Strange customs for singles around the world

If you are an adult who has yet to marry, your parents might “sell” you at a “marriage market” in hopes of finding a partner for you.

1. Denmark: Being Pelted with Cinnamon

If you turn 25 and are still unmarried, you will be pelted with cinnamon in Denmark. Your friends will be the ones to carry out this quirky tradition. If you reach 30 without a partner, cinnamon will be replaced by pepper. Some even face a gigantic “pepper grinder” made from an oil drum placed in front of their homes, covered in pepper while being reminded about their single status.

2. South Korea: Eating Black Bean Noodles on Black Day

Black Day (April 14) is celebrated as a day for singles to gather and lament their love lives. These individuals are those who did not receive gifts on Red Day (February 14, when women give chocolate to men) or White Day (March 14, when men reciprocate with white chocolate or candy). Singles come together to eat black-colored foods, particularly the dish jajangmyeon, which is black bean noodles.

Singles in South Korea eat jajangmyeon on Black Day.

3. Armenia: Eating Savory Bread on St. Sarkis Day

In Armenia, on St. Sarkis Day, singles eat a piece of savory bread. This tradition is believed to help them dream prophetic dreams of their future partner. If they go to sleep feeling thirsty, their soulmate is said to appear in their dreams, bringing them what they need. Notably, the savory bread must be baked by grandmothers or married women who live happily.

St. Sarkis is one of the most revered saints in the Armenian church, and St. Sarkis Day is celebrated around January or February each year.

4. China: “Marriage Market” in Shanghai

At People’s Park in Shanghai, parents of single individuals gather every Saturday and Sunday in hopes of finding a boyfriend or girlfriend for their children. They write their children’s information on pieces of paper and hang them up. Single women face stigma to the extent that they are referred to as “shengnu – leftover women,” and finding a suitable partner is viewed as a validation of their worth.

Singles’ Day in China, known as Guang Gun Jie, is celebrated on November 11 because the date features four ‘1’s, symbolizing solitary sticks. In 2009, Alibaba turned this day into an online shopping festival with the advertising slogan, “Even if we don’t have a lover, at least we can shop like crazy.”

5. France: Wearing Green and Yellow Hats on St. Catherine’s Day

On November 25, unmarried women under 25 celebrate St. Catherine’s Day in grand fashion. They wear eye-catching hats combining two colors that clash, green and yellow.

St. Catherine petitioned Emperor Maximinus II to stop the persecution of Christian believers and ultimately was executed, dying as a martyr and virgin.

6. Austria: Zwangspoltern Tradition

In Austria, those who are 30 years old and unmarried must prepare a bizarre, embarrassing outfit to wear on Zwangspoltern Day. They must wear this outfit while walking around town and attempt to sell random items such as candy and wine to strangers, later using the money earned to treat friends.

7. Germany: Singles as Schachtelfest – the Old Box

In Germany, women who are 25 and unmarried are referred to as alte Schachtel – the old box. On their birthday, old boxes are piled up at their doorsteps. Upon turning 30 and still single, women must clean their friends’ doorknobs with a toothbrush, while men must sweep the stairs. If they kiss someone of the opposite sex, they will not face this punishment.

8. Malaysia: Chap Goh Mei Love Festival

On the night of the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, young unmarried women write their phone numbers on tangerines and throw them into the nearest river, waiting for a man to call them. In Penang, men hold a competition by rowing boats to collect as many tangerines as possible, and the boat with the most tangerines wins.

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