10 Strange Dating Rituals From Around The World That’ll Challenge Your Idea Of Romance

Dating is not easy. Approaching the opposite sex is no longer a piece of cake with the ever-changing rules dampening the mood. But what happens when the rules never change? 

The oddity takes root and grows into a giant-ass tree of resentment where the leaves threaten to fall but don’t.

Too deep? To summarise it, let’s just say that we are trying to wrap our heads around the following dating rituals (that existed or still exist) from around the world, and failing. 

1. Sweat-doused handkerchiefs

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It was believed that in Europe and other parts of the world, the men would wear handkerchiefs around their armpits before going out for a dance. They would later use these to wipe off the sweat off their beloved’s face. The women would find it difficult to resist the scent and fall head-over-heels in love.

2. Perspiration-scented apples

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In the 19th century Australia, an old tradition saw women keeping apple slices underneath their armpits and feeding these to the men they fancied after a special dance. If the feeling was mutual, the men would eat the apple and be forever in love.

3. Severed heads

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In Taiwan, during the 19th century, men seduced their ladies with decapitated heads. Anecdotal accounts suggest that men returning from battle often brought their lovers a severed head as a token of their love. And if the women expressed the same emotion, they would gladly accept the gift.

4. Chopstick charms

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A tradition that still stands in southwest China, women express their feelings with different symbols wrapped in handkerchiefs. One pair of chopsticks would mean ‘I love you too’ whereas a single chopstick would translate into ‘no, thank you’. 

5. Spoonful of sugary love

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The Welsh suitors would present wooden love spoons to their beloved they felt affection for. The spoons were delicately carved ornamental gifts that the ladies gladly accepted. The wood smith would carve the spoons with symbols of love, showing the father of his beloved that he can provide for a family. While the symbol of ‘bells’ would mean ‘marriage’, the mark of a ‘wheel’ would mean ‘supporting a loved one’, and so on.

6. Whistles of romance

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The Mexican tribe of Kickapoo regarded whistling as an important tool of courtship. The tribe-folk encouraged whistling to stop others from getting in on their romantic plans. Each couple would create whistles that were unique to them to win some private moments with each other, away from the prying eyes.

7. It’s a bit too toothy

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In Bali, filing one’s teeth is a tradition so bizarre, we can already sense the nails on a chalkboard. Because teeth symbolise greed, lust, and jealousy, it’s important to file them down to become spiritually evolved and marriage-ready. 

8. Dress to impress

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In the Wodaabe tribe of Africa, it is the men who dress up to impress their ladies. They spend days on personal grooming so that they can look their best on the D-day. They compete in a dancing competition called ‘Yaake’ where they are judged by an all-female audience. 

9. Fat farms

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In Africa, the tradition of fattening up women still exists in farms where older ladies help young girls to gain weight and ready them to meet their future husbands. In western Africa, girls are even force-fed litres of milk. 

10. Belted love

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During the Italian Renaissance, suitors would give out belts carrying sexy inscriptions to their women in hopes of winning their love. 

Got any crazy stories of your own? Share them with us!