The cult of gifts in Japan: what is customary to give for various holidays and occasions

Traditions in Japan are an important part of the life of any resident of the country. The Japanese have been taught them since childhood. Children who do not yet know how to walk or talk properly are already observing their first rituals and rules. Strict adherence to Japanese ancient traditions helps the country preserve its primitiveness, which arouses great interest from tourists. We will tell you about the most important and unusual traditions in Japan.

Japan is a country with centuries-old traditions

Japanese family traditions

For a Japanese, family means a lot. Therefore, all family traditions are observed with the utmost care and rigor.

For many centuries, a custom called “miai” existed in noble and titled families. This is when the groom for a girl was chosen by her parents, regardless of the opinion of the future bride. The young man was not asked either, but was introduced to his future wife during the engagement.

It is curious that even now many Japanese families are formed in a similar way. This happens especially often when families want to merge a business or strengthen a working relationship. Parents select suitable candidates and arrange screenings. But now future newlyweds are allowed to participate in choosing a partner.

There are many marriage agencies in Japan that, following customs, find wives or husbands for young people.

For the Japanese, there is nothing wrong with an arranged marriage. On the contrary, they believe that this is what serious mature people do, and falling in love is a temporary and impermanent phenomenon, not necessary for a good family life.

Patriarchy still persists in Japan. Typically, Japanese women work only until they get married, and then take care of family matters:

• raise children;
• look after the house;
• prepare family dinners;
• go shopping.

Men work long hours, often even on weekends, to feed their entire family. They practically do not participate in raising children and household chores.

A woman must unquestioningly obey a man, not contradict him, speak respectfully, and take care of his comfort. She does everything to please her husband/father/brother. For many Europeans, this seems wild and humiliating, but the Japanese will not allow himself to show disrespect to his companion, so a warm and harmonious relationship develops between them.

Japanese women are smart and strong women, and by submitting to their husband, they can achieve more from him than the same independent European women.

Family is an important part of any Japanese life.

Girls decide absolutely all economic issues themselves, without consulting their husbands. He only allocates money for the household, but the hostess herself decides how to use it.

An important day in the life of any Japanese woman is when her aged mother-in-law gives her a spatula called samoji (rice is served to all family members). Samoji is considered the status symbol of the lady of the house. The process of handing over the blade is celebrated with a ceremony.

Previously, the Japanese lived in one house in large families with their parents and grandparents. Nowadays you rarely see this - Japanese apartments are very small, it’s difficult to fit even three people in there. But respect for ancestors is very important for the Japanese. Young people never forget about their parents and try to visit them as often as possible.

However, in Japan it is not considered shameful to send elderly relatives to a nursing home. Many of these institutions operate on the principle of a kindergarten - the elderly are brought there in the morning before work, nursing home staff work with them during the day, and their relatives are taken home in the evening.

Traditional Japanese weddings

Most Japanese people will never admit that they are superstitious. But they set the wedding date only on “happy days”; on other days the wedding halls are empty. A wedding is a significant event in the life of a Japanese person; they prepare for it at least six months to a year in advance.

There are two types of marriage in Japan:

• arranged marriage, it is considered traditional;
• love-match.

If the Japanese choose the first option, then they turn to a matchmaker who is looking for a candidate. She provides future newlyweds and their families with a dossier that contains all the information about the partner - profile, photographs, biography. If young people are interested in each other, then the matchmaker will organize a meeting for them - miai.

If the first date is successful, the young people begin dating and only then make a decision about marriage.

The Japanese see many advantages in arranged marriages:

• saving time for finding a partner;
• the likelihood of situations where parents do not like their son-in-law or daughter-in-law is reduced, because they participate in the selection of applicants;
• future spouses thoroughly study all the information about each other, deciding whether a partner is suitable for them or not.

THIS IS INTERESTING. After the end of World War II, the percentage of arranged marriages began to decline; more and more Japanese people want to marry for love.

The Japanese are in no hurry to get married; the average age of the bride and groom is 28 years and 31 years, respectively.

Wedding ceremonies are usually held in Japanese (traditional) or Western styles.

Previously, during the engagement, the groom's family gave money and symbols of good luck to the bride's family - kombu seaweed and abalone. Now this tradition has given way to another custom: the groom gives the bride a ring, and she gives him some gifts.

