Enjoying the Culture 163Age
When in discussion with a Chinese over age, remember that
they often reference the lunar calendar when calculating
their age and so the age that they tell you does not tie to the
Gregorian calendar, which typically creates a discrepancy
of a year. Oftentimes, someone who tells you that they are
29 years old would be 28 by Gregorian calendar standards.
Most cosmopolitan Chinese have an understanding of the
difference and will automatically adjust their answer to the
Western context.
Name
The changing of each year effects your fate depending on
your sign. It is common for Chinese to see fortune tellers
during a zodiac transition, or if they are having a run of bad
luck. In addition to the use of jade, feng shui, and traditional
remedies, another common piece of advice is to change your
name. It is not unusual for a Chinese person to change their
name in order to bring themselves better luck.
FESTIVALS
Spring Festival (Chun Jie)
This is the biggest holiday in China. Otherwise known as
Chinese New Year, it is celebrated on the first day of the
first month of the lunar calendar. A three-day public holiday,
commencing on the eve of the New Year, Chinese people spend
this time with their family or travelling. Food plays a significant
role in the holiday with continual gatherings for eating with
friends and family occuring over a four-week period.
There are prescribed days for different activities that will
guarantee success for the coming year. For example, you
clean your house, sweep away the bad luck of the year, buy
new clothes and get your hair cut before New Year’s Day. All
debts should be paid off so you start the year with a clean
slate. Homes are also decorated in red.
During the holiday, people visit family and friends and pass
out hong baos (red envelopes) containing cash. Some people
believe that if the new year is the ruling year of the animal
that signifies the year they are born, they will be very lucky or