Festivities

I am most definitely looking forward to the Festival of the Hungry Ghost also known as the seventh month of the Lunar calender. No, it's not because I have some macabre fascination with the dead/undead, nor do I sell incense and paper ingots. Neither am I a part-time 'getai' singer or a restless spirit for that matter. Stop speculating, the truth is actually much simpler than that. At least that would be one month when I will be free from the fear of receiving wedding invitations.

Now don't get me wrong, it's not that I am a killjoy, just because my time has yet come to partake of the glorious institution of marriage, my ability to share in other's joy is not compromised. It is not because I am a stingy Hakka man and the thought of having to part with my hard earned cash hurts me that deeply although there is some truth in that argument. Nor is it a case of bitterness engrained in envy even though it is an undeniable fact that the balance of singles and married couples among my peers is swinging and I am firmly caught on the wrong side. Like most things related to me, the explanation is really simple, simplistic if you like. It's really a drag.

Not the most politically correct thing to say I know but really don't you feel that wedding dinners are such a drag. Especially if you are not part of the 'brother/sister' entourage, i.e. close friends of the couple. You are slotted in with equally reluctant attendees and you struggle to make small talk throughout the dinner whilst plotting the most appropriate time to make what you can only hope is a gracious exit. Especially if the either the bride or the groom are descendants of traditional Chinese businessman, oh the excitement of seeing some old folk present some golden double happiness pendant to the parent or the pure elation of seeing the parent share their joy by making a public donation to their 'huay guan'. Wow, how exciting, I wish the night would never end, although it certainly feels that way doesn't it?

Sometimes, the best man or the maid of honor would chose to add their input to the night's fun by narrating how the blissful couple met and all. There should be some committtee to screen the storyline before approving it for public broadcast. Some of these stories are really boring if you would excuse my penchant for understatement. I do not doubt that each love story is sweet to the protaganist but my doctor warned me to watch my sugar intake so please kindly spare me. You can leave these stories to your grandchildren during Chinese New Year, for the coveted 'ang pow', those little tykes should grant you an audience. As for me, I will just clap when you walk in and yam seng when everyone else is doing the same.