Developing the China box and taking a brief look at the traditions that exist with in soo many cultures I find fasciating.
Having grown up in relatively strict indian culture I know exactly how cultures become embedded but for me sometimes I just didn’t quiet why we did them . I would ask my elder family members and sometime they didn’t quite know either. However, what is amazing that these customs and tradtions get past down generations and it not always the why is the signifcance but the nostalgia you get doing them.
Take a look at a glance at some of the Chinese traditions
Did you know
It’s a very big deal to be the eldest one similar in my Indian tradition.
There is always enormous respect for the eldest in the room. In China if you are introduced in a room full of people always greet the oldest person first. And this still applied when leaving. We practised this is our household coming from an Indian heritage.
Try this with your kids when you try your next Traveloutsidethebox themed adventure box.
The eldest is always seated first at the table when sitting down to eat and always gets the best seat at the table. Try this one with your kids or does the eldest have prime position anyway. (I am the eldest in my house but not sure I get the best seat) my youngest get the prime position and he is 5!!
There are many traditions around using chop sticks. So careful to unknowingly offend anyone but making the following mistake
Never stick them straight up to your rice , as this is considered bad luck (image)
Do not lick them
Do not use them like drum as tempting as it might be whilst waiting for your food (image)
Do not have them in your hands to make a gesture
Do not cross your chop sticks its considered bad manners and in China represents death in China. Best to keep them in a parallel position in your hand or placed on the table
Discuss with your family how many of these you could easily avoid or have done some of these in the past.
Who would have known any of the above would offend there are mor do and do and don’t to do with Chops sticks when it comes to the Japanese culture , I will have to share those in the next bimonthly subscription box.
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