The traditional Chinese New Year (CNY) festive season last for 15 days and the greetings are suppose to last for half the month. But it is only the eighth day of the Chinese New Year but it seems that the festive season is over within the first 2 days. I guess this has a big part to do with the government allocating only 2 days of holiday to this festive season. We start getting influenced by our government telling us that we only have 2 days for the CNY and we tend to do all the necessary things over these 2 days (like going to relatives house or even going to temples to pray). We will then have the mindset that CNY celebration only lasts for 2 days and we all have to get back to work or school after that. As time gradually pass, this mindset will become a part of our culture and perception that we Singaporeans Chinese celebrate CNY for 2 days only unlike the traditional Chinese.
I still remember that my perception of CNY when i was young – it will be a fun day where I get to wear new clothings, receive hongbaos from my relatives and spend the day eating all the goodies and playing with my cousins. But my perception of this yearly festive season starts to change as i grow older, this could be due to the different elements that influence my selection of information about CNY. The holiday becomes more of a chore as i need to help my mum prepare all the necessary stuff for the big day (like the cleaning up of the house, shopping for food to prepare on the day, helping my younger siblings buy new clothings and many more). I did not have to do any of this when i was a kid, but i guess this is just part and parcel of growing up. You have the obligation to help your parents when you are old enough to help them. Besides, the CNY celebration gets more stale every year with the same relatives asking you the same old questions every year. When you are younger, they will ask about your studies, then it is about your relationship then about your working life. And if at a certain age you are not married or attached, they become even more worried and start asking when you will get married. Aside from the questions, you will just glue yourself to the television majority of the time unless you have something else to do (which might be gambling; which is only allowed for the young kids during this time)
As the younger generation start the trend of “escaping CNY”, more and more young couples choose to go on a holiday during this time of the year. This is so that they can avoid giving out the hongbaos. But it is really a traditional festive season that have lasted for decades and decades and it is only right that we as Chinese make a point to celebrate it. If not the CNY will only be deem as just another holiday and not be given any importance which is what CNY feels to me now. My perception of CNY now is that it is just a holiday for me to rest and see some relatives that i did not see for the last year. I guess that new trends and experiences can really change and influence one’s perception.
Hello Eileen, CNY is a festival that will affect us for more than 15days. From the preparation around a month ahead, where we will shop for clothes, decorations, sweets, bakuas, flowers etc till the very last day (15th), we are very affected by all these. Going to Chinese restaurants this period and you will find the usual menu hidden and the only menu available is the CNY sets which cost a bomb. Although after the first few days, not necessary 2 days as it was 4 days this year, it becomes a bit quiet, the atmosphere is actually still around. There will be CNY dinners, more mahjong games with friends, visiting to friend’s house for more angpaos and also take time off to check out places you haven’t been to.
I felt that your perspective is a bit too pessimistic. Try to look further and be more open to perspectives. I believe more people are enjoying these entire festive period rather than just the 2days you mentioned.
Comment by jesmund7 — February 15, 2008 @ 6:18 am
Hello! i feel that as time passes, our society is becoming more modernized and we tend to break away from the traditional rituals of CNY. I have a feeling that in the future generations to come, we might not even bother to bring two mandarin oranges to our relatives’ houses for visiting. However, i’m glad that it is still in us now. We still have our annual reunion dinners, visiting and the giving of red packets as a form of greeting. As Chinese, i guess it is essential for us to put in effort to keep the tradition going.
From the way you described your CNY, you sound as though you didn’t seem to enjoy it very much. Maybe you could tell yourself that this is one of the rare opportunities where you can see your relatives again. No matter what, kinship plays an important role in our lives. (:
Comment by thefoodlovingsunshineme — February 18, 2008 @ 10:30 am