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Quiz about Cosmopolitan Beliefs Customs and Gestures
Quiz about Cosmopolitan Beliefs Customs and Gestures

Cosmopolitan Beliefs, Customs and Gestures Quiz


This is a group effort from the "Lost Connection." Given the diverse assembly of our membership, a potpourri of questions about superstitions, customs and gestures is offered for your delight.

A multiple-choice quiz by christopherm. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
christopherm
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
317,375
Updated
Aug 10 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
1819
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
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Question 1 of 10
1. In 1970s Australia, a very memorable advertising campaign for the newest model Valiant was "Hey, Charger!", with kids everywhere saying it whenever they saw the car. There was also a hand signal that accompanied the chant- what was it?
Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Success on tests and examinations is a vital part of Korean culture. According to popular notions, which of the following foods should be avoided before taking a test?
Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Those of you who attend a Jewish wedding may be surprised at the sight of the groom stepping on a glass and breaking it at the climax of the religious event. The commemoration of which event is commonly believed to be the source of this custom?
Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In Acadian (Maritime French Canadian) culture, a popular adage decrees that the weather experienced on which day of a month will persist throughout the remainder of the month? (Here's a hint to save you time -- the answer, player, is a rhyme!)
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. An English-speaking newcomer to Spain might be surprised to discover that no fear or phobia is attached to Friday the thirteenth in that country. What other day is regarded as the day of "mala suerte" (bad luck)?
Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In Italy, the traditional "cenone di Capodanno" (New Year's Eve dinner, a Lucullian banquet that can include 10-12 different courses) sets no limits to the cook's imagination. One dish can never be omitted from the menu, though, or the unfortunate guests might soon be penniless. In fact, it is believed that this dish, eaten on New Year's Eve, ensures financial prosperity for the upcoming year. What dish is it? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. A traveler sojourning through the northern sections of Canada is likely to find numerous piles of rocks, some of them roughly formed in the shape of a man, dotting the landscape. These creations can range in size from quite small, to human sized and larger. What is one of these piles of rocks called? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. On only one day of the year in Australia - ANZAC Day - is this normally illegal gambling tradition permitted without fear of prosecution. What is it? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In recent decades, the Maloik has become an extremely popular gesture with fans of heavy metal. By what other name is it better known? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Not surprisingly, many common objects, animals and beliefs are significantly different across the world. For the most part, the much maligned magpie is an object of scorn in the West. What does the magpie portend in Korea? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In 1970s Australia, a very memorable advertising campaign for the newest model Valiant was "Hey, Charger!", with kids everywhere saying it whenever they saw the car. There was also a hand signal that accompanied the chant- what was it?

Answer: A V-sign identical to Churchill's Victory sign

The Charger was a revolution in Aussie cars, and with its swept-up rear spoiler and very sleek lines, it was instantly recognizable even by non-car enthusiasts. Valiant was the Australian counterpart to the American Chrysler company.

This excellent question is from our very own ozzz2002!
2. Success on tests and examinations is a vital part of Korean culture. According to popular notions, which of the following foods should be avoided before taking a test?

Answer: seaweed soup

Testing bears an important influence on future success. In Korea, it is relatively common knowledge that eating seaweed soup is verboten. The simple explanation is that the texture of the seaweed is slippery and therefore, the test answers will "slip" from your mind.

This question was submitted by your humble host of this quiz, Chris.
3. Those of you who attend a Jewish wedding may be surprised at the sight of the groom stepping on a glass and breaking it at the climax of the religious event. The commemoration of which event is commonly believed to be the source of this custom?

Answer: The ruin of the first Holy Temple (586 BCE)

In 586 BCE, Jerusalem was sacked by Babylon, the first Jewish Holy Temple was ruined and Jews were deported to Babylon to the first exile. This exile brought with it lovely dirges of longing to return to Zion (Jerusalem) such as Psalm 137. It is an excerpt from this psalm that the groom recites while breaking the glass.
The unbreakable three-millenia bond between the Jewish people and Jerusalem has many more manifestations in Jewish tradition. A good example would be the fast of 9/11 (Tish'a Be'Av) which is believed to be the day when both Holy Temples were destroyed, and the three solemn weeks leading to it. Another one is the custom of leaving bare, part of the wall of a newly-built house.

A wonderful tradition brought to us by Gentlegiant17!
4. In Acadian (Maritime French Canadian) culture, a popular adage decrees that the weather experienced on which day of a month will persist throughout the remainder of the month? (Here's a hint to save you time -- the answer, player, is a rhyme!)

Answer: the third

The saying in French is "le trois fait le mois", or in English, "the third makes the month." Generally speaking, people tend to give credence to proverbs with rhyming components, perhaps because they are easy to remember and so often repeated. How many times have you heard it said that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" or that "birds of a feather flock together"?

An elegant lesson in French from our esteemed LadyCaitriona!
5. An English-speaking newcomer to Spain might be surprised to discover that no fear or phobia is attached to Friday the thirteenth in that country. What other day is regarded as the day of "mala suerte" (bad luck)?

