As Christmas approaches, bribery seems to be the cornerstone of Yugoslavian family life. A tradition known as Dechiyi Dan or Children's day sees parents tying up their children and not letting them go until they promise to be good. The following Sunday, Materitse or Mother's Day, the children tie up their mother and sing "Mother's Day, Mother's Day, what will you pay to get away?" Mum then has to bribe her children with treats and small gifts to be untied. It's Dad's turn on the following Sunday, Ochichi or Father's day, "Father's Day, Father's Day, what will you pay to get away?" the children sing. However Dad's bribes are generally bigger and more expensive, serving as gifts on Christmas Day. While radical in its practice, bribery is fundamental to giving gifts. Christmas is really just a huge behaviour management technique. No one wants to receive coal, or sticks. (see post no.11)

It's surprising to learn that a choir master of Cologne Cathedral in Germany invented candy canes as a bribe back in the 17th century. The choir master got white sugar sticks specially bent to resemble a shepherd's staff. He gave the sweets out to bribe the children to be quiet during the long church service. Find out more here. http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/candy_canes.htm

When you think about it, aren't corporate gifts a bribe of some sort?

Information on Yugoslavian Christmas bribery from here http://www.ornamentshop.com/xmas_trivia/xmas_traditions.html
here http://www.chiff.com/a/mothers-day-international.htm
and here. http://antiqueshoppefl.com/archives/jsheluk/mothers%20day.htm

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