Strange customs
As stated before, many countries around the world have different customs and ways of doing things. One custom I am particularly fond of, though the origin is a bit difficult to pin point, is the custom of using broomsticks as an indicator of when guests have over stayed their welcome.
It is very much passive aggressive in a sense. When guests arrive the broom is placed right side down, with the bristles touching the floor. Company is shown that their presence is not only welcome but appreciated. When the host feels that the guests have been present for too long they would flip the broom so that the bristles are pointed towards the roof of the house. This does not have to be in view of the guests but the act of doing it is said to immediately notify guests that it is time to leave.
Not all people buy into this but it is common knowledge enough that when it is done, even subtly, guests are meant to make a quick departure.
My culture has a different way of doing this but the idea also involves cleaning. My family simply starts cleaning when unwanted guests refuse to leave. Symbolically I suppose it means that the hosts are cleaning out "unwanted trash" but realistically no one wants to help clean and usually find an excuse to leave shortly after.
It is very much passive aggressive in a sense. When guests arrive the broom is placed right side down, with the bristles touching the floor. Company is shown that their presence is not only welcome but appreciated. When the host feels that the guests have been present for too long they would flip the broom so that the bristles are pointed towards the roof of the house. This does not have to be in view of the guests but the act of doing it is said to immediately notify guests that it is time to leave.
Not all people buy into this but it is common knowledge enough that when it is done, even subtly, guests are meant to make a quick departure.
My culture has a different way of doing this but the idea also involves cleaning. My family simply starts cleaning when unwanted guests refuse to leave. Symbolically I suppose it means that the hosts are cleaning out "unwanted trash" but realistically no one wants to help clean and usually find an excuse to leave shortly after.

