New Year Celebration

Lunar New Year Celebration
Attended my mum's dinner and mother-in-law's dinner reunion over the two days.
One of the lesson learnt is the art of hosting from one who did it perfectly and those who didn't.
The right way for a host is to greet the guest at the door, shake hands, then offer the guest a drink.
When it's time to go back, send the guest off at the door, exchange pleasantries.
When meal is ready, the host invites every individual to the table. In between serve them with drinks.

I observed some less cultured behaviours.
E.g
1. Busy talking to each other and did not send the guests to the door.
2. Not giving ang pow. Don't they know in a Lunar New Year, it is expected of a married person to give ang pow to the unmarried?
3. Not greeting each other "Happy New Year"
4. Not teaching their kids to greet others "Happy New Year"
5. Feeding people's kid without asking for permission. Kids could get choked. Certain food could cause allergies. Have they not heard of the case of a kid who choked and died from eating fishball? It's terrible that people like to put food in my kid's mouth. Food that are bad for her health e.g. sweets; overfeeding her continuously, and food in large portion that can potentially choke her.
6. Miserable present of a little toy (cost less than a $1) for a parent, and a tiny winy bar of chocolate for a kid.
7. Miserable amount of money in the ang pow esp for those who earn more.

I am proud of my elder sister. Although she earns the least in the family with the heaviest financial responsibilities, she gave the most. It shows her love is bigger than she can afford. She will always have a special place in my heart for her generosity and love.

If there's a lesson to be learnt here, always put ourselves in their shoes, and love them as much as you love yourself. Be respectful of other people. If people exhibit ill manners, it reflects poorly on them.

I was passing by the shop next to the bank. It's a Soup stall. I love soup. On a wall was a poster. It said:
"Happiness is not having what you want. It's enjoying what you have".

Beneath the surface of gaieties was a strong undercurrent of sibling rivalries. These show. They don't greet each other. If they do, they give miserable amount of gift or present as a token of their disregard. Or not coming at all cos they were not invited.

I am thankful in my family, that my mum groom us well in family manners, that my brothers and sisters are in harmony with each other, and always ready to help each others when the need arise. Not that we are goody goody. Each other us have our pecular bad habits. We agree to tolerate each other cos we value harmony above all things. The way we turned out in our lives is a result of our parent's style of upbringing. Thank God, we turn out ok.

Unfortunately for our children's generation, it is difficult. They are generally rebellious, refuse to listen the parent, do not want to save money for a rainy day, spend on the latest fashion and gadget like there's no tomorrow, do not want to work, and worse of all, commit acts of crimes.


I am thankful for my own family, that my kids eat their food properly by sitting down and finish the meal while others have difficulties feeding their kids cos they were on the move during meal time. I am thankful that my kids greet everyone. The way kids behave is a reflection of the parent.