CNY or LNY?
As much as I’d like to use the politically correct term of Lunar New Year (LNY), I’d still very much prefer the non-PC term of Chinese New Year (CNY) instead. I’m not sure if its widespread usage began this year but as far as I’ve known, I think we’re more accustomed to referring to it as CNY. Obviously, you don’t have to be politically correct all the time.
New Year Preparations
Every year, preparations usually start a week to a month before CNY. The time you need really depends on how consistent you’ve been working for the past year. And then there are new year decorations. As you grow older, you become less bothered with these trivial little things. But it’s these small things that make the difference to the festive atmosphere.
I admit I haven’t been doing much for preparations. I don’t even give much thought to how the place should look, probably because the enthusiasm has eroded with age. I vaguely remember primary school days when we made CNY decorations during arts & craft lessons and took them home to hang for the festive season. I wonder if the kids still do this kinda stuff today.
Reunion Dinner
It’s a tradition for Chinese families to have reunion dinners on CNY eve. But with busy-paced lives, many find it hard to fix a common time to sit down and have a meal together with their families. Reunion dinner gathers the entire family on CNY eve and signifies togetherness. However, in recent years, this tradition is no longer strictly observed as families reschedule their reunion dinners to fit their calendars.
While my family still abides by the traditional date to have reunion dinner, the elaborateness has gone down through the years. Back then, the extended family usually came together to have a homely steamboat dinner on this date, but today, we’ve done away with this practice and instead cater takeaway meals. In fact, as the years go by, it’s starting to resemble an ordinary day dinner.
House Visiting
Fortunately, unlike what I first thought, the custom of house visiting still lives strong and remains an essential part of CNY today. On the first and second day of the new year, it is not unusual to see families deck out in shiny new clothes. Tradition be damned, no longer do you have to be dressed to the nines in shades of red or gold. By today’s standard, you’re free to wear flamboyant green or even the inauspicious black.
In my opinion, the colour taboo doesn’t really apply as long as you’re dressed appropriately and respect the sensitivities of your elders. I do know some people dislike house visiting as they find it a waste of time, but I’d feel that something’s missing if it isn’t done. Besides, I enjoy going to the different houses to nip CNY goodies!
Generation Gap
But sadly as the years go by, the generation gap will continue widening and may just prove to wide to bridge in the future. My Dad’s the eldest of his generation now. It’s not hard to see how events would turn out when he passes on. Unlike many who grew up playing with their cousins, I don’t enjoy such close relations with them. Some I would see a couple times a year, others only once a year on CNY.
This generation gap worries me. Ties might become strained or even severed when the older generations are gone; stories lost forever with time. Indeed, one of my favourite pastime during CNY is going to my relative’s house and hearing the elders catch up on yesteryear.
CNY in Modern Times
However, as cost of living increases and Singaporeans being more career-driven than ever, it is inevitable that more families will become nuclear and give up traditions for practicalities. I’m concerned the spirit of CNY might just one day be lost in modern times, but I truly hope that before it even happens, we can somehow arrest and reverse this trend. Otherwise, CNY will not be what it used to be anymore.