The Chinese Lunar New Year has just passed in the part of the world where I currently reside. This is the longest holiday in the Chinese calendar and a time for families to reunite and exchange gifts (lai see in Cantonese). It is an extremely confusing time for a gweillo (white ghost) ex-pat person, as the rules about to whom you should give lai see are a bit hard to understand. One puts even numbered money into little red envelopes (packets) and hands them to relatives and people who provide you with services. It's like an annual tip and the giving of the lai see is accompanied by wishes of good health, happiness and prosperity for the forthcoming year. I believe they should only be given to unmarried persons, although some say I should give to all people in my office and in my apartment block who seem to be asking for it. Then, I am told if they are married, I should only give to the children of such married person. If in doubt I say, just hand them out to everyone, except peers and superiors!
It is an optimistic time of year for all, I guess not dissimilar to the Western Christmas and New year. Although many westerners I know, especially of protestant / Presbyterian denomination are consumed with Dickensian bleakness at the festive time of year. Humbug to them I say!
We have good reason to be optimistic in these parts as the Chinese economoy (if you trust the figures) is still growing at almost double digit pace, while the nations that surround it are also showing signs of solid growth. Except Japan that is. At least this week it should be quiet in work.
It is the year of the Tiger. I wonder what that means, especially for Tigers? Not sure how good it will be for one Tiger, as last I heard he was still in self-imposed exile after his extra-marital affairs came to light..... Now I wonder what Chinese zodiac signs Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington are....
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