Happy New....Wait, what are you doing?

So in my previous post I mentioned my bafflement at the custom of staying up until midnight to usher in the new year. I promise the new year will be there in the morning! Get some sleep! But that got me thinking, what other weird and unusual customs exist around the world to bring on the new year?

Philippines

There is a special belief in the Philippines that wearing something with round patterns or eating round fruits on New Year's Day will bring good luck for the entire year. People are seen wearing dresses designed with circular patterns or polka dots. Observing this weird New Year tradition is expected to attract good financial fortune, or make you look like you are part of an obscure circle worshiping cult.

Germany and Austria

The Germans and Austrians have a strange way of predicting things that are in store for them in the New Year. It is a process known as lead pouring in which molten lead is poured into a bowl containing water. Shapes formed by the molten lead in the water are then interpreted in order to predict events that are likely to take place in the next year. For example, if the molten lead takes the shape of an anchor, then the person who poured it is believed to require help in the New Year. A ball shape signifies good fortune for the person throughout the year while a cross shape would imply death. Probably from lead poisoning.

Mexico

Mexicans have the strange New Year tradition of securing happiness and luck by wearing colorful underwear on New Year's Eve. People looking for luck are seen wearing yellow underwear while those seeking love wear red or pink underwear. Who on earth checks up on the color of your underwear at midnight, I wonder? But then, with enough tequila, who cares!

Equador 

The good people of Ecuador observe a weird tradition to bid farewell to the year.  Burning portraits or photos is usually considered unpleasant in most countries but in Equador this is a source of great merriment on New Year's Eve. People gather outside their homes with photos that remind them of painful experiences during the previous year. These pictures are then burned with the belief that it will help them to get rid of the past and have a blank slate for the coming year. Seeing as this is also a time during which people imbibe in large amounts of alcohol, they might just end up burning down their house as well.

America

From the land of hamburgers and heartburn comes this strange tradition. At midnight, people kiss loved ones or even complete strangers in order to bring hope, love and joy in the coming year and to serve as a symbol of leaving the bad experiences of the past year behind. In the case of lots of alcohol and kissing a stranger, probably creating some new memories to regret in the new year.

Denmark

People in Denmark throw old, used dinner plates at their friends' doors on New Year’s Eve as a symbol of their integrity and loyalty towards their dear ones. While this could only be the result of being extremely drunk, if you hear the sound of smashing crockery outside your door at midnight, fear not, I will just be letting you know that I appreciate you!