After hearing that I’m from China, most people comment that there are so many people there or that the Chinese economy is growing rapidly. Not many of them, however, know much about the modern Chinese family.
Family is the center of Chinese society. Archons of past dynasties all paid great attention to the stability of families, which in turn affected the stability of the society and the regime of the archon.
Chinese families are now becoming more and more modern. Unlike past years, a husband and wife — or a couple, along with other family members — work out the household plans together. They decide family affairs through consultation.
Chinese people have the tradition of respecting the old and loving the young. Though many young couples do not live with their parents, they maintain close contact with them.
Adults have the duty to support and help their parents. The Chinese people attach great importance to family relations and cherish their parents, children, brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts and other relatives.
As for free time, there are three big holidays in China, called “Golden Weeks,” each lasting seven days. These are May Day (May 1), Chinese National Day (Oct. 1) and Spring Festival (New Year’s Day based on the Chinese lunar calendar).
During the “Golden Weeks,” China is like a recreational paradise. Tourists pour into holiday resorts both inside and outside of the country. They just want to enjoy the wonderful vacation with their families and friends.
Besides these holidays, what Chinese people do on weekends or daily leisure time depends on their age. Adults like to stay at home to relax and watch TV or go to a teahouse. Young people are more westernized. They usually go to movies, shop, and go to coffee shops and KTV (karaoke) — pretty much the same as in the U.S.
On weekends or during holidays, various types of cafes and teahouses are often full of people who want to enjoy a romantic and relaxed time. The rapidly growing number of teahouses, bars, coffee shops and Internet cafes in cities has made them leisure centers with a bourgeois sentiment.
China has also fostered a strong study atmosphere. More and more people spend their holidays in libraries. People are also willing to spend money and time studying technology. Postgraduate qualifying examination training, English training, MBA classes, software financial analyst coaching, as well as a batch of new developing training schools have arisen.
This is just a brief view of life in China. Any interested explorers should come to China in the future to experience it him or herself. China always welcomes people to explore her great mystery in history, culture and life.
LU International Insights