A Japanese-style wedding takes place at a Shinto shrine, with the newlyweds announcing their union to the shrine's deity. A ceremony is held to protect the newlyweds from evil spirits. They ask the gods for all the best for the young family. The newlywed husband and wife drink sacred wine and then exchange rings, a custom that came to Japan from the West.

If the couple decides to have a Western (Christian) style ceremony, the groom will wait for the bride at the altar. Her father brings her to him. The newlyweds take their marriage vows to their guests. This is followed by an exchange of rings.

The bride wears a white kimono or a modern wedding dress, depending on the style of the ceremony. But in any case, during the celebration, she will go away to change clothes and come out to the guests in a bright colored kimono - this tradition means that the girl has joined her husband’s family and is ready to begin her daily duties.

If the bride is dressed in a traditional white kimono, then she will have something like a hood on her head. It serves to hide the “horns”. The Japanese believe that they are the ones that grow on a girl’s head if she is overly jealous. Jealousy is a shameful thing in Japan.

The groom is dressed in all black - a kimono or suit.

Japanese bride and groom in traditional wedding dresses

A lot of people are invited to the wedding celebration - relatives, friends, colleagues. An obligatory ritual is the cutting of a large cake by the newlyweds to the applause of all those present.

Guests, congratulating newly-made spouses, usually give money in beautiful decorative envelopes. When congratulating you, you need to avoid some words:

• cut;
• divide;
• to return.

At the end of the holiday, the husband and wife also thank the guests. They give bouquets to their parents, and then the groom gives gifts to all other participants in the celebration. They are presented with hakide-mono - wedding gifts. Moreover, the newlyweds approach this custom carefully; all gifts are selected separately for each guest; the newlyweds are not limited to formal souvenirs.

Traditions in raising Japanese children

Children for the Japanese are little kings. Until the age of five, children are not denied anything; mothers constantly carry them in their arms, without prohibiting anything or limiting their freedom.

The child's bed is next to the mother's. If the baby expresses a desire to be with his mother, she drops everything she is doing and takes care of her offspring. A bowl of rice is placed at the head of the baby's crib - a gift to the gods.

The baby is dressed in clothes with sleeves only on the third day, this is accompanied by a ceremony where everyone present is treated to rice and red beans.

On the seventh day, an important ritual is performed - the child is given a name. All close relatives of the baby take part in the choice, sometimes they even turn to fortune tellers. After this, babies are often taken outside for the first time.

On the hundredth day the baby is brought to the temple.

And every year, different instruments are laid out in front of him:

• hammer;
• abacus;
• writing instruments;
• sickle and others.

It is believed that the object that the child takes first will determine the type of his activity in the future.

At the same time, the child is gently and unobtrusively taught restraint, the rules of etiquette, and is told about traditions. He notices many of them because he is constantly with his mother.

Young children in Japan are allowed absolutely everything.

Children are rarely sent to kindergartens. After all, this means that the father cannot provide for the family, and the mother has to go to work. This state of affairs is sharply condemned by society.

It is also considered a great shame if a child cries or is upset - after all, a good mother anticipates all the baby’s desires in advance and will not give him a reason to express his dissatisfaction or behave badly in society.

But everything changes after little Japanese go to school. At first, most of the classes at the educational institution are devoted not to knowledge, but to strict, sometimes harsh, discipline, teaching etiquette, traditions, and rules of behavior in society. School classes are often mixed so that children can communicate with different environments.

In a family with the advent of the second and subsequent children, there is a strict hierarchy. The eldest son is secretly considered the main one, he should be respected and obeyed. Girls are raised to be submissive and helpful from childhood.

At the age of seven, an important ritual is held when the differences between boys and girls are first emphasized. Boys are given a loincloth, and girls an apron (“belt of modesty”).

THIS IS INTERESTING. The most difficult role goes to the penultimate child in the family.
It is even called hiyameshi-san - brother cooled rice. The mother always pays attention to the children according to their seniority; only the youngest child, who is constantly with her, has no competition. Therefore, when during family dinners the mother serves food to all the children according to seniority, the dishes often reach the penultimate child already cold.

Russian name days

Until the beginning of the 19th century, it was not customary to celebrate birthdays in our country. Instead, starting from the 17th century, the name day was pompously celebrated - the day of remembrance of the saint in whose honor a person received his name at baptism. Large tables were set for name days. Rolls, pies and loaves are among the main treats. The assembled guests congratulated the birthday boy and sang songs in his honor.

