Difference over knives
Hmm... This is one thing that I've always thought about. Considering that I live in a Western country, but have been brought up in an Asian family/background with their values, so I am thinking that I will probably talk more on this topic... so... new component of my blog is here... XD
Anyways, my brother's friend is having his engagement party. And my brother had to rush to buy him a present, and guess what my brother got his friend? A set of knives, kitchen knives. Not that big of a deal right?
Well not for my mum. My mum's reaction to it was a "huh... why? WHAT?!? Who does that? It's not a good sign." For those who might not know, to the Chinese, there are a few things that are just not allowed to be given as a present during engagements, weddings and birthdays, etc. And a knife is one of them. Not just because it's a knife and you can kill someone with it, but for engagements and weddings, it's like the cutting of the bond? Something like that.
So just then, she was talking about it with a couple who lives close by. And the auntie's reaction was to it was "WHAT?!?!? WHY?!?!? YOU DON'T GIVE SOMEONE A KNIFE FOR THEIR ENGAGEMENT!!!" Where as her husband said that it was fine, since he didn't know the meaning behind it, and that it was a practical gift (more Western thinking, I presume?), and that it was a New Age/generation gift. To which the wife said that there were many other practical gifts that could be given to them, like a toaster or what not. Which I think is true. Like I would think that even if you were to buy someone a set of knives, it would be for their wedding right? Since they wouldn't need it for an engagement, but that's besides the point.
To Asians, buying a knife is a huge crime. If you receive one for a engagement/wedding, it is a bad sign. Westerners though, don't really care.
Labels: cultural differences
merran 
Who I am? Hey guys! Just call me Merran, Mezzy, or even Siri if you want. (don't ask, I'm not even sure how that came about). I'm born on 24th of December 1990.
My hometown is Singapore, but I'm currently studying in Melbourne, Australia.
I'm studying an Arts degree right now, and have no real idea what I want to do still with the rest of my life =/ Music is something that has kept me company through all my ups and downs. Especially through my downs when I feel like there is no one who understands.