"When in Rome"

While flipping through "Savor the Moment," as I've been known to do, I came across another great section regarding New Year's celebrations entitled "When in Rome." It mentions some interesting and different New Year's customs and traditions in different parts of the world and gives a little history to boot:

When in Rome (pg. 18)
In ancient Rome, the first day of the year honored Janus, the god of gates and doors - endings and beginnings. Revelers in every country have added their own festive customs to this celebration. The English and the Swiss make merry with masks and costumes. Some cultures believe that the New Year should be given physical help, and beat out the old year with sticks and bells. The Chinese celebrate with fireworks. The Austrians and Germans toot in the New Year with trumpets and fanfare. The Dutch invite everybody for an open house. The Scots ring out the old year with strains of Robert Burns' "Auld Lang Syne."

I also particularly love the expression "when in Rome" because it is featured in one of my favorite movies of all time, "Anchorman." My husband and I know this movie by heart, and this is definitely one of our favorite scenes. In the movie, Ron Burgundy's (Will Ferrell) girlfriend, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), uses the phrase "when in Rome," in conversation and Ron is confused because he has no idea what it means.

When in Rome sound bite Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy sound bites

Upon discovering the new phrase, Ron tries unsuccessfully to use the expression and just never quite gets the hang of it. If you haven't seen the movie I highly recommend it for a good chuckle. Hope you are enjoying the New Year so far and have a great weekend - wherever you happen to be!!!

That Expression Doesn't Really Apply sound bite Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy sound bites