When you think about it, Groundhog Day is a bizarre holiday. Every February 2nd, Americans put their fate in the hands—or paws, rather—of a groundhog and wait with bated breath to find out whether we'll have six more weeks of winter or an early spring. People nationwide travel hundreds of miles to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see a mammal as if he's the messiah form of Al Roker. And you know what? The little guy, aptly named Punxsutawney Phil, is usually wrong.
With his inaccurate results, plenty of Americans struggle to understand why we celebrate Groundhog Day. But the stateside confusion is nothing compared to how foreigners feel. Seeing as other countries (save for Canada) don't celebrate Groundhog Day, you can only imagine how odd this tradition seems to those abroad. Well, you're about to find out. Here are some of the most hilarious things that foreigners have had to say about Groundhog Day.
1 | Do you really believe that "the weather is controlled by large, indecisive rodents"?
"Groundhog Day is important, I am told, because most Americans believe that the weather is controlled by large, indecisive rodents." - @WernerTwertzog
2 | Like, you'll trust a rodent's weather analysis, but deny climate change?
"Groundhog Day: America accepts weather analysis from a rodent, but denies science of climate change." - @carlsonreports
3 | I mean, "it's a scientific fact" that springs begins on March 21st.
"I really don't understand why Americans celebrate Groundhog Day. It's a scientific fact that spring starts on 21st March." - @49streetlarry
4 | This holiday is "crazier than a bag of drunk snakes."
Shutterstock"Groundhog Day: Further proof that Americans are, in general, crazier than a bag of drunk snakes." - @rynbtmn
5 | Is someone going to eat "that poor beaver"?!
Cast Of Thousands/Shutterstock"That man is about to eat that poor beaver and all those people are there to take pictures of it because American TV is weird like that." - Maggie
6 | C'mon, it's just that one town that celebrates Groundhog Day, right?
"Do Americans actually care about Groundhog Day, or is it just that one town?" - @Howling_Snail
7 | Is a party really necessary?
"Americans, please help. My department is having a 'Groundhog Day' party. What is that and why does it need to be celebrated? I am utterly confused. Please help" - @carambalache
8 | Are you saying that it exists outside of that Bill Murray movie?
"I found out about it from that one movie, though didn't know it was a real thing." - @Foervraengd
9 | I hope Google can explain this one to me.
"Despite the fact that nobody outside of the North Americans celebrate Groundhog Day, I literally had to Google what it was." - @Fabi_Photos
10 | This holiday is just bloody confusing.
Shutterstock"Someone explain Groundhog Day to me, I'm so bloody confused." - @AbdeeAmir
11 | Wow, "even CNN covers it"?!
Shutterstock"[What] is up with Groundhog Day? Americans take it so seriously.... even CNN covers it!" - @flamingtortugas
12 | Well, that "sounds arbitrary."
Shutterstock"Someone explain Groundhog Day to me? Seeing it on my timeline but not sure I understand it." - @cupcakemummy
"They watch a groundhog coming out of its burrow—if it stays out spring is here, if it goes back in winter continues." - @phaezen
"Sounds arbitrary." - @cupcakemummy
13 | I'll understand this holiday when you grasp Cinco de Mayo.
Shutterstock"I will never understand why Americans celebrate 'Groundhog Day' [but] they still don't get what 'Cinco de Mayo' really is about." - @HolaRojas
14 | "Americans are strange people."
"Just found out how Groundhog Day works..... yeah, Americans are strange people" - @Michiel_nijsten
15 | "Still laughing" about Groundhog Day.
"Still laughing at the holiday Americans celebrate - Groundhog Day." - @CruellaLaville
11 | "Enjoy your traditional fried groundhog!"
"Good morning. It is ... Groundhog Day in America. U.S. clients, enjoy your traditional fried groundhog!" - @LIFECOACHERS
And to learn more about the things we say that confuse others, check out the 30 American Sayings That Leave Foreigners Totally Puzzled.
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