A: These days it’s become common practice for eco-friendly couples not to feature rice throwing at their weddings. After all, as the popular theory goes, birds would eat the rice, which would expand in their stomachs and cause them to explode! Obviously, this theory makes perfect sense since all of us see birds exploding pretty much all the time, right?
In reality, rice farmers from Thailand to Arkansas probably wish that rice-eating birds blew up; but to put it simply, they don’t. The fact is, nuptial rice poses no more danger to birds than combining pop rocks and soda does to kids. So how’d this ridiculous theory gain so much momentum anyway? It all started in 1988, when old Ann Landers discouraged readers from the practice of rice throwing.
Of course, the USA Rice Federation -– evidently, a group on top of its game -– immediately debunked Landers’ story. Unfortunately, however, it seems that not many people had read their USA Rice Federation newsletter that week because the information never really got circulated.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
DEAR ANN LANDERS,
Up yours.
--Uncle Ben
2 - Crazzzzy
And to think I wasted all my time throwing hot steamed white rice on the bride and groom. At least I inflected a few second degree burns. Feeding the birds dried rice wanting them to blow up. Hell, that never worked. Fed a squirrel a bag of microwave popping corn once before it was popped. After the stupid squirrel ate it I placed the critter inside the microwave on high for 3 minutes. What a cleanup. Dont recommend that one.
3 - David
I really wish it was true about the birds exploding when they eat rice. That would be a cheap, simple way to get rid of my bird problem. grrr...
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
F*ck the birds! I'd be more concerned with losing an eye or slippin' and breaking my head.
5 - Christopher Rose
Is that problem with your eyes because of all those headbanging years? ;-)