In the 19th century, the custom of celebrating birthdays arose; at first only nobles and merchants did this. It was only in the 20th century that birthdays received the status of an important holiday that was given great importance. Russians love to do everything on a grand scale, and this also applies to organizing celebrations. And today they organize big holidays - they lay a table replete with food and drinks, sing songs, and have fun. The invitees present gifts and make beautiful and laudatory speeches in honor of the hero of the occasion.

Customs related to food

In Japan, when entering home, it is customary to take off your street shoes and put on slippers. Before guests arrive, they are kindly placed near the front door. However, before sitting down at the table, slippers must also be removed. Every breakfast, lunch or dinner in Japan begins with the words “itadakimas”. This is something like the phrase “bon appetit” that we are used to. This is how the Japanese thank everyone who was in one way or another involved in the dishes on the table - who prepared the food, who collected the ingredients for it, to the higher powers that helped them. A hot towel is also provided before the start so that everyone present can dry their hands. After all, according to Japanese customs, it is not considered shameful to take food with your hands; it is important that they are clean.

Tables in Japan are very low. The dinner participants sit behind them on the tatami, in the seiza position - on their heels with a straight back. At official celebrations, this position is considered mandatory, but at home you can sit at the table in Turkish style.

Japanese culture implies that a person should not only eat, but also enjoy the taste of food. Therefore, all dishes are served in separate dishes and cannot be mixed.

There are always a lot of dishes on the table; in addition to traditional rice and several soups, more than 5 types of snacks are served. But the portions are very small, this is done so that those present can try all the dishes without overeating.

During a meal, many dishes are placed on the table

Traditionally, food is placed on the table at the same time, it is laid out in special dishes that maintain the optimal temperature. This way no one worries that the food will get cold. If suddenly, for some reason, the dishes are not placed on the table all at once, then there is a strict order in which they appear:

• rice;
• sashimi (raw fish);
• soup;
• seafood and meat prepared in any way;
• spicy food.

While eating, it is not considered shameful to slurp loudly - on the contrary, this will show your hosts how much you enjoy the food.

But according to Japanese traditions, you don’t have to finish the dish. This serves as a signal to the owner to bring another one. If you have eaten your entire portion, it means that you are full. But rice must be eaten to the last grain, otherwise it is considered disrespectful.

The Japanese eat almost all dishes with chopsticks, even soup - the broth is carefully drunk directly from the cup, and the rest is eaten with chopsticks.

There are a number of rules that must be followed when using chopsticks. They are prohibited:

• move dishes;
• point to someone present;
• pass food;
• ask for another portion.

You also cannot stick chopsticks vertically into food - this is done only at funerals when remembering the dead.

Do not place chopsticks across the cup, hold them in your fist, or hold them in your hand together with other objects.

After finishing the meal, those gathered say the phrase gotiso: -sama-desita, which means “this was a wonderful meal.”

Japanese drinking traditions

Traditionally, Japanese people drink three types of alcoholic beverages:

• sake;
• beer;
• whiskey.

Sake is a traditional alcoholic drink in Japan.
While drinking alcohol, it is not customary to clink glasses or make toasts. They drink in silence, only before raising their glasses for the first time do they say “kampai” in unison.

The Japanese are not resistant to alcohol, so they get drunk quickly and from small amounts of alcohol. But they don’t see anything wrong with it, so a drunk person is not condemned by society.

THIS IS INTERESTING. Many restaurants in Japan allow you to leave an unfinished bottle of alcohol until your next visit to the restaurant. The bottle will be signed and carefully stored behind the bar.

Tea ceremony in Japan

There are several types of tea ceremonies:

• night - takes place after midnight and lasts until approximately 4 am;
• at dawn - from 4 to 6 am;
• morning - takes place from 6 am, usually in hot weather, when it is still cool in the morning;
• afternoon - starts at about one o'clock in the afternoon;
• evening - from 6 pm;
• special - held on holidays or during important events.

Before the ceremony begins, all guests are gathered in one room and served with hot water. They are then led through a beautiful garden to a tea house, where the host of the ceremony is already waiting for them.

There is a well next to the house; everyone present washes their faces, hands, and rinses their mouths.

After that, they take off their shoes and go into the tea house.

Tea ceremony venue

Here the host bows to his guests and sits opposite them.

