Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, 1. I believe, in an agricultural society, it would be good to have more children. In my opinion, this is also the same in the West. 2. In the past, the mortality rate is also high for new borns. 3. It would be interesting if you can share with us, if you do come across the article on the weather. It sounds interesting. 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, In traditional China, tea is the favoured drink. Coffee, is in my opinion a more recent development. Chinese is famous for the cultivation of tea and some are considered `vintage' or kept for many years. As mentioned above, coffee is more an `import'. If one get a chance to see the various varieties of tea and even tea for `slimming' are available. Popular tea include oolong, jasmine, iron buddha etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Chinese culture holds the belief that sweeping the floor on the first day of the lunar new year brings bad luck. This notion is rooted in the desire to begin the new year on a positive note. Additionally, the significance of avoiding negative remarks is acknowledged, as it aligns with the intention of starting the new year afresh. The celebration of Chinese New Year spans a total of 15 days. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In my opinion, there is some truth in what you had mentioned although it does not have to do with auspicious or inauspiciousness. The reason is because, as many villages and places have abundance of wood (material), it is natural to obtain common and cheap objects (yet strong and sturdy) such as bamboos etc... At the same time, objects especially display stands are usually made of wood as they can easily be carved with intricate designs. Many homes usually display e.g. an elaborate vase with a wooden stand. Few if any of such stands are made of metal. Under the Five Elements concept: Wood destroys or control Earth. Thus, in terms of balance, one would realise …

Dear Anon, Whether `red soil' is considered auspicious or inauspicious has more to do with a person's belief than Feng Shui. Most of us would have guessed that red soil if `wrongly' interpreted could mean that `bad blood' has been spilled on the ground. In Singapore, we previously have a location or hill that has this type of soil. Today, the estate is known as ` Redhill ' which literally means that there was indeed a hill with red soil at this location. Many government housing block flats were built on top of this region. I believe there are no inherent effects for the residents living there. In Feng Shui, a Traditional Master would instead look at the grain of sand on …

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. Most companies in China depending on their origin either has a 5 1/2 or 5 day work week. 2. Usually, the Multi national companies, offer 5 day work week. But some have gone into alternate Saturday offs. 3. It would be interesting to note, prior to China opening up their economies, some Chinese firms or companies have long lunch breaks as long as 2 hours. 4. Where, like the Mexicans, the employees get to sleep during the lunch hours! Usually, this is not often the case in the cities. But in rural China, it is still much the practise. Thus, this would be a culture shock for busy executives who intend to shift their operations to China at one time. 5. A few st…

Dear Anon, 1. You have brought up a very interesting topic. 2. Being born in Asia, I do get to see or `learn' of the various customs and practises of the Chinese, the Indians and the Malays. 3. For the Indians, it is (if I am not wrong) it is usually the bride's side which has to fork out a dowry. This is to compensate the husband's family for `feeding' the wife. 4. For the Chinese, especially modern Chinese, compensation is usually in the form of asking or negotiating with the bride's side on how many wedding (dinner) tables they require. 5. The parent-in-law usually, will also give jewellery or heirloom to the bride. Such as bracelets, etc... This depends on the wealth…

Further to what I mentioned below, this link will show the charm against the Five poisonous animals: http://www.geomancy.net/mypictures/cgi-bin/imagesearch.cgi?search=charm&img=8&cat=all There is also a charm to ward off evil for boys (left picture). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, If one has read the history of China had its fair share of the `opium war' where, foreign countries sell opium to the country. Many people became addicted and became a liability to the nation. This was quite sometime back before the communist took over China. Opium dens were plenty and many people wasted their life. Nowadays, there are still some of such illegal activity but a small percentage. The deterence is that anyone caught selling or courier of the drugs get capital punishment. I believe, China is relatively drug free as t does not have that many mafias that are rampant in Russia. Warmest Regards, Cecil

This article on the use of traditional medicine to combat ageing is interesting... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jen, Please see below:- Such objects normally should be treated as decorative items. However, it it really makes one feel good; then, this can be coined as Man (human) luck and not Feng Shui. Are we so sure that `X' marks the spot is our wealth sector? Be it, fire, metal, wood, earth or water. As mentioned above, perhaps if the above gives one a psychological happiness, or hope, then, it should be classified under Man (human) luck. Usually, we often feel good for a short duration. When there seems to be no result, one fine day, such objects may be `chucked' aside or simply renegated into a display cabinet. Worse still, kept away in the closet. Warmest Regards, Ce…

Thanks Master :-)

1. This is a healthy "fast food" meal. 2. The fillings used is the same used for making the "popiah". 3. Pictures show the "cup" holding the fillings. The pictures shows the "Kueh pai-ti".Usually the Kueh Pai-Ti is garnished with prawns and more.. but the picture shows it isgarnished only with chilli.

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

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This day is also Chinese Valentine’s Day?? (Origin is from Malaysia, Penang)

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.

Chinese Zodiac signs 2018 Malls in Singapore often displays the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs and .. what’s up..for each animal signs Location: Marina Bay Link Mall Lovesigns.net

Dear Anon, I cannot say for the more affluent Chinese living in cities who because of their higher income and purchasing power, are in my opinion just as prone to cancer as anyone else. Here, those living in the city have higher rate of e.g. colon cancer. For those who live in the rural areas, I believe their sensible diet e.g. vegetables, poultry, white meat e.g. fish would contribute to better health. I mentioned in a few messages previously that one `secret tool' is to eat with chopsticks. Here, one is forced to eat or bite smaller chunks of food. Rather than gobble down e.g. munching a hamburger. Therefore, I believe, using chopsticks would be good. But of course, o…

A child gets a haircut at a barbershop in Heifei, Anhui provicne, China yesterday. It is believed to bring luck when one gets a hair-cut during the second day of the second Chinese lunar month, which falls on March 17 this year. (REUTERS)