Economic hardship affects Lunar New Year celebrations in China

Taipei, Taiwan –

The Lunar New Year, also called the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival in China, is traditionally celebrated with tables with accumulated food and red envelopes filled with cash for children.

In recent years, the smoke from the outdoor fiery pits has filled the air throughout the morning and afternoon, as people have burned paper money to ensure that even ancestors can feel a financial blessing that the greatest holiday of the year usually brings life.

In recent years, however, Chinese economic slowdown has changed the atmosphere of Chinese New Year. Faced with increasing financial burdens, young people reconsider the long tradition because they welcome the year of snakes, deciding for a more frugal alternative during this year’s eight -day national holiday.

A 30-year-old Shanghai’s legal worker, who did not want to use his name for fear of retaliation, told Voa that the shops that sell little things and stock for the holiday seemed unusually abandoned.

He said that people seem to go to a big purchase, which is mostly manifested in the custom of giving red envelopes filled with money-pain symbolizes happiness and prosperity in the new year.

“As with the goods purchased for the New Year, red envelopes have become simpler and less thick,” said Sangai resident.

Voa said that usually a niece gives an envelope with about $ 140 inside, but plans to give her $ 90 this year.

Talk on social media

Economy frustration is expressed on social media – young people satiate online topics with pictures and comments that describe the pressure and criticisms that will encounter during the holidays.

An account on the ordinance entitled “No Banana Damn” has posted a series of funny pictures with details about the levels of anxiety that young, unmarried and unemployed people will face during the holidays.

“You didn’t make any money, but you still have to give the younger children a red envelope,” the user wrote, in the picture of a woman who gave a little account to the cat.

Many others offer tips to facilitate the fears that the family will inspect them.

“Unique Me” wrote on the Chinese Social Media Platform Weib: “Now the economy is not good, it is good to have only revenue. If you are in a difficult situation, you can admit that you do not do a lot. No need to be generous. Just show your gratitude. Those who They have an opinion of you because of the size of your red envelope, let them have opinions. “

Faced with economic troubles, some local self -government advocates frugality. Baise City, Guangxi, suggested that the amount of money in a red envelope must not exceed $ 3.

The initiative also encourages the younger generation to give their elders “gifts for blessing” with a commemorative importance or emotional value instead of red envelopes.

This move has attracted broad attention, and many social media users have expressed their support for the positive impact of the program on financial and mental health. Some suggested that the blessing of the gift be promoted throughout the country.

Anxiety in the workplace

The size of the red envelopes exchanged in the workplace and increasing indulgence on New Year’s holiday fees were in fear of the uncertainty of work between employees.

“The economic decline is not only reflected on my insignificant salary, but also in the red envelopes that the boss has given every year,” “Life with greed,” he said on Weibou.

User called “Let’s try to be happy” was commented by Weibi: “My company is in the fall. New Year’s gifts are not issued. In previous years, the maximum New Year’s vacation was 20 days, but this year was more than more than more than more than It is more than this year more than this year more than this year it has been more than more than this year a month.

The 39-year-old Dalian worker, who spoke with the VOA for his anonymity for security fears, said that, despite his family and stable business, he would limit his festive consumption.

“We need to reduce some unnecessary costs, such as buying fewer sweets and snacks, and we try to buy simple things outside when worship,” the wife and mother said.

Changes in the Chinese Spring Festival Custom are affected by many factors, but the economy is most important, said Sun Guxiang, a professor at the International Department of Affairs and Business Department at Nanhu University in Taiwan.

“Economic decline has led to the fall of consumption capacity. Young people pay more attention to rational consumption and real needs, which reduces relatively high parts of the traditional customs of the spring festival,” Sun said, adding that family pressure regarding questions that includes work, marriage and education I cannot be neglected as the drivers of this trend.

He said that the future of Chinese New Year would be celebrated greatly on the development of China and whether the country could overcome its current economic decline.