In Hungarian tradition, Women are considered flowers, who will wither without the yearly proper sprinkling; in the old times, people used to believe in the cleaning and fertility effect of the water. Men politely ask the women if they can sprinkle them in the form of a “sprinkle poem”, and if they get a yes, they pour the bucket of water on them. It’s even more fun if the water is cold, and girls are screaming. Younger girls often have a friendly competition on who gets the most sprinklers.
The payment that the men get for the sprinkling is painted eggs -which woman prepare for days before Easter-, candy. Men are also offered beverages at almost every house, so it’s not uncommon to get drunk as the day goes by. It’s a shame if a girl is not ready when the first sprinklers arrive, and it is also a shame if she doesn’t have enough painted eggs for her visitors.
Nowadays women wear casual clothes for this occasion, and men sprinkle perfume/cologne or water in women’s hair.
So if you know any Hungarian women, you can politely reach out to her and recite a poem and sprinkle water or perfume. How do I know it? My wife is Hungarian and I love doing this. It falls on Easter Monday.
Here is one Poem -
I’m waiting patiently in front of your door,
Painted eggs are what I’m asking for,
They better be big and they better be red,
Or I’m taking away your iPhone instead!
Cheers!
Harmit