MANILA -- It’s that time of year when dragons come out to play. The Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, and also known as the Spring Festival, falls on February 5 but celebrations begin today on what the Chinese consider as the New Year’s Eve.
But don’t think the festivities only run for two days – the Spring Festival actually lasts for 15 days, beginning from the new moon on New Year’s Day until the full moon on the Lantern Festival.
In China, stores are closed for the first five days of their longest holiday season so much of the shopping must be done before the red letter date. The Chinese can enjoy no work for at least a week, some as long as 10 days, or even until the Lantern Festival.
Why such a long vacation? Well, it could be because the advent of a New Year is welcomed with great ceremony and a host of traditions designed to bring families together and attract prosperity in the coming year.
In fact, their planning involves two main themes: first has to do with cleansing or clearing away all of the previous year’s bad luck; and second, preparing the home to receive the next year’s good fortune.
Considering the prosperity they enjoy in China and elsewhere in the world, if you want to make merry along with our Chinese brothers and sisters and also attract good fortune, here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Sweep away bad luck with a clean home.
In the days leading up to New Year’s Day, the Chinese are busy giving their homes a thorough cleaning. It’s not just to see what items they own still spark joy so they can keep it and throw the rest away. Ceilings are dusted, windows are scrubbed, floors are mopped, and furniture all wiped clean to sweep away the bad luck of the past year. A clean home is a happy home so what are you waiting for?
2. Prepare to feast on New Year’s Eve.
If you’ve enjoyed a Chinese Lauriat, you know that the Chinese are serious about their feasts. In a Lauriat or special occasion, at least 10 dishes are served and guests dine for hours. You could serve your and your family’s favorites but do not forget to include fish. That’s because the Chinese word for “surplus” or “profit” sounds similar to the word for fish. That’s why they believe eating fish will bring wealth in the new year. It’s an excellent source of protein and healthy too so why not?
3. Paint the town red.
When you have the feast planned out, time to decorate and there is only one color to keep in mind: red. Chinatowns around the world transform into scarlet parades from red lanterns to posters and papers bearing lucky characters. It’s not just the streets that undergo the red change – businesses, storefronts and homes – basically every place that wants to attract good fortune dress up in the festive décor. The color red is associated with wealth in Chinese culture, and this is one tradition that they embrace not only in China but also in their diasporas worldwide.
4. Get ready with ear plugs for the Dragon and Lion dances.
The Chinese believe that dragons bring luck, and that’s why dragon dances are performed in almost all special occasions. And if you are wondering why some dances go on and on and on until you are nearly deaf thanks to the gongs, cymbals, and drums, well that’s because they also believe the longer the dragon is in the dance, the more luck it will bring to the community. One more plus: they say the dances also scare away evil spirits.
5. Stockings are out, and red envelopes are in.
The Chinese are also big on exchanging gifts for the New Year, but they prefer to hand it over as cash gifts in red envelopes or ang-paos. As a child, I used to look forward to New Year because all your older relatives are sure to hand you one. Some will have token amounts (hey it’s the thought that counts) but others tend to be a bit more generous and you can feel it from the thickness of the envelope as they hand it over. Ang-paos are usually given by adults to children and from married couples to their younger, unmarried family members. Some bosses also present them to employees (sadly, this has yet to happen to me).
6. Don’t forget the tikoy!
You’ll know it’s Chinese New Year when these red boxes of sticky treats start arriving. Another preferred gift, many Chinese present this to one another, or to their non-Chinese friends to also wish them prosperity. This usually comes in a round shape like a pie, but there are also gourmet varieties and for twice to thrice the price, you can get one shaped like a fish or the Chinese zodiac symbol for the year (for 2019, that’s the pig).
7. Are you ready for it?
When your home is sparkling, the feast about to be served, and gifts waiting to be exchanged, make sure you are personally ready too! The Chinese like to visit the barber or salon and get a fresh haircut or trim. They also have the excuse to shop for a Spring Festival wardrobe, and of course, new red clothing is best. A new you – thanks to a new hairstyle and outfit – are also believed to bring good luck, ensuring a fresh start for the new year.
