8 Strange Drinking Traditions Around The World

Mixing Honey Wine With Cow’s Blood (Tanzania)

In Tanzania, Maasai warriors consume honey mead, one of the oldest alcoholic drinks. They mix it with living cow's blood, reflecting their warrior culture.

Blood is extracted from a cow's neck using a blunted arrow and mixed with honey mead for ceremonies. The cow eventually recovers! This practice is rare and reserved mostly for special occasions.

Image Credits: PSReliance/Pinterest

Image Credits: Martell/Pinterest

No Bottoms Up! (Thailand)

In Thailand, it's impolite to empty your drink, even if you get drunk easily. Thai culture frowns upon finishing beverages entirely, not just chugging.

Maintain a half-filled glass until the oldest person at the party finishes their drink, a sign of respect. Identify the eldest person and wait for them to finish their drink.

Drinking Wine On The Rocks (Japan)

In Japan, mixing red and white wine with ice, soda, water, or other ingredients is a common practice. This is because experimenting with flavours is encouraged. Wine on the rocks is as popular as whiskey cocktails in local bars.

Image Credits: BrooklynSupper/Pinterest

Image Credits: Pinterest

No Empty Glasses On The Table (Russia)

Russians are known for their love for alcohol, ranking high in consumption. An interesting tradition is not leaving empty glasses on the table, as it's considered rude. Instead, they accumulate them under the table, making cleanup easier for the host.

Kidnapping The Bride-To-Be & Taking Her Bar Hopping (Germany)

In Germany, a unique wedding tradition involves the groom's best man kidnapping the bride-to-be. They then go for a bar-hopping adventure as part of pre-wedding festivities.

Bar hopping with the bride is a fun tradition that eases pre-wedding stress. The groom looks for her until he pays the bills; a dual wedding and bachelorette experience.

Image Credits: laurenashleystudios/Pinterest

Drinking From The Bride’s Shoe (Ukraine)

Despite the initial cringe factor, Ukrainian weddings are lively and involve games and alcohol. A quirky tradition involves stealing the bride's shoes, with the finder making demands. This includes drinking from a glass strapped to the shoe – less smelly and gross than it seems.

Image Credits: stylemepretty/Pinterest

Never Turn Down A Drink (South Korea)

In South Korea, refusing a drink at a party is a sign of disrespect. Accepting drinks is obligatory, regardless of your capacity, making it a unique drinking tradition.

In South Korean parties, choose a drink substitute when overwhelmed, and embrace karaoke without refusal. Prepare your drinking and singing abilities beforehand.

Image Credits: cocktails.about.com/Pinterest

Must Maintain Eye Contact During Toast (Sweden)

In Sweden, maintaining eye contact during drinking is a tradition rooted in ancient times. It ensured trust and prevented betrayal in the face of potential attacks. Today, it symbolizes respect, even though the need for it has evolved with the times.

Image Credits: mbahwerth/Pinterest