We are in the midst of celebrating Chinese New Year. Actually Chinese New Year is was a week ago however for 14 days, some Chinese actually go out to eat, drink and celebrate. There are those that gamble during this same period of time. I’m Chinese with some Western point of view so I can say this.
Both my SO and I can’t understand why the need to spend, spend, spend during festive season. Traditionally the purpose of Chinese New Year is to celebrate the family “making it” over from the past year. Life was tough during certain times and sometimes family members don’t make it through the year. Some families don’t have enough food or don’t get to eat meat during significant portion of the year so come the new year, eating well is like a bonus.
In modern times, most of us have all the food we want. Even today, instead of not having enough to eat, the problem is the opposite. Most of us are eating way too much. So I don’t see the need to feast during Chinese New Year. Having meals together and spending time with close family members are great. Especially when families are far and it is a good tradition.
What I can’t understand is when people really spend a lot of money to get new clothes (most already buy too much during sales), get special food (Chinese retailers sometimes raise prices and make a killing) and least of all the gambling.
Many Chinese gamble when the generally do not. Many years back, Chinese colleagues gambled during lunch break by flipping pages through a phone book just to see who can get a larger number.
Another point the Chinese are good at is fireworks. So we (some of us anyway who still worship multiple gods) create a warzone like environment by burning fire crackers for several hours. Usually not one family burning fire crackers but a township with different people taking turns to do so. My take? So you want to create some noise. But does it have to be non stop for several hours? That is money going up in smoke literally.
The point I want to make is, many of us do things that are cultural without thinking why we are doing it anymore. Just because it have been done in the past does not mean you still have to do so. I’m not saying we should cut off everything from our culture but I am saying think about them and not simply follow things that don’t make sense.
I’m saying this since I’m Chinese. However, whatever culture or celebration that you do, I’m sure they apply to you. Take Christmas which my family also celebrates.
While the practice of being generous and giving others a gift is great, I think if we “have” to give someone something, then it defeats the purpose. And we all know of the gift that is recycled all round because nobody has a use for it. Perhaps I’m at a point in my life that is no longer define by the things I own and do not really need or want more stuff. But look around. Most children have too much toys, clothes and whatever else.
What we need to learn is to enjoy what we have and not have more things to enjoy life. Think creatively and do something different that don’t require us to own more things. Too many things bogged our lives down rather than make us happy.
