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Valentine’s Day

If you come to Shanghai in Valentine's day, you'll see flowers everywhere. People are going crazy for the Valentine's Day. It seems that young people in China have more passion on Valentine than the traditional Chinese Valentine's day. Moreover almost all shops and restaurants consider this western love festival as the golden opportunity to earn more money. It has become a huge business in newly affluent China.

I think it's not necessary to celebrate Valentine's day here. Because first it's not a even Chinese holiday, we have nothing to do with it. Second, China has it's own traditional love festival which is on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. We call it "Qi Xi". Sadly not many young people are aware of that, they may tell you the history of the Valentine's day, however, I bet they don't know the story of "Qi Xi".

I am not against people who celebrate the western holidays, In fact think it's good to know something about western culture.  But just dont' be too over on it.

Views (1747)   Replies (12)  

Latest Responses to this Blog

frank

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2007-07-11
Language : None
Posts : 13
Responses : 49
Comments : 4
 frank hotmail.com 
2009-06-18 / 09:22AM

This is a very interesting thing in China, I’ve noticed that lots of my colleagues usually celebrate the western Christmas and especially Valentine’s day. If the girl couldn’t get anything on that day, she will get embarrassed.

This is a education problem and very sad to see this kind of thing.

Frank

Reply  
newtype

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2009-06-18
Language : English, Japanese
Posts : 2
Responses : 24
Comments : 16
 mobilesuit yahoo.com.cn 
2009-06-18 / 09:54AM

Valentine is also very popular in Japan. Many many Japanese like it. Lots of shops also like, because they can make money and more customers

竹内

Reply  
Ryan

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2009-06-18
Language : English
Posts : 1
Responses : 8
Comments : 4
 jamesRyan yahoo.com.cn 
2009-06-18 / 10:50AM

Now I understand why the Chinese government added 4 new holidays in China

Reply  
harrypotter

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2009-06-18
Language : English
Posts : 1
Responses : 13
Comments : 0
 Harrypotter yahoo.com.cn 
2009-06-18 / 11:09AM

Do Chinese people celebrate Western valentine’s day? I think everywhere does in the world.

Jouni

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benny

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2007-01-01
Language : English, Mandarin Chinese
Posts : 0
Responses : 2359
Comments : 75
 Benny the Mandarin Teacher bennysland.com 
2009-06-18 / 12:47PM

In order to educate the Chinese young people and let them remember our traditions,from last year we have 4 new holidays

Benny


Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin from AskBenny

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kite

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2009-06-16
Language : English
Posts : 0
Responses : 17
Comments : 4
 cassie hotmail.com 
2009-06-18 / 02:07PM

Hi,Benny I think “bai se” Valentine’s day also very popular in China,right?

Reply  
benny

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2007-01-01
Language : English, Mandarin Chinese
Posts : 0
Responses : 2359
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 Benny the Mandarin Teacher bennysland.com 
2009-06-18 / 02:24PM

I’ve heard about this word which is in the 12th of March. It is originates from Korea.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Benny


Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin from AskBenny

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Fennylin

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2009-06-17
Language : English
Posts : 1
Responses : 5
Comments : 0
 Fenny Lin 163.com 
2009-06-18 / 02:24PM

Benny,
Which Valentine you prefer?

Reply  
benny

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2007-01-01
Language : English, Mandarin Chinese
Posts : 0
Responses : 2359
Comments : 75
 Benny the Mandarin Teacher bennysland.com 
2009-06-18 / 02:35PM

For me, I prefer “qixi”, the Chinese valentine, but I also like the Western valentine.

Benny


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Reply  
newtype

Chinese Mandarin :Chinese Mandarin Level
Registered on : 2009-06-18
Language : English, Japanese
Posts : 2
Responses : 24
Comments : 16
 mobilesuit yahoo.com.cn 
2009-06-18 / 03:14PM

I am afraid your answer is too “diplomatic”, Dear Benny.

Just say you don’t the western valentine’s day. It’s ok

竹内

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