i am invited to a CNY house party ....

[chris_pilgrim]

But more to the point what is troubling you? Share if you like, most if not all of us have been through it... might it be homesickness, just the extreme disconnectedness?

Chin up old bean
Just remember, at any time, you're no more than 12hrs from civilisation ;0

guess a little homesick ..

the locals here are pretty superficial, highly brand conscious and tell me if i'm wrong, materialistic.

the NTUC n Cold Storage near me are rubbish (i miss my local Sainsburys & Waitrose!)

and yes i'm just about 14hrs away from Fulham Broadway (from Heathrow take the Piccadilly Line to Earl's Court change to District Line back home at Chelsea Village) ...

rant over

[chris_pilgrim]

If you like the host, bring a good wine.
If you hate him, bring a Durian.

(Well, opinions might differ here, but I would hesitate to bring a gift that is ugly, dangerous and smells!)

hahaha ... thanks for making me laugh xx

[JR8]

That's ok, Chelsea, Olympia, Earls Court Girl

'The locals are superficial'.... ooh lala, yes, arguably relatively. But making that distinction won't really take one further forward.

Hey chill out, and lets discuss and develop this topic over the next few days eh?

Yah the supermarkets are crap, and/or different. But we have lots of discussion on how to cook and bake, and what ingredients to use,

Start with a nigella's 3x chocolate cake, with some vanilla ice-cream on top. +then for the boys a glass of brandy to accompany it.

[chris_pilgrim]

Start with a nigella's 3x chocolate cake, with some vanilla ice-cream on top. +then for the boys a glass of brandy to accompany it.

ahh... you're a follower of Nigella's recipes .. i'm more of a Ainsley's Ready, Steady, Cook kind of girl

'The locals are superficial'.... ooh lala, yes, arguably relatively. But making that distinction won't really take one further forward.

i might have been slightly hasty ... i shall cut them some slack

[movingtospore]

Why are foreigners expected to understand and participate 'equally' in local customs? Beyond the superficial face being given, does it matter how right or wrong you get it?

For example, if you (i.e. dirty foreigner ) went to a higher end dinner party in England. Would you be studying in advance how to approach the table setting of 4 sets of cutlery and 4 glasses, eh? And the minor etiquettes like never cutting the 'nose' off a block of cheese. Or god forbid passing the port decanter the wrong way around the table? Ladies taking the cue to retire at that stage to another room, leaving the men at the table.

Do you think anyone cares if a foreigner knows and follows such subtle micro-manners stuff? I don't think so, it is a subtle 'way', custom, for those who have been brought up with it. In fact it's assumed you (outsider) won't know it, and a knowing smile is quietly shared when you indeed demonstrate that you don't.

I think one could argue that all the forelock-tugging, and wanting to 'understand and participate in their customs' on precisely the right terms like a local, is actually... well meaning, but ultimately perhaps condescending.

I don't know if I agree with that. I think that making an effort, when genuine, is usually appreciated.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I can tell you one thing, if you can speak Mandarin, even if you make errors, you are given great face. It's not an easy language to learn and they admire anybody who attempts to honestly learn the language. Same with the customs. They are sure you do not understand ALL the nuances of the customs but are usually impressed because you endeavoured to actually make the attempt, failing or not. It goes a long, long way towards bridging the great divide.

[Sergei82]

Is that considering locals speak Mandarin just as bad as they speak English?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes. They don't know they speak bad Mandarin unless they are told by a PRC or Taiwanese.

[JR8]

I don't know if I agree with that. I think that making an effort, when genuine, is usually appreciated.

So what specific Chinese etiquette do you follow?


edit: typo

[zzm9980]

Better a Durian.

smelt durians at Leicester Square (Chinatown) .... eewww ..

sorry but do you like it?

Yes I do, it's extremely good. For one, the durians you'll get in the UK are crap. The best Durians in the world will grow locally here. Second, like Stinky Tofu (臭豆è…

[chris_pilgrim]

Better a Durian.

smelt durians at Leicester Square (Chinatown) .... eewww ..

sorry but do you like it?

Yes I do, it's extremely good. For one, the durians you'll get in the UK are crap. The best Durians in the world will grow locally here. Second, like Stinky Tofu (臭豆è…

[chris_pilgrim]

for the "ang pao" .. which numeral is more auspicious - 6 or 8 - for a Chinese Teochew family?

[earthfriendly]

The number "4" is unlucky as it sounds like "death" in Chinese. "8" is auspicious. I remember the thrill of opening the red packets to be greeted by the smell and feel of the crisp, new notes. Banks will have these uncirculated notes for CNY. Customary to present the red packet with a pair of mandarin oranges. Gifting in even number (companion, pairing) vs odd number (odd one out, alienation) is preferred. You do whatever is comfortable for you. I don't think anyone will hold it against you. After all, it is supposed to be festive, a season of meal sharing, getting along and forgiveness.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lucky-Money-868 ... 3a8a62cb4e

[JR8]

--------------------------------------------------------
'Lucky Money (8686) ($1 Bill - Crisp Uncirculated) Chinese New Year!
Winning bid: US $2.99
Shipping: $16.06 International Priority Shipping
--------------------------------------------------------

Pay $19 for $1 bill, lucky issit? [for whom?]


----------------------------------------------
'You are bidding on the TOP note in this auction! You only get one note, that's the one with the serial number E90008686E.

This bill is a great gift for Chinese New Year as 8686 means I've hit it rich, I've hit it rich!, or I've prospered, I've prospered.
----------------------------------------------

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lucky-Money-868 ... 3a8a62cb4e


Yes indeed you have if you're selling banknotes at 20:1 the value.

[zzm9980]

The number "4" is unlucky as it sounds like "death" in Chinese. "8" is auspicious. I remember the thrill of opening the red packets to be greeted by the smell and feel of the crisp, new notes. Banks will have these uncirculated notes for CNY. Customary to present the red packet with a pair of mandarin oranges. Gifting in even number (companion, pairing) vs odd number (odd one out, alienation) is preferred. You do whatever is comfortable for you. I don't think anyone will hold it against you. After all, it is supposed to be festive, a season of meal sharing, getting along and forgiveness.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lucky-Money-868 ... 3a8a62cb4e

It's a very un-auspicious 40k, but I'll take mine nonetheless.



And no, I don't normally keep this much cash lying around, but had to do a quick transfer yesterday so I took a photo. I wonder if the Citibank teller thought it was for hong baos