Festivals in an agricultural society coincide with the change in the seasons. After a bumper harvest in autumn and the Winter Solstice, people begin to feel increasingly excited about ushering in the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, as the weather gets colder.
In a modern economy, the number of public holidays declared for a festival is an indication of its importance. In Taiwan, which is predominantly a Chinese society, traditional events like Qingming, Dragon Boat and Mooncake Festivals all come with rest days and bonuses, allowing people to engage in activities to celebrate them.
For Chinese New Year - the most important festival, Taiwanese get four off days straight, starting from the eve of the Chinese New Year season. The stretch of holidays is in fact longer if the weekends before and after are included. Some people also clear their accumulated off days during this time.
Indeed, for Taiwanese, it is only after celebrating the birthday of the “Ruler of Heaven” on the 9th day and the Lantern Festival on the 15th day that Chinese New Year festivities are considered over.
When I migrated here from Taiwan in 1997, it also meant a shorter break for Chinese New Year. To me, two days of public holidays are simply not enough - this is the biggest difference between Chinese New Year here and in Taiwan.
Age is also a factor. Compared to childhood days, Chinese New Year seems to have become less fun and exciting as one grows older. I had spent a few years in London with my husband after we got married. We were both busy with our studies and had little money then. If not for those telephone greetings from home, we might not even have remembered Chinese New Year.
One year, we decided to use Chinese New Year to improve relationships with our professor, a Westerner. We picked up the skill of making the skin for boiled dumplings from fellow students from mainland China and bought expensive live prawns and vegetables from Chinatown to prepare steamboat. We even learnt by heart English terms on Chinese New Year customs in anticipation of questions from him！ The preparations that we went through made it the happiest and most memorable Chinese New Year we had in London.
After settling here, the endless sound of bursting firecrackers on Chinese New Year's Eve has been replaced by the non-stop ringing of IDD calls. As soon as the reunion dinners at my elder brother and in-laws' place are over, I cannot wait to head home to call relatives and friends in Taiwan to exchange greetings.
Fortunately, IDD rates have fallen sharply with the liberalisation of the telecommunications market. I consider this the best “hongbao” from the Singapore government for foreigners who have moved here.
On our first Chinese New Year here, though I had to work on the second day of the festive season, I managed to persuade my husband to take me to the Istana, which is open to the public only on important holidays, early in the morning. We were surprised that the most people in the queue spoke Mandarin with a heavy Beijing accent.
To dampen my enthusiasm, my husband said jokingly： “Didn't I tell you that only foreign 'suakus' （country bumpkins） will be attracted to the Istana and Chinatown. Singaporeans will not be caught dead at these places！”
Well, I did not mind looking like a “suaku” because I was curious about Singapore - and I went on to try Yusheng and join the crowds at “Singapore River Hongbao” and “Chingay”。
I am now a proud mother of a two-year-old girl who indicates her wish to “l(fā)ook pretty ” by pointing at the wardrobe. I intend to carry on this fine tradition of having a fun-filled Chinese New Year. Instead of the usual “Good Morning” greeting when she wakes up, I have been saying “Gongxi Gongxi” to her in folded hands. With such intensive drill, I am confident collecting hongbaos will be a piece of cake.
Besides, to make sure she grows up with fond memories of Chinese New Year, I plan to involve her in spring-cleaning, making delicacies, growing narcissus and writing couplets. The reunion dinner must be a spread and we must observe important customs such as visiting my parents on the second day of Chinese New Year as well as visiting relatives and friends……the list goes on.
This is why I say just two days of public holidays are not enough. Sigh！
