Expat Insight: Christmas and Holidays Abroad
Share Your Own Experiences
Culture Shock and Living in
Dongguang
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Dongguang
How long have you lived there?
3.5 years
If locals celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah where you are living now, how is it celebrated differently?
The Chinese in general do not celebrate Christmas, but they do love the glitter and glitz of Christmas trees and their ornaments. Most restaurant employees wear a Santa Claus hat and try to say "Merry Christmas", but you haven't lived until you've heard "Silent Night sung in fractured Chinglese to a frantic Techno pop beat!!
If locals do not celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah (and you do), what do you do for the holidays?
Most Expats will leave China for the Christmas holidays and travel to resorts in this part of the world.
As it's usually just one day, I stay here in Dongguang and treat myself to a massage.
Do you mix your own traditions with those of your expat location? If so, describe.
I usually take my work team members out for dinner, but it has to be Chinese as most of them don't really like Western food, especially a traditional Christmas Day fare. But, they love to get into the Christmas mood and any excuse to eat is good to them.
What is your favorite thing about celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah in your overseas location?
In the USA, Christmas trees and decorations are pushed down our throats and our wallets as early as August/September and the commercialization borders on obscene. Here in Dongguan you just don't get that,and trees are only put up in the middle of December so one can appreciate the season much more.
Beside family and friends, what do you miss from home during the holidays?
Not much really!
How is New Year's typically celebrated in your expat location?
It's just another day for the Chinese. For Expats they have celebrations at the Bars/Restaurants on "Bar Street" here in Dongguan, just like in the West.
Write a Comment about this Report
|
|
