their birthday on New Year.
India
In India, children usually touch their elders’ feet as a sign of respect. On their birthdays, children touch their parents feet as a way to thank them for life and care. Also, it is bad luck to wrap a birthday gift with black or white paper in India.
China
In China, eating a plate of long noodles on your birthday is supposed to help bring long life. Supposedly, you have to slurp the noodles whole without breaking or biting them!
Russia
It is very important to write a long, thoughtful birthday card in Russia. If you go against tradition and write a simple “Happy Birthday” that would not only be considered unthoughtful but it would cause disappointment. Also, it is tradition for kids at school to get little birthday gifts from their peers and teacher, like pencils and books.
Mexico
You might know about the birthday tradition in Mexico to use a piñata on your birthday - but did you know about “the cake in the face”? On your birthday you are supposed to take a bite of the cake without using your hands while everyone shouts “Mordida!” which means “Bite!”. Afterwards, your face gets pushed into the cake!
Canada
In Canada it is tradition to sneakily grease the birthday person’s nose with butter. The buttered nose makes you “too slippery” for bad luck. Apparently the amount of butter increases as you get older and this is more common on the Atlantic coast.
Australia
In Australia it is tradition to make “fairy bread” as opposed to a birthday cake. Fairy bread is made by buttering white bread and then topping it with rainbow sprinkles. Fairy bread can also be seen at birthday parties in New Zealand.
Germany
In Germany it is considered rude and bad luck to wish someone Alles Gute zum Geburtstag (Happy Birthday) before their actual birthday. This is a very strict rule so following this, birthdays can’t be celebrated early. Additionally, the birthday person is supposed to bring the cake or buy the celebratory drinks in Germany.
Click this link if you’re interested in checking out the original article from InterNations.org
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