While the water is heating up, light snacks are served.

After a snack, all guests leave the house to take a walk and stretch their legs. And the owner at this time makes chabana - a composition of flowers.

Finally the guests return, and the owner begins to prepare tea. No one talks during this process.

The tea is given to the oldest participant in the ceremony to taste first, then to the youngest. Tea is drunk from a common cup, which symbolizes the unity of all participants.

When the cup is empty, the drink is poured into the cups of each guest, and the conversation begins.

Then the owner, apologizing, leaves the guests. This means that the ceremony has come to an end.

The timing must be calculated correctly so that by the end of the ceremony the flowers in the chabana have time to open.

After the guests leave, the owner returns to the tea house to clean up and reminisce about the tea ceremony.

We invite you to watch a short video about the tea ceremony.

O-chugen and o-seibo: summer and winter gifts

Sometimes a gift can express our attitude towards a person better than any words.
The custom of giving gifts exists all over the world, they are given on birthdays, Christmas, New Year, but in Japan it is customary to give them much more often, and the culture of gifts occupies an important place in the daily life of the Japanese. There is a custom of giving gifts twice a year to those who usually take care of you. Giving in the summer, during the summer festival of remembrance of the ancestors of O-Bon, is called o-chugen

, and in winter, during the New Year's period -
o-seibo
.

O-chugen

, literally "middle source", comes from the Chinese tradition of celebrating the days of the "three sources" (Chinese:
san yuan
).
The day of the "middle source", o-chugen
, which fell on the 15th day of the seventh month according to the lunar calendar, is associated with the memorial festival of O-Bon, when offerings for the souls of ancestors were given to relatives and neighbors.
In the 17th century, merchants began to give gifts to their regular customers, and over time it became a custom to give gifts not only to relatives and parents, but also to business partners, superiors, etc. O-seibo

Toshigami
deities who came to home for the New Year. Such offerings were brought to the home of the main branch of the family, the head of the family, but gradually gifts also began to be given to people to whom they owe something, in gratitude for their care.

In different regions o-chugen

They are given at different times, this period lasts from early July to mid-August.
O-seibo
is served from mid to late December. During these periods, department stores and supermarkets have special sections for such gifts, and they are usually a hit with customers. On average, one family makes two or three such gifts. Previously, they were personally carried by one of the family members, or they were sent by mail, using the appropriate service at the department store, but now they often choose a method that suits the occasion, using the free delivery services of expensive department stores, ordering them on the Internet, or sending them from the nearest supermarket. Advances in technology provide more and more choices.

Traditional holidays in Japan

Almost all Japanese prefer to celebrate holidays with their family. Several generations gather in one house, the table is set, and gifts are exchanged.

Birthday is a favorite holiday among most of the population; it is celebrated unusually among the Japanese. On this day, it is not the birthday boy himself who receives congratulations and gifts, but his parents. They are considered the heroes of the occasion.

In Japan, it is not customary to celebrate the 19th and 33rd birthdays for women and the 25th and 42nd for men. On these dates, the Japanese are advised to visit the temple for a ritual of protection from troubles and evil spirits.

On their sixtieth birthday, the Japanese throw a grand celebration. It is believed that after reaching this age a person enters a “second infancy”. Then 77, 88 and 99 years are celebrated in a big way.

Over time, more and more Japanese are throwing Western-style birthday parties for their children, where the little birthday boy gets all the attention.

There are special holidays for girls and boys.

Girls' Day is also called Dolls' Day and is celebrated in early March. On this day, a collection of richly dressed ceramic dolls is always displayed in all homes. When a girl is born in a family, she is given the first doll. So, for her marriage, she collects at least fifteen similar toys. It is believed that they instill a sense of beauty and teach good manners.

Girls are allowed to invite their friends to the holiday, many desserts are put on the table, and little Japanese girls can even drink a sip of sweet sake.

Girls' Day is the favorite holiday of little Japanese girls

Previously, on this day, a ritual of getting rid of misfortunes and illnesses was carried out. Small dolls were cut out of paper, and the shaman performed special rituals to transfer all the evil to the paper figures. The pupae were then sent swimming to the nearest river. If there was no body of water nearby, they were burned or buried. This tradition is outdated, but in some Japanese villages you can still see floating dolls in early March.

