Why singles in Denmark get covered in cinnamon
God forbid you're unmarried at 30
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Breathe, singletons - Valentine's Day is over.
If you live in Denmark, however, the nightmare continues.
As an article in The Telegraph explains, the streets of Denmark are often covered in cinnamon - and it's part of a long-standing tradition.
When you turn 25, if you're unmarried, it is customary in Denmark for your friends and family to cover you in the spice.
They don't go easy on you, either, covering people from head to toe and splashing them with water so the cinnamon sticks better.
Here's what it looks like:
In Denmark being unmarried on your 25th birthday gives people social license to pelt you with cinnamon.
A Danish man told The Telegraph that the tradition may date back hundreds of years to when spice salesmen would travel around and remain bachelors because they were never in one place long enough to settle down with someone.
Many of these salesmen would never find a partner, and would then be referred to as Pebersvends, which means “Pepper Dudes.” A single woman is thus called a “Pebermø,” or “pepper maiden.”
This makes sense on your 30th birthday, where the cinnamon gets upgraded to pepper.
If they're feeling super mean, Danes sometimes add eggs to the mix because it “helps with adhesion.”
Contrary to what the actions suggest, nobody is being judged for still being single at 25. The average age of men getting married in Denmark is 34 and a half, and for women it's 32.
Rather than a punishment, the tradition is just an excuse to play a prank and be silly with your friends when they reach milestone ages. It's also pretty funny.
• Bill Gates says this is the most beautiful chart in the world
• Four charts Bill Gates loves because they prove the world is improving
• How to sell yourself in 30 seconds and leave people wanting more
Read the original article on Business Insider UK. © 2018. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments