Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, 1. In Singapore and Malaysia (which are close neigbhours), majority of the time the air is clean. On the government intervention: Most of the industries are highly regulated to ensure that they do not pollute the air or waterways. In Malaysia, `pollution' is isolated to factories or industrial areas. Malaysia is one of the largest rubber producers and if one smell latex before, it is pretty smelly. But the smell is confined to within a small radius within the factory or warehouse. 2. For Malaysia and Singapore, unfortunately because the two countries are close to its neighbour Indonesia, Indonesia is considered the biggest culprit. Its farmers do `slash and bu…

Dear Anon, Yes, I agree with you. It is quite true that the traditional Chinese cuisine does not include turkey. More commonly, the Chinese rear goose, ducks and chickens. Perphaps, the turkey was less well known thus not popular with the Chinese. (My personal guess). I believe, the turkey is less well known and personally, the meat is coarse as compared to those of other smaller birds. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The rationale for some people saying that a dragon chair needs a strong person to sit on are: 1. As we are aware, a dragon is considered the Yang(est) of all Yang elements. This could be the reason why some people say that the chair is meant for `strong' people especially the conotation of a male or masculine person. 2. The other reason is because traditionally Chinese emperors are the only ones that are allowed to either wear dragon emblems or have carvings on their throne with dragons (4 or 5 claw ones). The lesser officials can wear "serpents" which are considered `lesser' dragons. In my opinion, this is not fully correct. As I have seen antique chairs a pai…

Dear Anon, China is a very vast country and as many of the citizens are living in the country side, and agriculture is their stable, they are more inclinded to living a `clean' life. It is only in the cities or areas designated with factories that need more of these control. But, we seldom hear of the need for environmental protection as China is endowed with huge resources. For example, they have huge dams to generate electricity etc... In my opinion, I believe China can be considered a `peaceful' country also. It is more fearful of being exploited by foreigners. If one looks at the history of China, when the Qing Empire was ravaged with `foreigners' out to `exploit' th…

Dear Anon, In the past, arranged marriages are very common. Couples were even paired up as young as 12 years and below. From my personal opinion, I have seen many cases of arranged marriages that are successful. I have yet to see any ended in divorce (so far). Perhaps, because, divorce is a `taboo' and a `shame'. In the past, even if the wife was severely beaten or `ill' treated by (more so by their in-laws) she still patiently `waits' or attends to her husband. Nowadays, as more and more Chinese ladies enter the workforce, are pretty modernized and the divorce rate can match the statistics of any other western countries. More... For the Chinese, usually when the girl ma…

Dear Anon, Check out this link to view the pictures of the God of Wealth (commonly also known as God of Fortune). http://www.geomancy.net/pics/teacups/index.htm For those who are new here, if you have the time, feel free to browse thru the pictures under: http://www.geomancy.net/slideshow/index.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil

"In olden times & even up to the Communist period in China most people have to visit a location away from their home to do toilet business". There is a shared communal shed to perform such a "business or transaction".

Dear Anon, 1. Perhaps is it because the Chinese husbands are afraid of being hen-pecked? *JOKE* 2. In my opinion, this is not true. Many Chinese wifes often buy chickens without emphasis on whether they are hens or roosters. Some even have preference for eating hens than roosters. So, far, not yet. I yet to see a Chinese lady hold up a chicken and look closely at its head or start prodding it's backside to find out if it is a hen or rooster. 3. But I have read that some Chinese chefs are particular about the age of the chickens. I read recently that some Chinese chefs who had opened a famous Chinese eatery servicing `Hainanese chicken' found the chickens not suitable bec…