Boys' Day is celebrated in Japan on May 5th. On this day, a collection of weapons, figurines of warriors, and military paraphernalia are displayed in homes. Prepare a special treat:

• rice balls;
• rice with red beans;
• rice wrapped in oak leaves.

Boys are given gifts. Previously, they were given ritual dolls, now they are given ordinary children's toys.

THIS IS INTERESTING. After World War II, the holiday is called Children's Day and is considered an official holiday.
But still, on this day more attention is paid to boys.

What is not customary to give as a gift in Japan?

Any search for a gift begins with the question: “What to give?” A clear understanding of what items for gifts are considered taboo among the Japanese will save you from awkward situations:

• Very expensive gifts. In the land of the rising sun, it is customary to respond to any gift with a gift that is not inferior in value to the gift presented. Having given, even with all your heart, an expensive gift, you force the recipient to spend a decent amount on you in return. It’s better to limit yourself to something more budget-friendly and modest;
• Useless gifts. These include everything that does not have a specific benefit. Souvenirs, magnets, collectible figures, beautiful but non-utilitarian things. The Japanese will accept toilet soap, tea or coffee, meat and fruit, towels and other simple things with greater pleasure than a figurine made of precious metals or interior decor;
• Very personal gifts. If in Russia it is customary to be interested in the interests and hobbies of the recipient, find out about his hobbies and give a gift related to these interests, then in Japan personal gifts are a sign of bad taste;
• White flowers. White color in Japan is considered a mourning color, and flowers in this color range are often presented in honor of mourning, on days of remembrance and at funerals. At any other time, white flowers are not a good choice.

Another sign of bad taste, which applies to all occasions and gifts of any type without exception, is the lack of packaging. Any gift, even the most inexpensive and insignificant one, must be beautifully packaged. How - depends on the reason for the gift and the recipient.

Japanese New Year

Preparations for the New Year begin in December. First, fairs and bazaars open, where all the necessary talismans and amulets that should be in a Japanese home are sold:

• arrows with white feathers;
• boats with rice;
• deity Daruma;
• bear paw.

The Japanese have an important ritual associated with Daruma. The figurine is sold without eyes. One eye is drawn by its owner, while making a wish. If it comes true within a year, then a second eye will be drawn on Daruma and placed in a prominent place. And if not, then the figurine will be burned.

In December, all Japanese exchange nengajo - special New Year's cards. This is an important ritual. The cards depict the symbol of the coming year. Even at school, children are taught to sign these cards correctly. As a sign of special respect, the Japanese themselves write wishes by hand, despite the printed text. You need to send detailed postcards to everyone - relatives, neighbors, friends, colleagues. If a Japanese person receives a postcard from someone to whom he did not send it himself, he needs to correct this misunderstanding as quickly as possible. The postcard must reach the recipient by January 3. If it’s later, then an apology is attached to the postcard.

Special nengajo New Year cards

On the last weekend of December, the house is thoroughly cleaned, every corner is cleaned.

Then the house is decorated. Instead of Christmas trees, they put motibana - these are willow or bamboo branches that are decorated with balls, fruits or flowers. The branches are painted in bright colors.

On December 31st, all Japanese families have a festive dinner. They try to wear the most beautiful things for him. Children under 12 years of age must wear new, never worn clothing.

All dishes for the festive table are not chosen by chance. All of them symbolize luck, family well-being, health and wealth. Before starting dinner, be sure to take a sip of o-toso - sake with medicinal herbs.

After dinner is over, the Japanese go to Buddhist temples, where rituals for getting rid of sins are performed. To do this, a huge bell is struck with a log 108 times. The number was not chosen randomly. The Japanese believe that there are 6 vices, each of which has 18 shades. Thus, you have to make 108 blows - one for each of them.

Then all residents move to Shinto shrines, where they are treated to sake. Also in the temples fire is lit in special lanterns. Every Japanese resident will light a piece of string from it and bring it home to light a fire in the fireplace or near the house. This is a ritual for happiness and health.

On New Year's Eve, all residents of the country try to go to bed as early as possible in order to quickly meet the first dawn of the new year. In the morning, all the Japanese clap their hands. They then go back to the temple where they throw coins on white towels and pray. After prayer, Japanese residents buy wooden tablets where they can write an appeal to the gods.

On January 1, the Japanese go to visit. Moreover, you don’t need to linger there - you can simply leave your business card on a special table so that the owners of the house know that you were their guest.

