meh. CNY (AKA: free money festival) is happier.
Ah, yes, the only major holiday where you literally give money. Chinese culture and the obsession with money is strong within my family. A little too materialistic to be honest.
Thinking back, when I was small, the number one aspect of Chinese New Year was the money. Everything else came secondary, even though I didn't even spend money (spending even half a yuan back then was crazy for me. In my family, everyone is taught to save save save save save money, as much as you can). I wish the environment taught me to actually enjoy my time with people instead, rather than going time will pass by faster so I can go into my room and count how much money everyone gave me. It's like my personal value in other people's eyes is based on how much they gave me compared to my cousins. When my parents were small, they will kneel/bow and smash their heads on the ground. The harder they smash their heads/life the sound, the MOT money they get for their efforts. The idea is that you really show respect to your elders, even at the expense your own sufferings, but let's be real, that stuff comes secondary; it's all for the money. I imagine the impact on self esteem if the person doesn't get as much money as they thought they would in return.
If I really respect someone, I'll run to them and give them a firm hug, and I definitely won't feel terrible it they don't pay me for it. Free hugs anyone?
(>^-^)>
If i ever have kids, I'll never follow this tradition of giving money. We will go out and eat, watch movies, share stories, build stuff, maybe even get drunk if the kid is old enough, but I will never let them base their expectations on how to celebrate a new start on how much money they get.
Oh, and it's only happy when you are young. Now that I think back, I wonder how it must be for my parents and grandparents to prepare money for all those far relatives who they barely even met. I don't even know any of my mother's 5 sisters or their crazy large families with kids. Must be a pain to keep track of all the money you need to give out to others.
Happy New Years everyone~
I'm sure by now, everyone on the planet has reached the new year, except for this poor friend:
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)
As with every year, I'll be ranting about random stuff, as I'm always sick at this time of the year and I am a terrible pessimistic person that need to reflect and complain about all the issues I've had, just to serve my own selfish needs as it's all about me, so feel free to ignore me~
If not and you still read my stupid long posts, cheers and have a wonderful year. ♥
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I wanna have a poutine now...
ლ(´ڡ`ლ)