8. Make sure to settle your debts.
This one may be a tough thing to do unless you have a lot of cash lying around, but still a healthy practice so people stay disciplined about their finances. Again for the Chinese, this has a traditional and symbolic meaning, which is to “close the books” at the end of the year and start a more fortunate page in the new year. But what happens if you don’t? You can expect red paint to be splashed on your door, as one multinational bank discovered after the new year. Allegedly, one of its employees owed money and the debt collectors decided to spill some (figurative) blood, just enough to scare them into paying up!
I admit none of these are guaranteed to pad your pockets, but traditions that survived thousands of years did so for good reason so where’s the harm? Wishing you all Xin Nian Kuai Le! (Happy New Year), or even better Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Wishing you Prosperity).
source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA -- Black Friday is 4 days away and thanks to online shopping, it’s no longer just consumers in the US that can enjoy deep discounts and irresistible deals on a wide range of merchandise.
Here in Asia, we even launched our own version of Black Friday and held it earlier with Singles Day last November 11. Online shopping sites Lazada, Shopee and Zalora all reported record-breaking sales thanks to Filipino consumers who find it nearly impossible to say no to buying items on sale.
This early, a quick scan on the internet shows shoppers will find it hard to resist what’s on offer. If you point your browser to BestBlackFriday.com, you can view the items that will go on sale from nearly all retailers beginning with giants Walmart, Target and Best Buy. I did and 2 hours quickly passed by as I drowned in all the bargains beautifully illustrated in the world wide web, 90 percent of which I don’t really need nor wanted until I started surfing.
And guess what? Some are even rolling in Black Friday early with online deals going live as early as 10 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21.
Before you park yourself in front of your computer, or tablet or phone, along with your credit card, why not stop and think if you should instead be a digital stranger for the next week?
KNOW THY ENEMY
Black Friday comes after Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday of November, and kicks off the Christmas shopping season in the US Urban legend says the term was coined by retailers, as that’s the time of year when they begin to turn a profit, going from being "in the red" to being "in the black." In accounting terms, red means business loss while black means making money.
In the past, most of the shopping happens in stores, so marketing companies launched and coined the term Cyber Monday, for the Monday after Thanksgiving. Simply put, it’s the online equivalent to Black Friday and was a way for smaller retail websites to compete with larger chains. It’s become so successful that some skip Black Friday and hold out for Cyber Monday anticipating even better deals (plus the convenience of shopping in their pajamas).
BUY NOTHING DAY
Amusingly, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there is a quirky holiday called Buy Nothing Day. It’s not really a holiday, in case you think U.S. consumers are so pampered they are awarded a break between 2 major shopping events. Buy Nothing Day is a statement against the consumerism that takes over the whole country, and the rest of the world too thanks to digital shopping sites.
According to data from Adobe Digital Insights, which tracks 80 percent of online spending at 100 of the largest retail websites in the US, American shoppers spent a record $5 billion in 24 hours during Black Friday 2017! That’s a double-digit increase or 16.9 percent more compared with Black Friday 2016.
So the Buy Nothing statement actually makes for one smart advice when it comes to spending money during a sale. Just because something comes cheap does not mean you have to buy it. But if we can’t stop you from indulging, here are some tips to keep in mind to help you rein in your spending at any sale, not just on Singles Day, Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
1. NEVER SHOP HUNGRY. Not all shopping happens online, and if you are ready to brave the crowds, at least feed yourself first. Studies proved that hungry shoppers tend to buy more, and we are not just talking about food. According to Forbes.com, research from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management showed that an empty stomach amps up your desire to acquire things.
Because hunger makes you want to eat, you are thinking of seeking, acquiring and consuming food and these thoughts spill over even to non-food items. As a result, a hungry shopper will buy items they don’t even like or need, such as binder clips according to the documented study.
