Read the following article about birthday celebrations, and then answer the questions on the opposite page
Happy Birthday!
People around the world celebrate their birthdays in many different ways. Here are some examples of customs from different countries:
United Kingdom:
A special cake is made and small candles are put on the top. The person celebrating their birthday has to blow out all the candles at the same time if their wishes are to come true. Then all their family and friends sing a song wishing them a happy birthday. Some people also like to give the birthday boy or girl ‘the bumps’. This means that one person holds their legs, another person holds their arms, and then they lift them up and down, bumping them each time they touch the ground. The number of bumps is the same as the person’s age, and then one extra bump is given for good luck.
Germany:
Small candles are placed in a special birthday candle holder and put on the dining table. Then a large, beautifully decorated candle is placed in the centre. The candles are lit early in the morning and kept burning until the evening, when the birthday boy or girl has to try and blow out all the candles with one breath. One interesting custom involves single men celebrating their 30th birthday. They have to take a brush and sweep the steps of the city hall. At the same time, some friends throw rubbish onto the steps, making them more difficult to clean. In this way, all the women can see which man is still single at 30, and they can find out whether he is good at cleaning.
Brazil:
On their birthday, Brazilian children usually enjoy eating sweets which are in the shape of fruit and vegetables. Their homes are decorated with banners and brightly coloured flowers. Adults and older children pull the ears of the birthday boy or girl, one pull for every year of their age. There is a cake and the birthday boy or girl has to give the first slice to their most special friend or relative.
Mexico:
A model of an animal is made out of papier-mâché. It is filled with sweets and good things to eat, and then hung from the ceiling. The birthday boy’s or girl’s eyes are then covered up, and they try to hit the animal shape until it breaks open and the sweets fall out. Then they share the contents with family and friends and they all sing a birthday song.
Canada:
In Canada, it is traditional for Canadians to cover the birthday boy’s or girl’s nose with butter. The idea is that the greasy nose makes it too slippery for bad luck to stick to them. They hope that only good luck will follow them for a year.
In the UK, why do people try to blow out all their birthday candles at the same time?