Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, Like all other races, celebrations depends very much on the `class' of a person. Such as the lower-income, the middle-income, the rich and the very rich. Unfortuantely it is a fact that each `class' has its ability to celebrate weddings differently. some middle class may resort to borrowing to come to the same level of the rich etc... Although we do not like to bring the subject of `class', this would affect the scope of celebrations. 1. In the past, many Chinese weddings are conducted as a group wedding. This is cheaper due to economies of scale and widely practised there. 2. Overseas Chinese prefer: 2.1. If they are Chinese Christians, may hold their weddings…

Dear Anon, Like Russia of the past, China, pay equal emphasis on sports and sports participation even in the Olympics. I believe the strongest sport I can immediately think of is table tennis. This is easily their best area. Plus volleyball etc.. In the last decade or two, they have also excelled in badminton, competition diving and even swimming to name a few. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Attached please find a sample page (month) of a typical Calendar, found in most Chinese homes. This calendar, is useful because, it has the `western' calendar, holidays and more importantly, the Lunar calendar date. Very often, the elderly Chinese are more acustomed to their birthdates in Chinese. For example, if one's birthday is on the 15th day, of the 4th Lunar month. He/She checks on the Mandarin wordings. It is cross referenced to the English date i.e. 18 May 2000. It so happens that it takes the moon to revolve one full cycle, and if one peers into the sky, in the evening on every 15th day, you will see a full moon. It so happens that the 15th day of the 4th Lunar M…

Please read attached article.

Take a look at this unique architectural marvel. It was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, some 1,400 years ago.

Chop sticks vs the Western Fork and Spoon Chop sticks force one to take small portions of food into the mouth... this is the mother of all secret weapon of "eating less"... Dear cecil, Since chinese people give so much importance to health and longevity and live to a ripe old age. Does that mean there is lack of deadly diseases among chinese people. Thanks.

Check out this caricature... http://forum.geomancy.net/phpforum/article.php?bid=2&fid=29&mid=6020&new= As mentioned in one of the past forum messages.. the phonetic sound of shoes is considered inauspicious for the Chinese. Much like it is considered inauspicious to give another Chinese a clock or bell. This is purely based on Customs and beliefs...

Dear Anon, 1. From my personal understanding, it is because of the thorns on stalk rose. 2. It would be different if there are no thorns on the rose. 3. Thus, it is more a belief that what can be worse than to give someone thorns. 4. On this same subject (Chinese belief), it is considered inauspicious to present your Chinese friend with either a CLOCK or give her a pair of shoes, also. So for those who are giving `home warming' gifts, avoid Para 4. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi! One must remember that Chinese cuisine is very ancient and most ingredients in Chinese diet are well established through historical precedent. Both Tomato and Potato were only added to the European diet since Christopher Columbus brought them back from the "New World" As Cecil has put it, the need for potato is not there in the Chinese diet. India, conversely has absorbed both these two "New" items completely into her cuisine. Interestingly enough Chinese cuisine has embraced the use of capsicum (peppers & chilli - not black or white pepper)types of vegetables totally. The capsicum vegetables also came from the "New World" as did corn(maize) and Tobacco. Robert …

Dear Anon, 1. The Chinese are very particular about phonetics or `sound like.. '. 2. For example, the Chinese dialect group: Cantonese, do not like number 4 because, to them it is `die'. 3. While number 8 to that is `Fatt' or prospher. 4. Unfortunately, the Chinese phonetic meaning for butterfly implies a person in his seventies. Which means `old age' or about to die. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The moon is important to the Chinese: 1. If we look carefully, it is the `second' half of the Yin and Yang "symbol". Where the moon represents Yin and the sun Yang. 2. Often in the past, when I was young my mum will say, the 15th day of Lunar month and out of curiosity, I would at the evening peer in the sky and true enough, it is the full moon. Thus, sometimes, when I do not `refer' to the Chinese calendar, one could easily tell when the 15th day of an " X month " roughly is. 3. Again, you are correct to say that the Chinese give a `lot of significance to the moon'. As many members have heard how often the word " Lunar Calendar " has been uttered. 4. The " Lun…

