Fun Around the World Trivia Questions

Greetings and manners

• In which country is bowing the standard greeting? Japan. The deeper the bow, the more respect shown.
• Where do people traditionally greet by pressing noses and foreheads, called the hongi? New Zealand, among the Maori.
• In Thailand, what is the palms-together greeting called? The wai.
• In which country is tipping often seen as unnecessary, even rude? Japan.
• Where is it polite to slurp noodles to show you enjoy them? Japan.

Holidays and festivals

• Which Indian festival is famous for throwing colored powder? Holi, which welcomes spring.
• In which Spanish town do people throw tomatoes at La Tomatina? Bunol, near Valencia.
• Where is the Lantern Festival a highlight of the Lunar New Year? China, and Chinese communities worldwide.
• Which city hosts the world's best-known carnival? Rio de Janeiro.
• In Mexico, what are the colorful sugar skulls made for? Day of the Dead, on November 1 and 2.
• Where does Santa Lucia Day bring candle-crowned processions each December 13? Sweden.

Food customs

• In Ethiopia, what flatbread doubles as a plate and spoon? Injera.
• In which country do people eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve? Spain, one grape per chime.
• Where is KFC a popular Christmas dinner? Japan, thanks to a 1970s marketing campaign.
• Which country drinks the most tea per person? Turkey.

Quirky traditions

• In which country is cheese rolled down Cooper's Hill in a famous race? England.
• Where do people jump over babies in the El Colacho festival? Castrillo de Murcia, Spain.
• In Denmark, what do friends throw at you if you are still single at 25? Cinnamon.
• Which country celebrates the night of the radishes, carving them into scenes? Mexico, in Oaxaca each December 23.
• In Scotland, who is the 'first-foot' at New Year? The first visitor to cross your threshold, ideally tall and dark-haired.

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