Zhang Zhaohong: April is still the time for New Year greetings (picture)

Zhang Zhaohong: April is still the time for New Year greetings (picture) The cultural customs of overseas Chinese are sometimes very different from the folk customs of the motherland. For example, the spring banquet of overseas Chinese communities is often...

The cultural customs of overseas Chinese are sometimes very different from the folk customs of the motherland. For example, the spring banquet of overseas Chinese communities often starts after the Spring Festival and is not completed until April. The happy and lively ones are in line with the old saying, "If you are determined, don't be afraid of being late, April is the time to pay New Year's greetings." The Spring Banquet is an emotional connection between overseas Chinese groups and clansmen. Relatives and friends are usually busy with their own affairs. It is often "a year of not seeing each other but a year of seeing each other." Being able to greet and wish each other at the Spring Banquet is a kind of care and a kind of fate. I often hear people say, so-and-so came to the Spring Banquet last year, but will you come this year? The Spring Banquet seems ordinary and simple. It is just about eating, chatting, free and unrestrained, shaking each other's hands and making a smile. It is certainly a happy time. If you can draw a lucky prize at the Spring Banquet, or get a medal or scholarship, it will be even happier. Who would have thought that this kind of casual and unostentatious gathering could be the most original and effective activity to maintain the friendship between overseas Chinese? If there is a year when the overseas Chinese community does not hold a spring banquet, let me ask the old overseas Chinese in Huanghuang City, what is going on this spring? Do you still want to go through it? The overseas Chinese group's spring banquet often sends invitations 20 days in advance. New and old overseas Chinese have to arrange the time to attend. If they want to cross the state or province, they have to book air tickets and bus dates in advance, and then dress up at the designated time and attend on time. Some elderly people usually don't go out much. When the spring banquet comes, they have to bother their children and grandchildren to drive or accompany them to the banquet. When everyone meets, they will hold hands and say angrily: "How happy!" I see my old friend again, he’s dozens of years old. We see him once and for all, so take care of yourself! ?. If a group from a higher level comes to attend the spring banquet, it is a huge matter of honor. They often have to publish a newspaper in advance to express their welcome. An She will be picked up and cleaned at the airport. At the banquet, An She will be the most conspicuous person. He respectfully invites the leader to express his opinion, and then everyone clapped their hands, and they will also publish a newspaper to thank them afterwards, etc. Although there are many etiquette and rules, they are not careless at all. The actual operation of the Spring Banquet usually starts with gongs and lion dances, and then the newly appointed chairman of the overseas Chinese association delivers a speech. After some words of congratulations on the new year, it often turns to the traditional zodiac culture. For example, in the "Year of the Ox", it will start with Writing an article on the subject of "cow", saying all the good things about "cow", for example, saying "cow" turns things around, the stock market is still at a low, but talking about "bullishness", it is really not surprising. For example, in the Year of the Rabbit, people would say, "I wish you all the best to raise your eyebrows and "vomit" your profits, etc." Sometimes there are exceptions. For example, if you encounter a "Snake" or "Rat" year, you can't say any good compliments, so you have to do everything you can to "get it together". You must be able to connect some auspicious words to liven up the atmosphere and make everyone present happy. After the chairman finished speaking, he went to the distinguished guests to speak. After all the speeches were finished, if there was an award ceremony, awards would be given or scholarships would be given out. If there were entertainment programs, singing and dancing would begin. Everyone was hungry, and then the party began. Usually the dishes at the spring banquet will not differ much from the first to the last. However, after a few months, the waist circumference has increased by one or two inches. Are you willing to die or do you want to do nothing? Often I don’t care about so much. If you want to introduce guests, it would be a bit awkward. Firstly, you are afraid of mispronounced the "official title" of the distinguished guest, and secondly, you are afraid of missing the overseas Chinese leaders who are attending the meeting, and you have to arrange them according to their ranking. If there are any errors or omissions, please make them up one by one. Even though the introduced overseas Chinese leaders are very familiar to everyone, they still have to stand up and bow in salute. Sometimes the leaders are from the same group, but they meet at different overseas Chinese group spring banquets, and they have to be introduced to everyone ten or eight times, bowing and waving again and again. Of course, everyone would applaud again and again to express their congratulations. The climax of the banquet is often the lottery. Most of the gifts are daily necessities, and most of them are useless. However, everyone still happily pins the winning numbers. Being able to draw a prize in the spring of the year means that it has been successful this year. Of course, it is worth being happy! At the end of the banquet, the staff of the overseas Chinese group had to be introduced, and then they all raised their glasses to bless everyone. Some of the overseas Chinese groups also prayed. After the program was over, relatives and friends shook hands again one by one, cherished each other, and told them to see each other again next year. Once all these big and small things are done and done, the Spring Banquet will be considered complete. The spring banquets of overseas Chinese groups in Huanghuang City became popular after the establishment of the Overseas Chinese Federation. In the past, most spring banquets of overseas Chinese groups were held alternately at "Huamei Restaurant" and "Liukfook Restaurant". In recent years, banquets have also been held in different restaurants. Although the spring banquets of overseas Chinese communities held every year are similar, each group also has its own characteristics, forming a rich and colorful overseas Chinese community culture.