2. IF THE SHOES DON’T FIT, IT WON’T EVER FIT. Yes, it’s half the price but if it does not come in your size, let it go even at 70 percent off. Feet do not shrink and you owe it to your toes to get shoes that fit right and will let you walk comfortably.
As for that designer dress you want to add to your closet – and wow, now at half price – but it’s 2 sizes smaller, we offer the same advice: walk away. Even if you are confident you will lose 20 pounds next month, until you do, don’t bet with your hard-earned money.
3. KEEP YOUR COOL OR LOSE YOUR SHIRT. It’s just a sale, and you are not saving the world one purchase at a time so keep a level head. If you see items that your family or friends would like, you can decide to buy it as a gift but only if it’s within your gift budget. Do not volunteer to shop for others as that will add to your stress level (and lead to more shopping and spending).
One more reason to keep it cool? Crowds and long lines at the cashier are recipes for disaster. In the US, consumers are known to fight over merchandise, so tempers flare and they have escalated to violent attacks landing people in jail!
4. BETTER YET, RESIST AND LIVE TO SHOP ANOTHER DAY. While I like a good deal as much as the next person, I admit I avoid sales as a rule. Again, surveys show that people who shop during sales are more likely to overspend, as they will be exposed to items that are not on their list to buy, or lulled into thinking they need something just because it is cheap.
Even if you have a list, people shop sales with what they see and what items are on discount so expect to bust your budget. With inflation at its highest in nine years, your wallet should be feeling the pinch so missing the sale this year is probably a sound idea all around.
5... OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES
But if you don’t have the willpower and did go to the sale, you can still save your budget. Say you went overboard and realized it the next day after the sale, or even the same day, try returning the items you know you won’t really need or use. If the price tags are all intact, and you have the official receipt, prepare to make your case with the store.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, here in the Philippines, consumers can return items as long as there is a defect in the quality of goods or imperfection in the service, but not if you only changed your mind. However, some stores are willing to accommodate same day or next day return or refund, so no harm in trying. And if they turn you down, consider offering the items to people you know that may be interested. Explore anything that will make your budget return to black.
The holiday season tends to spur people into shopping frenzies as they go about buying gifts for family and friends. But sometimes, you can skip the shopping and look for gifts that will not hurt your budget and celebrate the meaning of the season. Why not make a donation to a charity and do it in the name of everyone in your Iist? That’s not only a win-win; it’s a win-win-win, for your wallet, for the people in your gift list and the people who will have a happier holiday thanks to you.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
MANILA -- There is a growing Silicon Valley buzz and it does not have anything to do with a new gadget, App, or any software or hardware.
It seems more and more leaders sitting in the recognized technology capital of the world are starting to realize that analog is the way to go, at least when it comes to raising their kids.
It’s ironic that the work they are most proud of, and continues to push to reach all four corners of the globe, are banned within the four walls of their respective homes.
This buzz is not really new, as seniors from Google, Intel and Microsoft, have long ago admitted that they send their children to schools that do not allow computers in classrooms.
A year before he passed away, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs told The New York Times in 2011 that he did not allow his kids to use the newly-released iPad. “We limit how much technology our kids use at home.”
Tim Cook, who took over the reins at Apple after Jobs dies, told The Guardian: “I don’t have a kid, but I have a nephew that I put some boundaries on. There are some things that I won’t allow; I don’t want them on a social network.”
Four years earlier, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates capped his kids’ screen time when his daughter started developing an unhealthy attachment to a video game in 2007.
Speaking to the Mirror in 2017, Gates shared: "We don't have cell phones at the table when we are having a meal, we didn't give our kids cell phones until they were 14 and they complained other kids got them earlier."
He added: "We often set a time after which there is no screen time and in their case that helps them get to sleep at a reasonable hour."
It would seem these men knew the dangers of exposing their children to technology at a young age as far back as 10 years ago, and yet how many of us today are taking their cue?
