American Сulture. Жукова Е.Ф. - 47 стр.

      Different cultures have different ways of celebrating the New Year. In fact, in
some countries around the world, the date of the New Year is not January 1 because
the country uses a different calendar. For example, Israelis celebrate the New Year in
the fall, and for Asians the New Year usually comes in February.
      This is the story of some traditions of celebrating New Year in Different places
in America.


Happy New Year, Now Go Eat Cabbage
By Maria Black burn
Gannett News Service
So you want to celebrate the coming of the New Year.
      First, gather your family around an open front door at midnight, then bang
some pots and pans together and scream, “Horse s---, sailor, the sea’s on fire!”
      That’s what Julie Routson’s relatives in Fremont, Ohio, used to do.
      Routson, now of Chesapeake, Va., says she “has no idea” where the custom
came from. “It was something Aunt Doris started, “ she says.
      Okay, so maybe you don’t do this in your family.
      But chances are you probably dust off the same set of New Year’s traditions
every year, even if you don’t know where they came from what they mean. On
January 1, sometimes it’s necessary to use a little folklore to ward off eveil spirits and
make sure the coming year is full of health, wealth and good luck.
      Here are some examples of New Year’s customs, and where they originated:
– Hog jaws, cabbage and black-eyed peas for New Year’s dinner will bring luck.
   (North Carolina)
– If you cry on New Year’s Day, you’ll be sorry throughout the year. (Illinois)
– For New Year’s, lobster represents good health and happiness. If in preparing it,
   the lobster is dropped or the feelers broken, a new lobster should be fixed. The
   feelers should be as symmetrical as possible. (Japanese-Americans living in Los
   Angeles)

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