HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Cultures and Traditions takes a look at how people interact with each other. This might be through sub-cultures, relationships, fads or religion and spirituality.
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Halloween is just around the corner, so start planning now to throw a "killer" Halloween party. We'll take the stress out of planning by showing you Halloween themes that are so fun ... it's scary.
When you really think about it, kissing is pretty gross -- it's rooted in saliva and mucous membranes. Yet anthropologists report that 90 percent of the people in the world kiss. So what's all the fuss about?
If you've ever seen costumed people with weapons covered in duct tape, then you've made contact with LARPers. Part battle, part story-telling, the Live Action Role Playing trend began in the 1960s and is still growing thanks to the continued popularity of fantasy and science fiction.
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Conspiracy theories are often ridiculous explanations for a disputed case or matter. There are conspiracy theories about everything from aliens to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America. Find out how these theories get started in this article.
Polygamy is in the air these days. On the HBO drama "Big Love," Bill Paxton plays a man with three wives. The Utah Supreme Court just upheld the state's polygamy ban, so polygamy isn't just on fictional TV, but are any of these portrayals accurate?
In this article, we'll separate fact from propaganda and learn what a cult actually is, see what practices characterize a destructive cult and investigate some of the more notable cult incidents in recent history.
By Julia Layton
Learn about the hardware behind animated tattoos, how they are implanted into the body and explore some of the safety issues associated with animated tattoos.
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The best-selling novel "Memoirs of a Geisha" depicts life as a geisha in Japan in the World War II era. But it is a work of fiction. Find out who and what a geisha is and how they fit into Japanese culture.
By Julia Layton
In this article, we'll explore what makes words into swearwords, why most Americans use them and how society responds to swearing. We'll also look at one of its most fascinating aspects -- the way it affects your brain.
The public debate between Christian creationism and evolution has heated up once again in the United States. Learn about the different forms of Christian creationism and find out what's fueling the controversy.
By Julia Layton
How does intelligent design explain the origins of life? Does it fit the criteria of a scientific theory, or is it religious dogma in a scientific wrapper? In this article, we'll examine intelligent design and the controversy it has generated.
By Julia Layton
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"Pistols at dawn!" The challenge is issued. To turn it down would leave you marked a coward for life. You meet at the chosen spot. You could be severely wounded or killed today. Why is all this happening? Because you made fun of his hat.
Father's Day is an officially sanctioned event in the United States, falling on the third Sunday in June each year. Find some great gift ideas to make dad feel special this year.
With all of the happily married people out there, there's a percentage of people who are not so happy. Divorce rates have risen over the years as laws change to allow for easier breakups. Learn about the types of divorce in this article.
You hear about celebrities having an annulment instead of a divorce. Is one less binding than the other? And what does fraud have to do with annulment?
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Reno is known as the divorce capital because of the "quickie divorce" a couple can get there. What is a quickie divorce and what does it have to do with Reno? Find out in this article.
Are divorces easier to get now than they used to be? What are the types of divorce, the procedures, and what's involved in the final divorce agreement? We'll explore mediation as an alternative to litigation and see what it takes to get a DIY divorce.
If you've ever been in love, you've probably at least considered classifying the feeling as an addiction. And guess what? You're right — it's the same chemical process taking place.
Gone are the days when flirtation and romance were to be found in bars and grocery store produce aisles. Online dating is the much hipper -- and more common -- way to go these days.
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Are you bored with the commercialism of the Christmas holidays? Do you find tinsel distracting? Is there a large aluminum pole collecting dust in your crawlspace? If you answered yes to all of the above then Festivus is for you!
By Matt Hunt
Witchcraft dates back countless centuries, and with all of the mythology floating around, it's hard to decipher fact from fiction. Do witches worship Satan? Do they cast spells? Find out about witchcraft.
The Menorah is a symbol of the Hanukkah holiday. The candles are lit on each day of the holiday. Where did this tradition start and what do the candles represent? Find out the answer in this article.
The holiday of Kwanzaa is a time to honor African traditions. It lasts seven days, uses seven symbols and sets forth seven ideals. How is it celebrated?
By Stephanie Watson
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The legend of the samurai continues to permeate our culture, with countless movies and TV shows dedicated to the subject. How much of what we know about the samurai is truth, and how much is myth? Find out about the strict warrior code of the samurai, the honor system that shaped their lives, the weapons and armor they used and more.
Secretive and silent, the ninja strikes fear into the hearts of peasants and emperors alike. Today, the ninja has become a legendary, cult-like figure, showing up in computer games, children's cartoons and martial-arts action films.