Lunar New Year Celebration

Time flies and once again, its the time of the year when Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and perhaps some other East Asian races which we are not aware of celebrate the start of their new year ahead. Being the most important festival in the Chinese calendar, Lunar New Year is probably the most extravagant and widely-celebrated occasion among the Chinese even in our local context.

First of all, being the most suspicious among all other races in Singapore, most Chinese would be curious to find out how they would be doing in the upcoming year ahead. Every year, the TV programme shown on our local channel 8 on Lunar New Year eve never fails to broadcast the zodiac forecast by one of our local grand master. Personally, I feel that we should take such zodiac forecast as a pinch of salt. From my past experience, while the zodiac forecast are not entirely untrue, there are often variations among those from different masters. In fact, every master would tell you that their zodiac forecast which are published are very generalised and there are detailed forecast (often available upon payment) based on one's birth date and timing. If you are curious to find out your zodiac forecast for 2015, visit https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2015+Zodiac+Forecast+by+Grand+Master+Tan+Khoon+Yong+

As a preparation for the Lunar New Year, spring cleaning must be done to keep the house in clean and tidy mode to usher in the new year and to welcome guests. The next task is to buy goodies such as sweets, drinks and snacks which are getting increasingly expensive over the years. Some people also insist on buying new clothes to wear for the new year.

The reunion dinner which is "mandatory" for everyone (except for those stuck overseas or on essential duties) can be pretty costly due to the sumptuous dishes which Chinese believe in eating would associated with being wealthy. These days, many of us are too lazy to prepare reunion dinner that we have reunion dinner outside. Such reunion dinners at hotel, restaurants or coffee shops are not only costly but also get fully booked so quickly that usually people place their booking at least a month ahead.

Finally when the Lunar New Year day arrives, everyone will be visiting family, relatives, friends and colleagues. Distribution of red packet either from married adult to unmarried children or adults to their elderly parents would occur. Perhaps this is the best occasion to chit-chat to catch up with friends and relatives due to the fact that these days most of us are so busy that we meet our relatives once a year. Besides chit-chatting, another favourite past-time among local during Lunar New Year is to play mahjong or card game which often have higher stakes.

When I was young, Lunar New Year was no doubt the most enjoyable festival in the entire year due to the massive celebration and generous amount of money spent. However, as I grow older, Lunar New Year seem to become less meaningful to me due to the following reasons.

Stressful Reunion Dinner
Preparation of reunion dinner is a hassle and eating reunion dinner outside on Lunar New Year eve is way too costly for the similar amount and quality of food you get on non-festive season. Worse of all, the huge crowd present on that day means a drop in service standards and there is also limited time for diners to consume their dinner as the service staff need to prepare for the next batch of diners. Due to the overwhelming workload, there is also high risk of getting contaminated food as the service staff preparing the food tend to compromise on hygiene under stressful conditions. This also applies to buffet catering services.

Disruptive Public Holidays
As early as Lunar New Year eve, some shops and food stores remained closed from noon time onwards till the second or third day of Lunar New Year. Some Chinese-oriented businesses even remained closed up to a week to usher in the new year which I feel is not appropriate for our city as a key financial hub. I have even heard of some of such companies mandating their employees to consume their annual leaves during this Lunar New Year period instead of granting off-days. As such, people of all races need to buy and stock up groceries before Lunar New Year. Even when food stores are open during this period, the prices are ridiculously expensive (at least 2 or 3 times more costly than usual), not to mention the quality and quantity will not be as good either. Alternatively, one can choose to consume fast food instead which is available at the same price and quantity but must be prepared to face huge crowd and longer waiting time.

Awkward Red Packet Culture
As a young kid, it was perfectly fine to receive red packets as a token of blessing from the elderly during Lunar New Year. However, when one is already earning his/her own income but still unmarried, it is awkward to receive red packets containing money. In fact, I never support this practice and would recommend it to be improvised instead. I have never liked the idea of receiving red packets especially as a birthday gift as it seems insincere due to the lack of the "surprise element" compared to presents. While it does make sense to continue distributing red packets containing money to young kids who are still studying, it would be more appropriate to replace money with chocolates or goodies for red packets given to working adults. Receiving money in red packets for me may seem to be an insult although the intent is never meant to be.

Curiosity & Comparative  - A Major Turn Off
It's part of Chinese culture to be curious, to gossip and compare. When meeting relatives during Lunar New Year visits, most of them would ask tons of questions which is pretty normal but to the extend of intruding one's privacy would be a huge turn off. When one is single, most commonly asked question from relatives is whether you have a partner. When you have a partner, they will ask when you are getting married. When they are married, they ask when you are going to have kids. When you have kids, they will ask which school you are enrolling your kids for and if they are studying, they will ask how well your kids are doing in exams. When your kids are working, they will ask how much your kids are earning and when they are getting married. The viscous cycle goes on. The comparative nature of some relatives is really an arrogant and disrespectful act which we should never follow.

Instead of following the same routine each year, perhaps we should think out of the box and plan for a more enjoyable Lunar New Year. Having BBQ for reunion dinner may be an interesting idea as it encourages bonding which is the primary objective. Alternatively, the idea for everyone to embark on a short cruise trip during Lunar New Year saves the hassle of going around for house visits and includes a complementary reunion dinner which is worth considering.

Regardless of whether you are celebrating or enjoying Lunar New Year, I wish you a happy, prosperous and smooth-sailing year of the Goat ahead!

Valentine's Day

Once again, Valentine's Day is round the corner. On this day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world but how many of us know how Valentine's Day originated? Well, the origin of Valentine's Day is not exactly known but it was believed to have originated during the Roman empire when all Romans are forbidden to worship Christianity or associate themselves with Christians. However, that did not prevent a humble Christian, Valentinus from practicing his belief. He was later arrested and imprisoned. During the time when Valentinus was in jail, the jailer was impressed with him as a man of learning and requested to bring his daughter, Julia who was blind since birth to him for lessons. Valentinus agreed and taught Julia Rome's history, described the world of nature to her and told her about God. Julia saw her world through Valentinus's eyes and found comfort in his quiet strength. Valentinus was executed on February 14 and before his death, he wrote the last note to Julia, with his signature "From your Valentine". Grateful for his love, Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.

Besides the almond tree, another modern symbol of love is represented by "love lock" or rather padlock which couples lock to a bridge, fence, gate, or similar public fixture to symbolise their love. Typically, the couples' names or initials are inscribed on the padlock and the key is thrown away to symbolise unbreakable love. This is a growing trend worldwide especially in European cities (particular in Paris where there are 2 love lock bridges) which the municipal authorities treat as vandalism and possibly littering (throwing of the padlock key into river). If you are stuck with ideas of Valentine's Day gift for your loved one, why not consider buying a "love lock" with both your names or initials inscribed? The "love lock" could be placed on the gate of your house door or office cubicle instead of public places. This is a simple and yet meaningful idea and best of all, does not burn a hole in your pocket.