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Wet Monday, or Śmigus-dyngus, is a custom of pouring water on each other on Easter Monday. In this way, the Slavs have been celebrating the joy associated with the departure of winter and the arrival of spring for centuries. In the past, cold water was poured mainly on young maidens, because it was believed that it promotes fertility and this custom was popular mainly in villages. Today, on a wet Monday, water is poured over everyone, not only in villages, but also in large cities.
Wet Monday – better be careful in cities
In the countryside, this fun was not and is not as risky as in larger cities. Residents of villages or small towns, pouring water around their homes, are always able to quickly take shelter and dry themselves. In a bigger city, when you pour water on someone on the street, you can’t be sure that this person lives nearby. She might have to travel a long way home to change into dry clothes. By the way, of course, it will freeze. And the upcoming Easter will probably not be the warmest.
Every year, the police remind you to maintain moderation and common sense. Sometimes good fun turns into hooligan pranks. Some get carried away by fantasy and create dangerous situations. These include, for example, pouring water on passing cars, which can scare the driver and significantly reduce his visibility. It is equally dangerous to drop balloons or bags filled with water from a great height (viaduct, balcony) on people passing by the building.
Śmigus-dyngus (illustration photo) photo. Grzegorz Celejewski / Agencja Wyborcza.pl / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
Wet Monday – a fine for pouring water?
Irresponsible fun on a lazy Monday is punishable by a fine. Pouring water on someone may be an offense subject to various penal provisions from the Code of Petty Offenses (e.g. disturbing peace and public order, indecent prank, causing danger by throwing objects and pouring liquids. For pouring water on passers-by, you can be fined up to PLN 500. If someone, in turn, comes up with the idea of pouring water into a flat, staircase, car or public transport, may also be fined PLN 500. The same for pouring water on a cyclist or a passing car. It is also worth being aware that pouring water on others may result in destruction of their property, e.g. clothes, mobile phone (Article 288 § 1 of the Penal Code)
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
