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April Fool’s Day Traditions Across the World
April 1 is a day you need to be on your guard in the UK as friends and relatives take the opportunity to play a prank or two on you. But what of the other countries around the world? Do you need to be wary on the first day of the fourth month?
Hamiltons Removals has been helping people move around the world for more than 25 years – so here is our guide to what you can expect in the way of tricks and japes if you are considering removals to Europe, the USA and other worldwide destinations.
France
Here April Fool’s Day is celebrated by sticking a paper fish to someone else’s back. This fishy custom is particularly popular with children and is also followed in Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, and French-speaking areas of Switzerland and Canada.
April 1 is also known as April Fish Day (poissons d’avril) – as you will discover if you embark on removals to France. This is believed to stem from the time the countries adopted the Gregorian calendar, which had the effect of moving January 1 to April 1. Legend has it that many people were not happy with this change and gave the ‘fishes’, which were originally New Year gifts, as a form of protest. Another school of thought says that those who refused to accept new dates were mocked and tricked.
Scotland
Here April 1 is known as Hunt the Gowk Day, as a foolish person is known as a ‘gowk’. Scotland celebrates it for two days, and the second, known as Taily Day, is devoted to physical pranks, which can mean sticking ‘kick me’ signs on victims’ backs as well as playing the paper fish trick.
Ireland
In Ireland, pranksters sent their victims an important letter to be given to a named person, who would then send the victim on to someone else, and so on – because when the victim finally tumbled and opened it, all the contents said was ‘send the fool further’ – the ultimate fools’ errand. Sending this unusual chain letter has also been a tradition in Scotland.
Another staple Irish April Fool is the fake news report, such as the story that Ireland’s motorists will soon be driving on the right-hand side of the road. However, this story has now been run several times so most people recognise it as untrue.
USA
If you are considering moving house to the USA, you will find that April Fool’s Day is celebrated all day long, unlike the UK and many European countries where the pranks end at noon. The term “fake news” isn’t just an invention of Donald Trump, as media organisations take part with untrue news reports.
Among the most famous American stories include the sale of the Liberty Bell to the Taco Bell restaurant chain (who would have called it the Taco Liberty Bell) and the White House announcing that it had sold the naming rights to the Lincoln Memorial to Ford.
It’s Not Always April 1
In Spain, Hispanic America and the Philippines, the nearest equivalent to April Fools’ Day is celebrated on December 28. This day of the year is Holy Innocents Day – a Christian festival when it is acceptable to play pranks.
In Portugal, people throw flour at their friends on the Sunday and Monday before Lent, while in India, the Holi festival is celebrated the day before April Fools’ Day. March 31 is a day to play jokes, wear face and body paint in what is believed to be a precursor of spring.
Removals to Europe and the USA with Hamiltons Removals
If you are planning removals to Europe, the USA or other parts of the UK, then Hamiltons Removals are the experts. We can help you with moves to France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia, as well as Scotland and Ireland.
As well as removals to the USA, we also offer moves to many other worldwide destinations, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada. Our network of contacts throughout the removals industry means we can keep our prices competitive and will be able to tailor a package to meet your individual needs. Just click on the link above if you would like to learn more.
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