（The writer is an Executive Sub-editor of Lianhe Zaobao. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
外來客過年
江靜芳
農(nóng)業(yè)社會的節(jié)慶是跟著大自然的季節(jié)走,收割了秋獲的金黃稻谷,在日短夜長的冬至吃過湯圓,隨著天氣越冷,期待過年的氛圍就越熱烈。
生活在現(xiàn)代工商業(yè)社會,節(jié)慶的重要性是依放假天數(shù)而定。在華人為主的臺灣社會,傳統(tǒng)節(jié)慶如清明節(jié)、端午節(jié)及中秋節(jié),都有假期及花紅可拿,過節(jié)時便也有錢有閑忙些應(yīng)景活動（或掃墓、或賽龍舟、或賞月）。
遇到農(nóng)歷新年這種大節(jié)慶,更是正正當當?shù)貜某Ψ诺匠跞?再加上前后周末加補假,臺灣人過年非要拜過初九的天公生、逛完十五的元宵燈市才算落幕。
自97年移居新加坡后,短短兩天的農(nóng)歷年假老讓人意猶未盡,這是我覺得跟臺灣過年強烈的差別。
除了假期長短,過年的心情受年紀影響也不小。隨著年齡的增長,童年時由春節(jié)帶來的興奮喜悅不知不覺地消褪,結(jié)婚后曾隨在倫敦求學的丈夫在英國生活數(shù)年,兩人都是忙于課業(yè)的窮留學生,如果不是家人來電賀年,根本忘記今夕何夕。
有一年決定借中國年跟洋老板（指導(dǎo)教授啦）打好關(guān)系,我們早早跟來自中國大陸的同學學習搟水餃皮的技術(shù),還狠心到中國城采買昂貴的活蝦及茼蒿菜下火鍋,為了怕被洋教授考倒,事先也背誦了許多關(guān)于年俗的英語詞匯,如此大張旗鼓的仗陣,至今成為我們在倫敦溫暖而難忘的春節(jié)回憶。
定居新加坡后,除夕晚徹夜的鞭炮聲被不絕于耳的國際電話鈴聲取代,除夕夜在大哥家與丈夫的家人吃過團圓飯后,我便記掛著要回家跟臺灣的親友打電話,無論打出去或打進來的電話,開頭都是恭喜恭喜的吉祥話連串。
還好隨著去年電信市場的開放,國際電話費率大降,這真是新加坡政府送給我們這些外來客貼心的紅包。
來新加坡的第一個農(nóng)歷年,雖然初二就要回報社上班,但我還是要求丈夫一大早陪我去參觀難得開放的總統(tǒng)府,結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)前前后后跟著排隊的游客都操著一口純正的“京片子”。
丈夫不忘潑冷水說：“早告訴你,只有你們這種外國‘山龜’才會到總統(tǒng)府、牛車水擠熱鬧,正宗新加坡人是不會來的?！?BR> 其實被視為“山龜”（新加坡人對鄉(xiāng)巴佬的稱呼）我還挺得意,至少這表示我對新加坡尚未失去探索的新鮮感,所以撈魚生、“春到河畔”或“妝藝大*”等本地新春活動,我立志一樣也不要錯過。
除了外國山龜,升級為媽媽的身分,也督促我要努力維持熱鬧過年的優(yōu)良美德。今年女兒已長成會指著衣柜堅持要穿“美美”的兩歲小娃娃,近她一睜開眼睛,我就將平日元氣十足的“早安”問候語換成兩手抱拳的“恭喜恭喜”,經(jīng)此密集訓練,相信這個可愛的娃娃必能成為超級的“紅包搖錢樹”。
此外為了讓她擁有兒時美好的新年回憶,我還計劃帶著她全家內(nèi)外大掃除、做糕餅、養(yǎng)水仙、寫春聯(lián),年夜飯除了全雞全魚,還要準備水餃、梅干扣肉、長年菜上桌,守歲時要輸光壓歲錢或再贏回一倍,要穿新衣新鞋四處拜年,要看超過三部賀歲片或一整套日劇,初二回娘家的習俗當然也不能漏掉……話講回來,這樣一路“過”下來,短短的兩天年假,還真是不夠用！
In a modern economy, the number of public holidays declared for a festival is an indication of its importance. In Taiwan, which is predominantly a Chinese society, traditional events like Qingming, Dragon Boat and Mooncake Festivals all come with rest days and bonuses, allowing people to engage in activities to celebrate them.
For Chinese New Year - the most important festival, Taiwanese get four off days straight, starting from the eve of the Chinese New Year season. The stretch of holidays is in fact longer if the weekends before and after are included. Some people also clear their accumulated off days during this time.
Indeed, for Taiwanese, it is only after celebrating the birthday of the “Ruler of Heaven” on the 9th day and the Lantern Festival on the 15th day that Chinese New Year festivities are considered over.
When I migrated here from Taiwan in 1997, it also meant a shorter break for Chinese New Year. To me, two days of public holidays are simply not enough - this is the biggest difference between Chinese New Year here and in Taiwan.
Age is also a factor. Compared to childhood days, Chinese New Year seems to have become less fun and exciting as one grows older. I had spent a few years in London with my husband after we got married. We were both busy with our studies and had little money then. If not for those telephone greetings from home, we might not even have remembered Chinese New Year.
One year, we decided to use Chinese New Year to improve relationships with our professor, a Westerner. We picked up the skill of making the skin for boiled dumplings from fellow students from mainland China and bought expensive live prawns and vegetables from Chinatown to prepare steamboat. We even learnt by heart English terms on Chinese New Year customs in anticipation of questions from him！ The preparations that we went through made it the happiest and most memorable Chinese New Year we had in London.
After settling here, the endless sound of bursting firecrackers on Chinese New Year's Eve has been replaced by the non-stop ringing of IDD calls. As soon as the reunion dinners at my elder brother and in-laws' place are over, I cannot wait to head home to call relatives and friends in Taiwan to exchange greetings.
Fortunately, IDD rates have fallen sharply with the liberalisation of the telecommunications market. I consider this the best “hongbao” from the Singapore government for foreigners who have moved here.
On our first Chinese New Year here, though I had to work on the second day of the festive season, I managed to persuade my husband to take me to the Istana, which is open to the public only on important holidays, early in the morning. We were surprised that the most people in the queue spoke Mandarin with a heavy Beijing accent.
