A crash course to doing Chinese New Year right
Do not be the person who breaks their dumpling
An NBA promo ad for the Rockets vs. Warriors game caught my attention a few days ago.
James Harden was eating dumplings with Jeremy Lin and Stephen Curry as they sat around a Chinese round table. Everyone was wearing red and looking delightful. The commercial ended with people toasting to their families and sending wishes to one another.
That’s right, it’s Chinese/Lunar New Year again. As we step into the year of the Monkey, here are a few things you should know about this special holiday so you can understand the essence of the culture and you don’t embarrass yourself in front of your Asian friends.
Origin of the Chinese New Year
It begins with a monster. Don’t laugh, I’m serious. The tale goes like this.
A long time ago in a mountain somewhere in China, lives a fugly monster called Nien (use your imagination). Nien has absolutely no chill on the first day of the Lunar calendar. He comes down from the mountain and sneaks into the village, takes your kids, steals your girl, and makes a mess, every, single, year. The villagers tried all kinds of things to fight Nien. However, none of them succeeded until a wise old man discovered Nien is scared of the color red, fire, and loud noises. Therefore, people started wearing red, playing firecrackers, and decorating their houses with red color on the first day of the Lunar Calendar. This tradition has been passed down through generations since around 1600 BC. The color red now symbolizes prosperity, happiness, fortune, and expectation for a better future.
So, put on some red color today for better luck in the year of Monkey. It’s science, don’t question it. Just know.
Dumplings
This traditional Chinese food has a long history. It’s more than just some juicy, savory, deliciousness that pops in your mouth. It’s a family activity.
The process of making dumplings is a major part of the experience. The key of good dumplings is that the family gather around the table and spend quality time when making the dumplings. It’s more about the family and less about the flavor. Still, dumplings are awesome, I know.
The right way to eat a dumpling is to pick them up with chopsticks and stuff them to your mouth. If you still don’t know how to do it, look it up on youtube or go watch the new Kung Fu Panda movie.
Major key: you can’t break your dumpling, just don’t do it. It might sound funny but a broken dumpling is a bad omen. Again, it’s science, don’t question it. Respect the dumpling, seriously. Don’t be a fool and stick your fork in the dumpling. If you do, I’ll be judging you, and DJ Khaled will come over and say, “Congratulations, You just played yourself.”
The BU Dining services will probably serve Chinese food as they did last year.
Enjoy this special holiday and get it right.
Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year everyone.