Dear Anon, 1. Please find pictures of a `small version' of the Chinese Abacus:- 2. The above is a small, abacus. There are larger ones. 3. Usually, they are made of wood. 4. What is the Chinese Abacus? It is a calculator. Where beads are moved up and down and by feel and looking at the beads, complex calculations are made. 6. An expert abacus user can easily calculate numbers faster than one can key in to a modern liquid display calculator. 7. Generally, one can say that the movement of the beads like the computer `bits' and `bytes' i.e. On and off system. 8. In fact, Singapore, introduced the abacus to the schools and this enable students to `fair' better at mathemat…

Dear Anon, 1. During the cultural revolution or the peak of communism, most of the movies, have a story line and a `morale' of the story. Yeah, this type of shows are more to inculcate, patrotism, communism and `achievement' for the country. 2. In the late 70s, there are some good shows directed by Chinese Directors which had won an award at the Cannes festival.e.g like the Red chamber etc... which relates a story about prostitution etc... 3. In the 90s, many films are shot in China. For example, many of the `period dramas' e.g. sword fighting by Singapore broadcasting Statutory board, shot several films in scenic parts of China. Many Hong Kong directors also direct film…

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

Dear Anon, 1. In my opinion, this may not be necessary true. (If we only look at the `western violin'). 2. The Chinese have many different `wind instruments' and in my opinion, the violin is more a `western' instruments. There are `Chinese violins' and need not be in the shape of the western violin or the material used. The Chinese also have a keyboard type wind instrument `Qin' with many strings and they use their fingers to play on. Much like a guitar but flat and more strings parallel to each other. Others include `Pipa' instruments. There are quite alot of CDs on music played on these instruments. Others include, instruments with snake skins and animaal hairs (strings…

Dear Anon, Attached please find a recent article on the use of handphones and internet in Mainland China.

Dear Anon, 1. China do have libraries, especially those in schools and universities. 2. Chinese literate and books are cheap and many. Usually, the books use cheaper quality paper. Books include romance, fairly tales, literature etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Thus, when one is born, he/she is already 1 year old! In olden days, even now, we still consider ourselves + 1 to our birthday. But due to government reports and Identity cards etc... we have to show our true age (western age). No, this is not true. We are proud to celebrate birthdays. Especially of the elderly. For the elderly, special dishes especially in the restaurant include: 1. "Long noodles". Noodles that are long (uncut) as long as possible to signify longevity. 2. Peach shaped loaves of bread. It is common to find this bread served for an elder's birthday. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear cecil, Can you tell us what each figurine is holding since we cant tell by looking at the picture and also what is the significance of different poses. Thanks.

Dear Anon, Yes, the foundation of Chinese belief is to take care of their elders. It is also due to `Confucianism' or teachings on respect for the elders. Thus `filial piety' is prevalent in Chinese society. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Chinese food can be classified under Yin or Yang. This can even be further classified into one of the five elements based on taste. Generally, Yin foods are `softer' such as through boiling, steaming etc... Yang foods are fried etc... Chinese food especially in the rural areas are often preserved. For example, lettuce or cabbage is preserved for winter time. As food cannot be kept for too long without spoilage. Thus Chinese do have lots of preserved food such as Chinese susage, pork etc.... But this is not much a choice as food is scarce especially in the country side. This does not mean that they eat `preserved' food all the time. Only during the cold seasons…

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, 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, You will be surprised to learn that there are equal amounts of Chinese women priests. These priests (depending on their denomination) some wear greyish or `pastel sky blue' clothings. They have their own temples and live a life of celebracy similiar to (the Catholics: Fathers and Sisters). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The official Chinese site is: http://english.china.com/cdc/en/travel/0,1020,0,00.html Yes, tourists are allowed to visit China. In fact, China which has a 5,000 year culture is worth the visit if one is `young'. This is because, it is more advantages to visit China on `two feet' (or legs) than on a wheel chair as walking is part of the `thrill'. The only major complaint is the toilet facilites or `lack of it'. If one is interested one can visit Guilin, the beautiful landscapes where the Shapes and Form Feng Shui was said to have originated. There are many many more cultural and historical sites available... Warmest Regards, Cecil