If you have ever spent Christmas in China then you’ll know that it is a rather unique experience. Christmas songs in Chinese, Chinese Santa Clauses, peculiar decorations, and more often than not working on the actual day itself, are just some of the things that make a Chinese style Christmas so special. Am I being sarcastic? No, and here’s why:
Having spent my last two Christmas’ in China I have had some pretty random experiences, each of which, for me, has highlighted the real plight of Christmas, that it’s a time to appreciate the people who are special in your life. Now, ordinarily, those people would be family and close friends, but what happens when you are 1000’s of miles away from them? Of course, you can send them cards or gifts, catch up on the phone or even share Christmas dinner with them via Skype (for those of you with a family that is tech savvy enough). But for most of us this just isn’t enough, which is why I believe something magical happens when you are put in to this situation. Say hello to your substitute family….
In China, the relationships that form between foreigners tend to be very strong. Perhaps because each of us has left something behind we’re all looking for replacements or substitutes to fill a persistent void. Whatever the reason, the outcome is pretty unique. In China, you meet people from all walks of life, some wacky, some introverted, some curious and some just plain strange There are people here you would have never imagined sharing anything in common with, but somehow we all do. We share a bond and for some reason our instincts push us together, particularly during a time like Christmas.
Last Christmas I celebrated with a large group of particularly wacky, introverted and strange people from all over the world and it was great. We didn’t have our families, we didn’t even have a tree, but we had each other.
So, this Christmas look around, take it in and really appreciate the people who are in your life now, the people who make your days better, the people that are there when you need advice and the people who you feel as if you’ve known your whole life. Because after all, that’s what Christmas in China is really about. (But, don’t forget to call your real family!)
Merry Christmas!
Andy.
Want to see more and experience more? please visit: http://www.beingfunchina.com/magazine/the-getgo-vol-14/now!