Answer: Tuesday the thirteenth

The phobia regarding the number thirteen stems from much the same reasons as it does in any country, including the superstition regarding the number of people at the Last Supper.

Why Tuesday though? One reason is that the Spanish word for Tuesday, "martes", derives from the pagan god of war, Mars, and therefore is associated with violence, blood and misfortune. Other sources cite the fall of Constantinople in 1453 as having happened on a Tuesday the 13th, and (less plausibly) a legend that the confusing of world languages at the Tower of Babel took place on that day and date.

Another elegant language lesson, this time in Spanish from spanishliz.
6. In Italy, the traditional "cenone di Capodanno" (New Year's Eve dinner, a Lucullian banquet that can include 10-12 different courses) sets no limits to the cook's imagination. One dish can never be omitted from the menu, though, or the unfortunate guests might soon be penniless. In fact, it is believed that this dish, eaten on New Year's Eve, ensures financial prosperity for the upcoming year. What dish is it?

Answer: Lentils

Ancient lore proclaims that the more lentils one eats, the richer one will be in the coming year. Since lentils are mostly served around midnight as the last course in a huge New Year's feast, many Italians opt for digestion over pocketbook, and only consume a moderate quantity of the magical mixture.
Tradition also requires that the first lentil be eaten with the hands, a detail I forget every year, which must explain why I am not yet a millionaire.
The custom of eating lentils on New Year's Eve was already established by the time of Ancient Rome, where people used to give lentil-filled-purses to each other as New Year's presents, with the wish the contents might turn into golden coins.
The idea of lentils as a symbol for money may originate in the legumes' resemblance to little coins; moreover, lentils expand while cooking, and so may signify a growing fortune.

If you want an even more air-tight guarantee of a coming year full of success and money, eat those lentils wearing red underwear. This is another Italian New Year's Eve good-luck rite, for men and women alike!

Appropriately lucky cuisine from Italy submitted by Arlesienne.
7. A traveler sojourning through the northern sections of Canada is likely to find numerous piles of rocks, some of them roughly formed in the shape of a man, dotting the landscape. These creations can range in size from quite small, to human sized and larger. What is one of these piles of rocks called?

Answer: an inuksuk

Traditionally found in the fairly barren north, inuksugait (plural form) are formed from rocks, with each piece being chosen to fit together without benefit of mortar or glue. They can be a simple as a single, erect stone, or carefully crafted to resemble a human being with outstretched arms. They originally served to mark areas that were good for hunting and fishing, or used for navigational purposes, pointing the way of safe passage. Sometimes they were just used to indicate that a group or a family of Inuit had been there.
Larger formations were often used to help hunters herd caribou, as the animals would react to them as if they were other hunters to be avoided. Today the inuksuk has come to symbolize much more than just safe passage. It symbolizes human spirit and co-operation and can be found on the crest and flag of Nunavut, Canada's third territory.

A Spirit bear is a cream coloured subspecies of the black bear, found mostly in British Columbia. An igloo is a temporary shelter made of snow and a mukluk is an Inuit boot.

An intriguing and fascinating question about culture in the "Great White North," submitted by skunkee!
8. On only one day of the year in Australia - ANZAC Day - is this normally illegal gambling tradition permitted without fear of prosecution. What is it?

Answer: Two-Up

Two-up has been recorded as being played by Australia's convicts as early as the late 18th century. Needing a paddle or kip and just two pennies, the game is played as participants bet on the heads, tails or odds combinations as the coins are tossed. The game has always been very popular with Australia's serving soldiers and over the years has become a tradition on ANZAC Day, 25th April. After Australia remembers its fallen with morning services and marches, groups gather to play the normally illegal game for the rest of the day. While the game is now a part of the gambling line up in several casinos throughout the country, ANZAC Day is the only day of the year when the game can be played across the nation and not be deemed illegal.

An intriguing question with an excellent background by Nannanut.
9. In recent decades, the Maloik has become an extremely popular gesture with fans of heavy metal. By what other name is it better known?

Answer: Devil's horns

The name "maloik" is a mispronunciation of the Italian term "malocchio" which means "evil eye". Heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio is considered by many as the one who imported the gesture to music. He mentioned that he learned it from his Italian grandmother who used it to shoo off bad luck (or the "evil eye" as it is known throughout the Mediterranean). Dio is aware that his arch rival Gene Simmons of Kiss also claims to be the first one who used it in Rock, but then again he says that Gene Simmons thinks he invented everything he ever did. John Lennon is also mentioned by some as the gesture's originator in Rock music's context.

A fascinating question replete with great information and humor from our own gentlegiant17.
10. Not surprisingly, many common objects, animals and beliefs are significantly different across the world. For the most part, the much maligned magpie is an object of scorn in the West. What does the magpie portend in Korea?

Answer: Good news and an interesting guest will arrive.

In many parts of Asia, the magpie is considered to be a symbol of good fortune. It's quite interesting to view the contrast between hemispheres on the interpretation of this bird. Further, the magpie happens to be one of the very few non-primates capable of passing the "mirror test," capable of self-recognition.

This final question was submitted, again, by your host (christopherm).
Source: Author christopherm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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