The beautiful thing about the unusual facts is that they open a new perspective on the issue, initiate questions, and become a template for many great future stories.
Every place, country, or nation has particular and unusual habits that are hardly conceivable to anyone except them. Signaling while staying in the roundabout for Croatians is equally unusual as drinking tea with milk or knocking your head affirmatively while signaling the opposite. These are the habits we try to discover whether we are travelers, readers, writers, or simply - lovers of good, interesting, or funny facts.
But let’s get back to the incredible minds of the Croatian national climate. There is the most unusual phenomenon that appears only in Croatia and on the territory of ex-Yugoslavia. There are no records of it outside the mentioned area, except among people of Croatian nationality living outside of the country. According to this, it seems it is connected with genetic predispositions, as only the chosen people can feel its effect and consequences. This phenomenon is propuh. It derives from the verb propúhati and means a) to purify something by blowing and b) to expose someone to the wind.
We will focus on the latter. For Croatians, exposing yourself to the wind, in this case, means causing health problems. Every middle age or older Croatian knows very well that sitting in the middle of the room with two oppositely open windows, or any other openings, can get you cold. And not only that, but it can also cause many problems, from pain in the neck to headache or even head inflammation. It is also well known that propuh is responsible for broken health even in the summer months. During high temperatures, people enjoy the wind and the refreshing airflow. People do not think about propuh as a threat and get cold. Luckily, all moms, grandmoms, neighbors, people we know, and those we never met will always remember to close the window or warn you to move from propuh. They will also point out that even if we get used to this terrible phenomenon, it can still catch up in older days. It is important to remember that propuh is always somewhere around and can surprise you at any moment. For example, after washing your hair and walking across the apartment while windows are open or cooling down after training. Or even worse, cooling down in propuh with your undershirt still wet. These are all situations where propuh can become your enemy - as the only air you need after those activities is the one from the hair dryer and the heater.
The bottom of the story is that you should never expose the head, neck, and back, especially your lower back and feet to the cold. Also, it is important to acknowledge its existence. If you are not sure propuh is real, or you don't understand what is all about, make sure you act respectfully towards old knowledge and wisdom - move, close the window, and say something like: “Oh, yes, feeling it. Thank you.”
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The southern part of Croatia and Dalmatia is known for winds and their effect on men’s state of mind. One of the local’s favorites is bura, a northern wind that clears the air, sky, and mind. Going out to get clear by bura wind is a must, but once you’re back home, make sure there’s nothing like wind passing through the house. You don’t have to understand it - just accept it.
Cultural differences and habits create entities that tell a lot about the nation. Croatians are known as open and communicative, but also as very traditional and protective. As much as we praise freedom, we appreciate protection and security - for ourselves and others. And this is why, if you don’t notice you stand in propuh, someone will remind you already :)
