Showing posts with label Tradition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tradition. Show all posts

24 May 2012

Why Chinese like to squat?


If you have been to China before, I am sure you would see lots of Chinese squatting anytime, anywhere.

You may be puzzled, confused or intrigued to know why we like to squat, but since this is not part of the culture in Hong Kong*, I try to make up top 5 reasons why mainland Chinese** like to squat. 

Photo via strippedpixel

1. Practice Makes Perfect – Chinese use squat toilets more than sitting toilets***, in order to have strong thighs to support our little business, we need to practise more.

2. Talk At Same Eye Level – Remember when you talk to a really tall guy for 10 minutes and you neck starts to feel sore? That’s why we squat so everyone can talk at the same eye level without pain.

3. Mysophobia – You want us to sit on the dirty floor? What you are talking about? We are such a clean freak that we have absolutely zero tolerance to allow our ass to touch that stinky, dirty, disgusting floor. NO WAY.

4. Healthy - Modern science has proven the squat as an efficient posture that reduces pain on the patellar (knee) tendon. Need me to say more?

5. Remember Us – is there any easier, better, more compelling way to let you all to remember us? Just a simple squat, yes you guess right, we are Chinese.


Let's Squat!


* If a Hong Konger impersonates a Chinese, the first thing he/she would do is to squat.
** I know Hong Kong people are also Chinese, but we still like to categorize into Hong Kong Chinese and mainland Chinese.
*** A lot of people prefer sitting toilets than squat toilets, but believe me, if you travel to rural area in China, you would never want to sit on a toilet.

19 May 2012

Five Flower Tea

It is ridiculously hot and humid recently in Hong Kong. Whenever I feel very thirsty even though I drink tones of water and acnes are starting to pop out. I got myself some five flower tea.

I grow up drinking this herbal tea, it is said to "clear heat and expel dampness" in Chinese medicine's perspective. I know this may sound funny to foreigners, let's say it this way, five flower tea can relieve fatigue and help with your acne situation - that's fact.

The main floral ingredients of five flower tea are honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, silk cotton, Plumeria rubra and Pueraria lobata (金銀花、菊花、槐花、木棉花和雞蛋花). It is a common herbal tea in Guangdong Province due to its hot and humid weather.


How To Make Five Flower Tea?





It is very easy to make this. In Hong Kong, I can just simply go to any Chinese medicine pharmacy and ask for a pack of five flower tea. After soaking it in the water for 5 minutes, I drain the water  put the herbs and candied water melon (糖冬瓜, you can also buy it in the pharmacy) in a pot of water (around 8L-10L). Bring the pot to a boil and then simmer it for another 45 minutes. You can serve both hot and cold.

We often joke how foreigners survive the hot weather in Hong Kong without drinking it. Next time if you have chance, try this in Hong Kong. It tastes nice! 



Photo Credit

18 May 2012

Taboo in China

NEVER PAT ON SOMEONE'S SHOULDER WHEN ONE IS GAMBLING


We Chinese believe fortune and luck lay on our shoulders when we are gambling. So if you pat on our shoulders when we are pouring our heart and soul to win money, we see you as our biggest enemy in life by trying to rub off our fortune and luck. 

Don't ever try this, we take gambling very seriously. Don't cry if we punch you in your face!
 


When I am playing mahjong, I don't care if that's Obama giving me a friendly pat. F**K OFF!!!