Fun fact: Lunar New Year holidays mark the world’s largest annual human migration, with hundreds of millions of Chinese cross-crossing the country to reunite with families back in their hometowns.
Counting down to three days until the Lunar New Year celebration! I’m very excited and look forward to this celebration as it is a time of joy, family gatherings, and endless good wishes. And I’m sure you are too.
Also known as the Spring Festival, you will see a myriad of activities taking place in shopping malls and morning markets. Lion dances, dragon dances, temple fairs, flower market shopping, and New Year decoration fairs are just a few of these rich and colorful activities.
For this upcoming festival, you might notice that people around you, especially the elderly, will start giving advice on what to do and what not to do; from New Year beliefs, taboos, and traditions to food, drinks, and costumes.
Typically, during this celebration, these are some popular beliefs and taboos we often hear of:
- Staying up late on New Year’s Eve is said to bring longevity to one’s parents.
- Turning on all the lights in the house is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
- Avoid sweeping the floor on the first day of the New Year to prevent sweeping away good luck.
- Avoid touching sharp items like scissors and knives as that can ruin your fortune.
- Avoid washing hair on the first day of the new year as that might wash away your good luck.
- Avoid eating porridge as that might bring poverty.
The list of taboos goes on and on. While some of these taboos and beliefs are easy to follow, what’s important during the New Year is your verbal and non-verbal communication. Nobody wants to hear words with negative meanings during the New Year period, so knowing what to say becomes essential whether you are visiting relatives, friends, or colleagues.
This can either make or break your New Year experience.
To ensure you celebrate a joyful New Year, here are some communication tips to help you celebrate Chinese New Year with grace and warmth:
1. Learn Common Greetings
Whether you are Malay, Indian, or a Chinese, it is time to learn and pick up some common Chinese New Year greetings. These simple phrases will definitely make your New Year much more memorable.
Just this week alone, I have already taught my peers some common greetings which you can never go wrong with. In fact, you will earn some brownie points when sharing positive wishes and blessings with your loved ones. Here are a few:
- 恭喜发财 (Gōng xǐ fā cái) — Wishing you prosperity
- 万事如意 (Wànshì rúyì) — May all your wishes come true
- 平安健康 (Píng’ān jiànkāng) — Peace and health
- 财源广进 (Cáiyuán guǎng jìn) — May wealth and treasures come your way
And if you think the above greetings are a bit difficult to remember, you can always go with this, and everyone will love you — HENG AH, ONG AH, and HUAT AH..
2. Be Sincere and Warm
A warm smile and sincere tone go a long way in conveying your good wishes. Make sure to greet everyone with genuine joy and enthusiasm. Take this opportunity to catch up with friends and family. After all, this is the time when everyone gathers.
3. Use Appropriate Body Language
In Chinese culture, body language plays a crucial role. Here are some tips:
- Bowing: Bow slightly when greeting elders or in formal settings.
- Hand Gestures: Clasp one hand over the other fist in front of your chest to convey respect. Use this gesture when conveying greetings to your friends and family too.
- Handshakes: In modern or business settings, handshakes are a polite way to exchange greetings, especially with someone you just met.
4. Respect Personal Boundaries
Chinese culture tends to be reserved about physical contact. While we live in a modern era, avoid greeting with a warm hug unless this is what you have been doing with your family members and friends. Stick to traditional gestures like bowing and handshakes, and avoid hugging.
With all that said, understanding cultural significance is important and will help you understand why auspicious words are expressed during this period and why certain customs are followed, such as wearing red on the New Year. By knowing this, you’re not only spreading positive energy but also respecting and embracing Chinese cultural values.
By putting all these tips at your fingertips, you are ready for this Lunar New Year celebration. And with that, I wish all of you a joyful and prosperous Chinese New Year filled with warmth and good fortune!
Xin Nian Kuai Le and Gong Hei Fatt Choy!!
