4/17/2006: Venezuelan coin biter

A previous IotD featured kids trying to bite coins out of a melon in Indonesia, so I was interested to see this shot of a young one in Venezuela doing pretty mcuh the same thing (minus the oil that coats the Indonesian melon).

You hope the coins are cleaned before being put in the fruit, and you hope the kids' dental plans are paid up before they go doing this.

It is now spotted in these two different cultures, but sitting here in North America, I've never even heard of it before.

I think this is their interpretation of a pinata.

I think ommiting the oil was a good move. Money is the fruit of all evil?

Is that a mango?

I'm not sure I like the idea of that. "Come take a risk at breaking your teeth for 25 cents, yay!"

Is the point to consume the coin?

Do you get extra points if you can make change?

Wonder if all the coins are the same denomination?
If they're stolen coins they'd be taking a bite out of crime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AureliusVin I'm not sure I like the idea of that. "Come take a risk at breaking your teeth for 25 cents, yay!"

gawd - you all sound like a bunch of parents!

you are going to put your eye out with that!

It's a bit like the halloween tradition of having to try to bite scones dripping in treacle while they are hanging from a string (very common in Scotland)
generally gets very messy.
then there is ducking for apples...

does anyone know if this is done at a particular time of year or just any time?

Ha! Not in this house!

This reminds me of the halloween tradition in the US where you slip razor blades into an apple and give it to a kid for trick or treat. Great fun! Everyone loves that trick.

I am very disappointed. I had hoped to see someone biting coins in half.

When we are bored at work we cut dimes in half with EMT shears.