Dear Anon, One can still generally apply the concept: "If one cannot see it, it no longer becomes a threat." The earlier `issue' was torns on the stalk of rose or the saying goes, "a rose amongst the thorns or a thorn amongst the rose?" Usually, if it is just roses etc.. this would be acceptable. More so if the rose is red. Red is considered an auspicious colour to the Chinese. Thus, there should not be an issue here. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. From what I can understand, when I was young, my house used to have an urn i.e. collecting water and we used to rear turles. 2. I believe their bite can be quite nasty. 3. I have also seen large pools of turles e.g. in a public garden. 4. It is my belief that if they are not properly `fed' may tend to eat fishes. Apologise if what I said may be `silly' or whether, it is the truth... erh.. I am really guessing it could be because of the above reason. If I am wrong, please accept my sincere apologies as I have little knowledge of this. Have anyone any experience in this? Would love to hear from you:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The Willow tree is associated with the Spring season, a season of `sexual desire'. There is a term called "looking for a flower and buying a willow". It is not a complimentary remark. It means visiting a prostitute. Here flower refers to a `girl'. *Joke* Use it on someone (perhaps a Chinese friend) who do not know the meaning:) Willow tree "around a building" also signifies a brothel. So, I hope you can see why, `willow' plants are considered not auspicious. Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. Documentaries showing the wanton slicing of a sharks fin and then throwing the shark back into the sea - is very cruel way to die. 2. Let's try to make an effort to eat less of Sharks Fins. When the buying (eating) stops the selling can. 3. Took this picture; display of a large sharks fin in a restaurant in Singapore, a few days ago.

Dear Anon, Sometimes it is difficult to combine what some of us feel necessary while others may not. Other reasons could also be based on monetary e.g. attract tourism. Another reason is also because of space constraints. In my country, the zoo adopts an open concept i.e. you cannot see any cages (especially for the large animals). Clever use of water holes or canals to prevent animals from escaping. Sometimes because of sensitivity, government officials do not seem to be a participant in Feng Shui. They may for example, call for a discrete FS survey or get advice from a Fortune Teller. But these are usually kept in confidential and hardly released. The logic is that, if …

Dear Anon, Actually, I am referring to present day Chinese `city' children. Because of the one child policy, some of them are very chubby or rather overweight. This is less so in the rural areas. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Crane symbolizes longevity for the Chinese. 2. A picture of a deer symbolizes riches (wealth). It is derived from the phonetic sound that sounds like " good income " or riches. It is quite common to see a picture of a crane and deer combined together. Here, the picture symbolises longevity and riches. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. You will be surprised to learn that smoking is a universal trend and it is very common to see Chinese smoke. 2. In the past, especially with the `poorer' Chinese, smoking is particularly prevalent. 3. Surprising, to this date, I have come across, many `old Chinese' especially males who continue to smoke right up to their 80s. Usually, they die of old age. But, sorry, I cannot confirm if they did die of cancer... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Another popular Chinese delicacy is chicken's feet. This article shares light into this Chinese delicacy which the west considers `worthless' i.e. they are usually thrown away. Warmest Regards Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Nowadays, figurines of " Kuan Kung " are displayed (usually) in the living room. Since most houses have only one living room, perhaps this is why it was mentioned that they be kept `close' to the Fu Lu Shou figurines. It is considered `not auspicious' for such figurines to be kept in the bedroom or even the study room. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Jaw-dropping snap Relax, there's no need to snatch this child out of the jaws of death. She is just lying on a 3-D pavement artwork featuring a shark, while posing for a photograph inside a shopping mall in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on Sunday. PHOTO REUTERS

Dear Anon, 1. Yes, the circular incense is quite huge. 2. There are several sizes available. The `smaller' ones burn for an hour or so. For the larger ones as seen in the picture, they burn around several hours. The time taken to burn depends also on the atmosphere. If it is hung outside and quite windy, it would burn much faster. 3. Usually, the temple guardians burn these candles. As they can be quite smoky, for this temple, it is burned outside the temple. Furthermore, this temple has quite a small and congested interior and not possible to burn so many incense inside the temple. It can become quite `smoky'. Actually, when I wrote the earlier message, I mentioned `lon…