278 - Have you ever misunderstood a tradition in another country?

It was the end of October and I was living in France.

I stopped at the store on my way home from work.

They had beautiful decorations on sale made of pine branches and Chrysanthemums and other Fall foliage.

One was just the right size as a centerpiece for my 8" long table.

Our neighbors were coming to dinner that night and it seemed like the perfect Fall touch.

Our guests arrived and everything was going splendidly as we chatted over wine and appetizers.

Then I invited everyone to come to sit down for dinner.

My neighbor gasped when she saw the centerpiece.

"JANE, why is THAT on your table?"

I was confused. I cheerfully explained that I bought it earlier as a Fall decoration.

"OH NO!!", she exclaimed, as she informed me of its purpose.

My centerpiece was a traditional GRAVE DECORATION for All Saints Day, on November 1.

No wonder it was so long!

Once my neighbors realized I wasn't playing a morbid joke on them, they got a good laugh out of it.

I removed the centerpiece at that point because the visual had suddenly changed.

A lively evening was had by all. (pun intended)

Have you ever misunderstood a tradition in another country?