Because of the early loss of my mother and the absence of a father, I spent most of my childhood and youth with my grandparents. At a time when the internet or social media couldn’t help with unusual questions and I didn’t question much because of my childish naivety, I thought for a long time that the „Haarziehtag“ was a generally known concept lived by all families. Only through meeting a special person and their insight into our family did I realize how unique this tradition was.
I am sure every family has its own, perhaps somewhat quirky or odd traditions. Especially as a younger person, it’s often hard to tell if these peculiarities are common in other families or something completely individual.
In our family, we had the so-called „Haarziehtag“ – and I have to admit that I love this tradition for many reasons. I don’t know exactly who came up with it. But if I had to guess, I’d say my grandfather was responsible. He would certainly be the first to apply for a patent on it.
The Haarziehtag is our curious custom: everyone in the family has their personal Haarziehtag, and it always falls on the day before their birthday. On this day, all other family members are allowed to pull the almost-birthday-person’s hair as much as they want – and the birthday person cannot defend themselves. Sounds painful? Yes, sometimes it is. But it also has its charm.
The meaning behind this tradition is twofold: on the one hand, the birthday person is teased a bit to dampen the anticipation of their birthday. On the other hand, it’s a loving way to show that the family is thinking about the big day and preparing for it in their own unique way. But be careful – the echo of this tradition is uncertain, because everyone will have their own Haarziehtag eventually.
Today, on December 5th, it’s my big sister’s Haarziehtag. And as Liam Neeson said in one of my absolute favorite movies Taken: “I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you pull your hair as hard as i can.”1 Well, maybe a bit exaggerated for a Haarziehtag, but the thought fits quite well. If you forget someone on this day, it could come back even stronger on your own Haarziehtag.
Traditions like the Haarziehtag are not only quirky rituals; they are also a form of family bonding. They create memories that stay, even when the hair – pulled or not – eventually turns grey and course, I’m more than willing to forget any patent or trademark rights to the Haarziehtag, in the hope that many more families can participate in this wonderful tradition.