Friday, February 26, 2021

GIVING ON “CHAP GOH MEI,”

 15th day of the Lunar New Year and the last day for festivity. 
Today is "Chap Goh Mei."
In the past, girls at marriageable ages were not allowed out. Girls just stayed home and learnt how to be good WIVES! “Good Lord, thank you I was born in the 20th century.”


  But stories tell that, on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, girls dressed in their finest to visit temples and hence also to attract suitors. 

The boys “hung” around to “cuci mata” (wash their eyes) and if a fine maiden catches their fancy, a matchmaker was enlisted to do the rest. No need for dating apps like Tindle or CMB (Coffee Meets Bagel).     Thus, this 15th day is also Chinese Valentine’s Day and on this day of giving, Savvy K went out and bought a whole load of food with her 

“ang pow” money. She wanted to give to the car wash people at the Shell station near our home. When we were at Snow Wash last month,we noticed that the staff actually had very little to eat. One just opened a pack of rice from home, poured some water into the rice and then scooped some curry on top. That was his lunch. 







We were very sad to see this. Thus, we have sort of “adopted” them and have been 

giving food and groceries to them on a regular basis. 
I am happy 
Savvy K has learnt about giving back to the community.
A tradition still practised today by unmarried Chinese girls is the throwing of oranges 🍊 into rivers for good husbands. Some gals even write their handphone numbers. 
I will truthfully admit I have thrown a many oranges  on EVERY "Chap Goh Mei" for years. 
GOOD ORANGES 🍊 = GOOD HUSBANDS, Believe it or not!
Look what I got - Good Ole' Gizmo Man!

10 comments:

  1. happy cap gomeh 😍, i'm interested in culture bout unmarried Chinese girls that they are still throwing of oranges into rivers for good husbands. Very unique

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    Replies
    1. Yes, young ladies are still throwing oranges into rivers for good husbands on Chap Goh Mei. Traditions should be followed to keep a culture alive, even if it may be a myth.

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  2. What a wonderful way to celebrate the day - and I love that you and Savvy K are offering community support.
    Tossing oranges (with or without phone numbers) is new to me - but makes me smile.

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    Replies
    1. Before Covid-19, Chinese clans even organised get-togethers around lakes to celebrate this Valentine's Day.

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  3. Didn't know about young girls and suitors.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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    Replies
    1. Good oranges thrown = Good future husbands 🙄!

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  4. Bom dia, parabéns pela matéria, aprendi bastante com tudo o que você nos trouxe hoje. Bom final de semana.

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  5. Ha ha ha .... I laugh to read you thank you for being born in the 20th century :D.
    But it's also true that I can't imagine girls always being in the house to train to be a good wife ..., it must be very saturated.

    Happy celebrating Cap Go Meh, friend. Hopefully this year will bring a lot of good luck to all of us.
    By the way the food photo looks really delicious.

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  6. so there is also the term "cuci mata" wkwkwk I think it only exists in Indonesia

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