Curious Customs: The Stories Behind 296 Popular American Rituals

Readers interested in various customs will find a good starting place with this book. Tuleja describes examples of folkloric traditions that are part of everyday American life. Each entry includes information on the historical context and meaning of each custom. It's written in an accessible style, and the book is interesting both to browse through and to read as a reference source. Tuleja includes an extensive bibliography for more information. The book does include material of interest to trivia buffs, but the book also includes discussion of serious topics. Some of the entries include speculations that are a bit thin and simplistic, but the overall work encourages readers to think about the history and significance of common traditions.

Before reading this book, I have been wondering why the Americans approve with the thumb turned up. Nobody has told me why. This book says that this custom dates back to the days of the Romans. In the Roman arena, the emperor spared a wounded gladiator's life by turning thumbs up. Of course he ordered death by turning thumbs down. "Tipping One's Hat","The OK Sign", "Shrugging Your Shoulders", "Three Meal A Day"... these sound interesting. This book tells so many facts behind the nonsensical things we do every day that once you have started reading it, it would be almost impossible to stop it before reading it through. This book is really exciting to read.