To dampen my enthusiasm, my husband said jokingly： “Didn't I tell you that only foreign 'suakus' （country bumpkins） will be attracted to the Istana and Chinatown. Singaporeans will not be caught dead at these places！”
Well, I did not mind looking like a “suaku” because I was curious about Singapore - and I went on to try Yusheng and join the crowds at “Singapore River Hongbao” and “Chingay”。
I am now a proud mother of a two-year-old girl who indicates her wish to “l(fā)ook pretty ” by pointing at the wardrobe. I intend to carry on this fine tradition of having a fun-filled Chinese New Year. Instead of the usual “Good Morning” greeting when she wakes up, I have been saying “Gongxi Gongxi” to her in folded hands. With such intensive drill, I am confident collecting hongbaos will be a piece of cake.
Besides, to make sure she grows up with fond memories of Chinese New Year, I plan to involve her in spring-cleaning, making delicacies, growing narcissus and writing couplets. The reunion dinner must be a spread and we must observe important customs such as visiting my parents on the second day of Chinese New Year as well as visiting relatives and friends……the list goes on.
This is why I say just two days of public holidays are not enough. Sigh！
（The writer is an Executive Sub-editor of Lianhe Zaobao. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
外來客過年
江靜芳
農(nóng)業(yè)社會的節(jié)慶是跟著大自然的季節(jié)走,收割了秋獲的金黃稻谷,在日短夜長的冬至吃過湯圓,隨著天氣越冷,期待過年的氛圍就越熱烈。
生活在現(xiàn)代工商業(yè)社會,節(jié)慶的重要性是依放假天數(shù)而定。在華人為主的臺灣社會,傳統(tǒng)節(jié)慶如清明節(jié)、端午節(jié)及中秋節(jié),都有假期及花紅可拿,過節(jié)時便也有錢有閑忙些應(yīng)景活動（或掃墓、或賽龍舟、或賞月）。
遇到農(nóng)歷新年這種大節(jié)慶,更是正正當當?shù)貜某Ψ诺匠跞?再加上前后周末加補假,臺灣人過年非要拜過初九的天公生、逛完十五的元宵燈市才算落幕。
自97年移居新加坡后,短短兩天的農(nóng)歷年假老讓人意猶未盡,這是我覺得跟臺灣過年強烈的差別。
除了假期長短,過年的心情受年紀影響也不小。隨著年齡的增長,童年時由春節(jié)帶來的興奮喜悅不知不覺地消褪,結(jié)婚后曾隨在倫敦求學的丈夫在英國生活數(shù)年,兩人都是忙于課業(yè)的窮留學生,如果不是家人來電賀年,根本忘記今夕何夕。
有一年決定借中國年跟洋老板（指導(dǎo)教授啦）打好關(guān)系,我們早早跟來自中國大陸的同學學習搟水餃皮的技術(shù),還狠心到中國城采買昂貴的活蝦及茼蒿菜下火鍋,為了怕被洋教授考倒,事先也背誦了許多關(guān)于年俗的英語詞匯,如此大張旗鼓的仗陣,至今成為我們在倫敦溫暖而難忘的春節(jié)回憶。
定居新加坡后,除夕晚徹夜的鞭炮聲被不絕于耳的國際電話鈴聲取代,除夕夜在大哥家與丈夫的家人吃過團圓飯后,我便記掛著要回家跟臺灣的親友打電話,無論打出去或打進來的電話,開頭都是恭喜恭喜的吉祥話連串。
還好隨著去年電信市場的開放,國際電話費率大降,這真是新加坡政府送給我們這些外來客貼心的紅包。
來新加坡的第一個農(nóng)歷年,雖然初二就要回報社上班,但我還是要求丈夫一大早陪我去參觀難得開放的總統(tǒng)府,結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn)前前后后跟著排隊的游客都操著一口純正的“京片子”。
丈夫不忘潑冷水說：“早告訴你,只有你們這種外國‘山龜’才會到總統(tǒng)府、牛車水擠熱鬧,正宗新加坡人是不會來的?！?BR> 其實被視為“山龜”（新加坡人對鄉(xiāng)巴佬的稱呼）我還挺得意,至少這表示我對新加坡尚未失去探索的新鮮感,所以撈魚生、“春到河畔”或“妝藝大*”等本地新春活動,我立志一樣也不要錯過。
除了外國山龜,升級為媽媽的身分,也督促我要努力維持熱鬧過年的優(yōu)良美德。今年女兒已長成會指著衣柜堅持要穿“美美”的兩歲小娃娃,近她一睜開眼睛,我就將平日元氣十足的“早安”問候語換成兩手抱拳的“恭喜恭喜”,經(jīng)此密集訓練,相信這個可愛的娃娃必能成為超級的“紅包搖錢樹”。
此外為了讓她擁有兒時美好的新年回憶,我還計劃帶著她全家內(nèi)外大掃除、做糕餅、養(yǎng)水仙、寫春聯(lián),年夜飯除了全雞全魚,還要準備水餃、梅干扣肉、長年菜上桌,守歲時要輸光壓歲錢或再贏回一倍,要穿新衣新鞋四處拜年,要看超過三部賀歲片或一整套日劇,初二回娘家的習俗當然也不能漏掉……話講回來,這樣一路“過”下來,短短的兩天年假,還真是不夠用！