DYK #11: Cultural Connect - Differing Customs

Following are some facts relating to the differing traditions in various countries - the links provide verification:

1. In Tibet, sticking out the tongue means expressing your modesty and respect for others.
2. The Yanomami tribesman don't believe in wastage of resources, and as such in case of death of an individual, their body is burned and the ashes & bone fragments are grinded into powder. Then the family members eat the remains.
3. Don’t be too offended if an old-timer in Greece spits at your baby, three times. This is a traditional way to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.
4. In India, there was (and maybe still is in rural areas) a custom known as 'Sati", where a dead man’s widow would throw herself on her husband’s funeral pyre in order to commit suicide
5. 'Sky Burial' is a tradition in Tibet where a human corpse is cut into small pieces and placed on a mountaintop, exposing it to the elements and animals – especially to birds of prey. The bones are later  (or with the flesh) crushed to pulp and mixed with a mixture known as 'tsampa' and fed to cattle or birds.
6. 'Polterabend' is a German pre-wedding tradition where friends and family come together for an informal party and break dishes, flowerpots, tiles, toilets, and more. To symbolize working together through future difficulties, the bride and groom must clean everything up.
7. To prepare for their marriage, Scottish brides-to-be (even grooms may be) are taken by surprise by her friends who cover her with eggs, spoiled milk, feathers, and more. The blackened bride is then paraded around town.
8. The Tidong group from northern Borneo have a wedding custom which bans both the bride and groom from using the bathroom for the 3 days and 3 nights following the wedding.
9. In New Zealand, there exists a traditional Maori welcoming custom know as the 'hongi'. It is a centuries-old tradition which involves the rubbing or touching of noses when two people meet.
10. The 'thumbs up' gesture is considered to be rude in Greece and parts of Italy.

Below is a video showing the (#7) Scottish custom of 'Blackening of the bride and groom'. The action begins at 34th second.