Not Everyone Pulls the Same Pranks
April 1st comes with its fair share of fake headlines, whoopee cushions, and elaborate office pranks—but not every country plays the same way. While the core idea stays the same (fooling someone in good fun), the traditions tied to the day vary quite a bit depending on where you are. Here’s how five different places put their own spin on April Fools’.
France – Poisson d’Avril (April Fish)
In France, April 1st is all about fish—but not the kind you eat. Kids (and some playful adults) try to secretly tape paper fish to someone’s back, then wait to see how long it takes for the “victim” to notice. Once caught, the prankster shouts “Poisson d’Avril!” It’s goofy, harmless, and strangely enduring, with bakeries even selling fish-shaped sweets to mark the occasion.
Scotland – Two Days of Trickery
Scotland doesn’t just stop at one day of mischief. Traditionally, April 1st was known as “Hunt-the-Gowk Day” (a gowk is a foolish person). The next day? Tailie Day, where people stuck signs or items on others’ backs—kind of like a more rogue version of France’s fish prank. Think “Kick Me” signs and other low-effort, high-payoff jokes.
Iran – Sizdah Bedar (Nature Day)
Here’s a curveball: Iran’s version of April Fools’ comes from Sizdah Bedar, celebrated on the 13th day of Nowruz (the Persian New Year), which usually lands around April 1st or 2nd. It’s a day for picnics, family gatherings…and practical jokes. This might actually be one of the earliest April Fools’-like traditions, dating back centuries. Jokes are shared in a more community-based, celebratory way—less pranking coworkers, more laughing with your cousins.
Brazil – Dia da Mentira (Day of the Lie)
In Brazil, April 1st is Dia da Mentira, which translates to “Day of the Lie.” It’s not just a day for jokes—some people take it as a chance to test how gullible others are, especially in the media. Some smaller news outlets have been known to publish fake stories just to see how far they’ll spread. (Kind of makes you second guess every headline you see that day.)
India – Hilarious Hoaxes with a Bollywood Twist
While April Fools’ isn’t a traditional Indian holiday, it’s definitely celebrated—especially in cities and among younger crowds. What makes it unique is the flair: think over-the-top setups, playful callouts, and sometimes even prank videos that go viral across WhatsApp and Instagram. Local humor and pop culture references are often woven in—especially anything Bollywood-related.
Final Thought
Pranks might be universal, but how they’re played says a lot about culture. Some use April 1st as a day for clever jokes and satire, others keep it simple and silly. Either way, the best April Fools’ traditions are the ones that get a laugh without going too far—which is a reminder we could probably all use once a year.
