Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, In the course of this year, will post a history or story of each of the immortals. So look out! Warmest Regards, Cecil

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

Dear Anon, In my opinion, it depends on the person's religion. Thus not all Chinese believe in reincarnation. Because China is so vast, common religion found in the country includes buddhism, arabic (muslims), taoists and even Christianity etc... Thus like any other country, there will always be a mixture of `races' and religions. Which will determine one's view point or outlook. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Chinese women do smoke but they are fewer than males. So far, in my opinion, I personally came across very few if any Chinese women (who had smoked to an elderly age). On the contrast, I know of many Chinese men, who even smoke at the age of 80+ or more. I personally cannot understand why, but in my lifetime, I can recall at least 8 to 10 elderly persons (male) who continue to smoke but yet did not die because of it. I know that some of them smoke quite heavily. Maybe, I may be mistaken but, so far, I know they died of old age i.e. 80 to 90 plus. Perhaps, I am not sure why they did not die from e.g. cancer etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Basically Dragon is Yang and it belongs to the earth element. Earth is one of the strongest elements because it always occurs in between each season. Sorry, I like to elaborate that there are two interpretations of Tiger. Tiger belongs to the wood element. 1. Under the Four Symbolic Animal Concept, One view is that Tiger (any tiger) but particularly a white tiger is considered Yin because it is actually the West cardinal point. (A yin location) 2. A tiger under Chinese Astrology Here, the Tiger is a wood element and under time or two hourly timing it falls under the Yang time of 0300 to 0459 am. It depends on what we are `talking' about. Since, placing a stat…

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. Not all overseas Chinese eat dog meat. Especially the `English' educated or if they are staying in a more affluent country away from China. 2. In Hong Kong, it is still common for Chinese to eat dogs. These dogs are specially breed to be slaughtered unlike pet dogs. If you do go to a Chinese food store, or those that do stock Chinese canned food, it is equally common to find `Rabbit's meat'. To some of us, rabbits are considered pets and no way we want to eat them. 3. Like sharks fins, abalone, some Chinese find it a delicacy to eat dog's meat. There are even some Chinese shows that `suggest' that when these people eat dog's meat, when they go near to dogs…

An interesting article, showcasing some traditions and customs...

Dear Anon, In my personal opinion, these small magnets are the least of our worries (in terms of applying Feng Shui). It is quite common to find even coca cola small magnets or other colorful ones placed on the fridge. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, Typically, in my country, a 'good luck gift' is not exchanged during the first meeting. More significantly, it is essential to meet over 'tea' and engage in a friendly conversation. The key aspect in Eastern culture is to present your business card using both hands, ensuring that your name card is facing the recipient, and to hand it over 'safely' into their hands. This gesture is the most crucial 'gift' that establishes a tone of politeness and 'respect'. Depending on who arranged the meeting, it is generally the individual who initiated it that covers the expenses. Alternatively, in this context, the gift can be interpreted as 'footi…

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

Dear Anon, Yes, in my opinion, quite alot of Chinese doctors, do approach their work in a holistic way. It is also because, the patients are receptive to them and give them lots of respect. In fact, majority of the time, one reason is because, some of these doctors operate their own pharmacy i.e. or medical hall. Here, their clinic is like a pharmacy and if they have the time, would explain or at least answer the questions. In my opinon, we should not say that Western medicine VS Chinese medicine but rather, they can co-exist with each other. In the past, many people have very high respects for Chinese doctors and this respect gives comfort to many who tend to open up to …

Dear Anon, Yes, this is true based on Chinese Astrology, taking into consideration, a person's YEAR Chinese Astrology chart. Reference: http://www.geomancy.net/love/cdragon.htm Under the above link, where possible, pairings `best avoided' is between a dragon and dog:- "A mismatch. There is a serious clash of personalities. The problem is that both have strong characters and unyielding character. There must be compromises and sacrificies but it is hard to relate to each other and there will be no communication between the two and tempers will fly. There will be constant bickering and the relationship may be short-lived." Need to work real hard on the above relationship. Ge…

Dear Anon, Under symbolism, a `live' crab shape is auspicious because, it is alive i.e. vibrant and active. While a dead crab (fried or steamed) ie. turned Red, is already dead or no more `activity.' Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. It should be `charcoal' instead of coal. 2. Usually, this is kept inside a built in cabinet e.g. in the kitchen together with the charocal stove indefinitely. (Especially for at least one year). Warmest Regards, Cecil

I am not too sure about Taiwan and Hong Kong but I believe it is most likely true. In Singapore, previously, one would get a compound fine of e.g. $200/- for a first offender i.e. pay the $200 fine. Just recently, one no longer will be able to get a compound fine but rather, must appear in court. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Contrary to (I believe) popular beliefs, traditional Chinese `sweets' are a modern invention. With more modern life styles, `sweet dishes' abound. But in the past, dinner does not end with `sweet deserts or dishes'. Most popular and well known sweet dishes are the sweet and sour pork. Chinese char siew pow (red sweet meat) filling enclosed in a small round loaf of bread. Traditonally deserts are not common but in more recent times, 8 course or 9 course dinners are served. The last course is usually a desert e.g. sweet yam, logan and almond jelly etc.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, I believe, th Sung dynasty Chinese poetry and painting associates the horse with military greatness. The horse also symbolises courage and strength. The galloping horse represents engery, perserverance and speed. Thus overall, the hourse has many auspicous meanings and thus, featured widely even under the Sung dynasty. In fact, the horse, turned out to originate from the west and brought into China since as early as the Shang Dynasty period. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Vincent, 1. If you have not purchased the painting(S), it is advisable not to place a painting of a water feature in the bedroom (if you can). 2. This is because one `incompatiblity' is because, water positions (real water or symbolic represents Yin elements. Too much water results in too Yin elements). 3. The bedroom is in general, suppose to be more Yin than Yang. (Yin represents rest and Yang activity). 4. Some other FS practitioners would say that too much water i.e. even in paintings especially placed in the room may cause difficulty as too much water itself represents difficulty. 5. This is why, for example, advise is usually not to have a water position at t…

Dear Anon, The best example would be Taiwan. Many Chinese fled to Taiwan from mainland China after the near defeat of Nationalist Army defeat is a good example. For other overseas Chinese, in the past, prior to the Communist rule i.e. many Chinese wanted to seek better pastures overseas. Thus, many Chinese immigrated to neighbouring countries like Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia in the hope of making money. Many Chinese, the poorer ones would make money and remit it to their loved ones in China especially in the 1800s to 1940s. Many Chinese are thus very successful in their adopted country. Majority of them control vast empires of commerce and the wholesale, middlema…

Dear Anon, No, this is not true. China, does have its own commercial airlines. Like in the US, there are domestic, regional and international airlines. A few Chinese commercial airlines have offices in Singapore. In the past, it is quite `scary' to take their domestic flights because of the poor reputation of maintenance. Especially the poor safety. But things have improved today. For international flights, these are generaly safe as they conform to the International safety standards. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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