For about two more weeks, celebrations, competitions and concerts take place in Japan.

The New Year celebration ends with the lighting of a fire, where all New Year paraphernalia is burned.

New Year's gifts and Japanese Santa Claus

In Japan, Segatsu-san visits homes and offices during the New Year's week. He is dressed in a beautiful blue kimono and wishes all the residents a Happy New Year. The little Japanese are not waiting for him - after all, he comes without gifts.

They are waiting for Oji-san to arrive. This character appeared in Japan literally 30 years ago and is an analogue of Santa Claus. He even looks the same. Children write letters to him and order gifts. Oji-san can be met before the New Year in supermarkets, shopping centers and on the streets of the country.

Japanese Santa Claus Oji-san

Children are usually given whatever they ask for in their letters.

But there are also traditional gifts. Some of them are called o-seibo. They are given by juniors to seniors, teachers, and superior colleagues. The cost of the gift is clearly regulated and depends on the rank of the donor. You can buy o-seibo in special stores, and the gift will be delivered on the desired date.

Another gift is called otoshidama. This is a beautiful envelope with money that relatives give to their younger family members.

People of the same age often don’t buy each other anything.

Food products as the most popular gift

Most often they give beer. In addition, they give coffee and other drinks, fruits, sweets, seafood and other food products, which can be delivered to the recipient directly from the place of their production or extraction. Tickets for the purchase of goods are also used as gifts, since in these cases it is considered not quite decent to give money, and in order not to burden the recipient with a gift that may not suit him. One gift usually costs between three and five thousand yen, and many determine the value of a gift based on the age and nature of the relationship with the recipient. Sales of healthy gourmet foods have also increased in recent years.

In Japan, there is also a special custom of giving musk melons (cantaloupes), which are grown specifically as a gift item. The high-quality fruit store "Sembikiya", one of the oldest stores with a history of 180 years, makes 20% of its sales from such melons with a strong aroma. Only one melon is grown per plant, and the price of melons is 10-20 thousand yen (80-160 dollars). Initially, such melons were presented to the imperial court as rare delicacies, and now these expensive fruits are given on the occasion of a visit during illness, as o-chugen

and
o-seibo
.

Modern Japanese traditions

Many ancient customs and rituals of Japan are gone, giving way to new ones. They are useful to know if you are going to visit the country and not find yourself in an awkward situation.

1. In Japan, you can't point your finger, it will be considered disrespectful. If you want to show something, do it with an open hand.
2. Handle business cards with respect. For the Japanese, this is not just a piece of paper with a phone number, but an important thing, one of the components of their culture. Having received a business card, you should look at it with interest, study all the information and carefully put it away in the business card holder.
3. In Japan, it is not customary to eat on the go. Even if you bought food at a street cafe, sit down somewhere or eat while standing.
4. Leaving a tip in Japan is bad manners. This will only offend the employee.
5. If your mobile phone rings on the street or in a public place, you should keep the conversation as quiet as possible so as not to embarrass those present.
6. Before going to the bathroom, you need to wash yourself thoroughly. For the Japanese, taking a bath is a ritual of stress relief, meditation, a pleasant relaxing procedure, but not washing. So they take a shower before taking a bath.
7. Taxi drivers will be happy to open and close car doors for you. If you do this yourself, taxi drivers will be very upset.
8. In Japan you cannot smoke while walking. This is considered dangerous because you could accidentally burn someone. Therefore, in some regions this ban applies at the legislative level.
9. If you are traveling in a crowded train carriage, you are required to take your backpack off your back and keep it in your hands throughout the entire journey.
10. The Japanese don't like to be touched. Even lovers rarely hug and kiss. This is why handshakes are not accepted in the country. Try not to touch the residents of the country without important reasons.

There are thousands of rituals, traditions and customs in Japan. It is simply impossible to learn them all, but the Japanese highly appreciate it when visitors know and follow at least the basic ones.

Great Britain

A special feature of the celebration in the UK is that guests are notified in advance - invitations are sent out 2 months before the celebration. It is believed that in this way guests will be able to make their plans in advance and decide in advance whether they will attend the celebration or give preference to other important matters.

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On this day, it is customary to predict the fate of the birthday person. This is done using common fortune telling or a specially invited fortune teller. Citizens celebrating their 80th, 90th, and 100th birthdays receive personal congratulations from the Queen of England.