Culture & Traditions

Since 2006, there's been an enormous increase in mass murders and many experts think this may be because of the publicity these criminals receive on TV and the Internet. Could the wide coverage inspire copycat behavior?

By Alia Hoyt

Body painting, popular with models, artists and cosplayers, is a visually striking medium. But are there hidden dangers? Can head-to-toe body paint actually kill you? Read this to find out if death by paint is real.

By Debra Ronca

Tattoos are pretty conspicuous, and most are meant to be. But what if we told you the seemingly clean-cut person next to you has an arm covered with ink, and you just can't see it? Welcome to the world of glow-in-the-dark tattoos.

By Debra Ronca

It's not difficult to see a tattoo - it's often visible, right there on someone's body. But is it possible to recognize a tattoo by its smell?

By Debra Ronca

We've all teased someone by sticking out our tongue. But imagine your friend's shock when your taster sports a tattoo with a smiley face. Is there a trade-off for this unusual tattoo? Find out if your food still tastes the same with an inked tongue.

By Debra Ronca

Whether you're there to grab light bulbs or a dinner feast, the grocery store is full of opportunities to get a little lax with your social graces. Here are some guidelines to keep the process running smoothly. What are your grocery rules?

By Oisin Curran

Hey, recognize me? I'm the one chatting loudly on my cell phone on the treadmill next to yours. Later on, I'll forget to wipe off the machine when I get off. Yep, I'm the gym hog who needs a refresher course in etiquette.

By Alia Hoyt

Pointing is such a simple and effective gesture, yet it's a source of controversy in many cultures. But exactly why is it rude for someone to point?

By Kate Kershner

Ah, the modern office cubicle. It's the ultimate illusion of privacy, because we all know that it won't protect you from your co-workers' loud conversations or food smells, not to mention their use of the speakerphone.

By Kate Kershner

Attended a really nice dinner lately? You probably couldn't help but notice all of the fancy silverware. Believe it or not, there's a reason for all of it.

By Kate Kershner

Adherence to etiquette and other social rules seems to be on the decline, but one rule seems to live on: males shall not wear hats inside.

By Kate Kershner

In every nation and culture, people stare. And it's universally considered rude behavior, but who made the rule that staring at someone was uncool?

By Kate Kershner

It's dinner time! And everyone is enjoying the meal, excepting those folks texting away on their phones. Are they being rude or is this an acceptable part of modern life?

By Kate Kershner

Your phone is ringing, but you just don't want to talk to the caller. So you let the call go to voicemail and now you feel guilty. Is it ever OK to screen your calls?

By Kate Kershner

We are taught not to talk about our salary with anyone, but there are actually some very good reasons why you sometimes should.

By Kate Kershner

You toss your clothes and detergent in, let the cycle run and then pop that laundry in the dryer. Easy peasy. But there are some nuances to laundromat manners you may not be privy to.

By Maria Trimarchi

Using the @ sign on Twitter can be helpful, but many people unwittingly -- and sometimes knowingly -- misuse it when dogging someone out.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

You've heard of tattoos and tongue rings, maybe even split tongues. Transdermals, however, take body modification to a whole new level.

By Julia Layton

You close your eyes over your birthday cake, make a wish and take a deep breath. Everything is riding on this solitary exhale. Why do we think it's bad luck not to blow out all the birthday candles in one breath?

By Laurie L. Dove

There are many rituals that surround the act of prayer, one of the most prevalent of which is closing one's eyes. Why do so many people close their eyes to pray?

By Laurie L. Dove

Generations of pedestrians have avoided stepping on cracks to prevent their poor mothers' backs from being broken. Is there a reason for this practice, or is it just another baseless superstition?

By Laurie L. Dove

Everyone knows you're not supposed to open an umbrella indoors. Explore the history behind this long-held superstition.

By Laurie L. Dove

That uncomfortable, frightened, jittery feeling known as "the willies" is probably a familiar one. How did "the willies" get its name?

By Laurie L. Dove

About one out of every 10,000 clovers in a patch has four leaves. How do you increase your odds of finding a lucky one in a sea of three-leaf clovers?

By Laurie L. Dove

You've probably tossed dozens of coins into various fountains over the years. What happens to all that money?

By Laurie L. Dove