Celebrating Holidays In China
I know how much the Chinese love holidays, but when I see the chaos that ensues over Spring Festival it amazes me every time.
The Chinese people make any excuse to celebrate and be happy. This is seen through their gracious celebrations of other countries’ holidays. If there’s a holiday, the Chinese are sure to set aside some time to forget work and be merry. When it comes to their own holidays they pull out all the stops.
As many of you know, or recently discovered, Spring Festival is not just a Single day of celebrations like most holidays. It’s a solid three weeks of craziness! Spring Festival is a time when living in China really puts my patience to the test. I’m excited to celebrate for a day, two days, or maybe even a week for the Chinese New Year. But after a solid week of fireworks exploding directly outside my bedroom window and a constant stream of car alarms going off I get a bit agitated.
The celebrations, and the fireworks really start in full swing on Xiao Nian (small new year), which is a week before the actual New Year. Then there is the 15 days after the New Year that hold different special meanings and, of course, all demand their own special fireworks.
Chinese believe, in a few words, that the more fireworks you set off the more good fortune, luck, and money you will have over the next year. I always try to be culturally sensitive, but it is hard to do when I’m walking down the street and someone releases a sonic boom 5 steps from me, leaves my ear ringing for and hour, and doesn’t think twice about it.