Happy Pomlazka Day!
After doing a bit of research, I found that today is the day of the pomlazka. Since you've never heard of that, I'll explain.
Of course, it's all in fun, but I can't imagine what Czech women actually think about it. When traditional Czech clothing was worn, the switches probably couldn't be felt through all the layers of skirts and ruffles, but today with blue jeans, I imagine it can really sting. The woman rewards the boy by tying her own ribbon to the end of the pomlazka. Rewards also include candy or a shot of plum brandy.
I've been told that men enjoy this tradition and visit many women on this day including their aunts, cousins, grandmothers, friends, and, of course, girlfriends. By noon, I'm guessing some men are pretty well sloshed from all the shots that they have consumed.
Czechs must take the tradition pretty seriously, though, because they pass it on to their sons at a rather young age.
Maybe women and girls don't complain about the switches too much because the alternative to using them is dumping water over the girl's head. In Slovakia that is the common tradition. I can't imagine water dumped over my head on an early April morning. BRRR!
I don't think this tradition will ever carry over to other countries, especially America, considering the women's rights issues today.
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