FROM WARINESS TO CONSENSUS
Featuring interviews with Silicon Valley technologists and parents, a New York Times report on October 26, 2018 claimed the wariness of years ago has turned into a regionwide consensus. They are now saying that the benefits of using digital as a learning tool are overblown, and worse, the risks for addiction as well as stunting development too high.
Brad Huddleston, author of two best-selling books on the subject, Digital Cocaine: A Journey Toward iBalance and The Dark Side of Technology: Restoring Balance in the Digital Age, clued in to the digital addiction problem as early as 12 years ago when he saw how some youth were using MySpace, a social networking site many call the predecessor to Facebook. He was recently in Manila to warn parents and educators of the dangers of screen time, not just too much but any amount of screen time.
While it was his first visit to the country, Huddleston’s online check showed that the Philippines ranks top of the world in social media use and that’s a red flag we all need to watch, young and adults alike.
“I can tell through social media that your country is right in line with other countries who use technology to a great extent,” he said. “I am aware of your growing economy and of course, technology plays a huge part in any corporate setting. Therefore, the Philippines has to tackle the same unintended consequences produced by the hyper-use of technology as all the other countries, richer and poorer.”
Huddleston was one of the keynote speakers at the first Global Homeschool Conference at the SMX Convention Center Taguig which promised to showcase the latest digital trends in the world of education. Yet while addressing over 1500 attendees, Huddleston’s first advice to parents: “Do not allow children under the age of 12 to use technology. This includes using technology for “educational” purposes. I realize that by saying this, I risk being uninvited to many conferences. So be it. Many of the technology executives and employees in Silicon Valley live by this rule in some form. The reasons are obvious.”
Edric Mendoza, president of Homeschool Global who organized the conference, said: "Huddleston’s views on the damaging effects of digital are both relevant (applicable to every individual and family who use screens) and reliable (based on latest neuroscience research). When we came across his book, we instantly realized we need to invite him to the Philippines.”
According to Huddleston: “The internet has now penetrated numerous developing countries. Because the world is connected to the same “pipe” known as the Internet, the resulting problems created by this relatively new medium are generally the same around the world.” And these problems are quite alarming, especially the three that Huddleston highlighted.
Digital Addiction Consequence #1 ADHD. “This condition has increased 800 percent in the past 30 years. The Internet is just over 30 years old. In my opinion and global experience, the clear majority of this 800 percent is digitally induced. It is true that some children are born with attention deficits, but that number is extremely small. The dramatic increase is being caused by hyperstimulation from digital devices.”
Digital Addiction Consequence #2 Multitasking is a myth. “Neuroscience has proven beyond all doubt that the brain is a sequential processor, unable to pay attention to more than one data stream at a time yet, schools often encourage this practice. Because of multitasking as a lifestyle, brain stress is at an all-time high and cognitive abilities are decreasing.”
Digital Addiction Consequence #3 Depression, anxiety, and self-harm. “These are the top symptoms of digital addiction. These very real conditions that result from misusing digital technology will often hamper a child’s ability to concentrate on school work.”
Time to check your holiday shopping list
While listening to Huddleston, I mentally checked my holiday shopping list which included new gadgets for family members. They have since been replaced by analog items that hopefully will stem our own digital addiction.
Huddleston argues for a digital detox but for many "wired" families who may not find if this easy, begin with "intentional."
"The first scientist and clinical psychologist, that I studied, Dr. Archibald Hart, spoke a lot about being 'intentional.' Being intentional means that we literally measure the amount of time we spend on technology (almost no one does this). Perceptually, we think we spend just a few minutes checking email, social media, etc. but when time is measured intentionally, we find that technology has in fact consumed large quantities of our time."
Ideally, your road will begin with intentional and end with detox, and for Huddleston: "Detox means stop. Parents tend to believe their child is the exception. But it’s not about balanced use. It’s not even 'okay to use on Saturdays.' Detox means stop.”
source: news.abs-cbn.com
