Bachelor’s Festival & Bachelor Party

Recently, I found something very interesting between Chinese culture and American culture.

In China, we have a festival called Bachelor's festival. And, in America, there is a party called Bachelor party. It seems very smiliar based on the name, however those two are totally different in essence.


Bachelor's Festival

November 11th is a entertaining festival in Mainland China, which is Bachelor’s festival, or Guang gun Festival or One’s Day.

People pick this date because 11.11 looks like 4 smooth sticks, and “smooth stick” in Chinese means bachelor, underlying those who are still single. Since this year is 2011, you may notice that there are three "11"s---2011.11.11. Therefore, people will pick the 11:11pm at Nov.11, 2011 to start a party or use three"11"s as a theme to host a celebration.

College students, espeically those haven’t got a boyfriend or girlfriend at that time, are so want to find a lover by taking this great opportunity. It is truly a wonderful time to hangout and have fun with your friends.

Bachelor Party

The bachelor party, based on my understanding,  is a party that held for a man before he enters marriage so that he may able to enjoy the last night of freedom.

Through watching the soap opera Friends, I noticed that when Chandler was celebrating his bachelor night, they even hired a stripper to perform. Oh, man, this part is so beyond my imagination. I guess,
those kind of unusual activities are act as a rite of passage from bachelorhood to a more responsible life style.

Anyway, it is such an interesting party to say goodbye to one's single life and start to begin a new jouney with his wife.

Express Culture through Nature

Just a few weeks ago, my friends and I went to visit the Walden Pond.

When I was in Shanghai, I have already read the book the Walden Pond by Thoreau. However, when I actually saw the Walden Pond with my own eyes, I was shocked by its beauty.

Located in the centre of the six ancient towns south of Yangtze River, there is a place named Wuzhen, a historic scenic town. You can find tradition everywhere in Wuzhen. Apart from flower-drum opera, shadow-puppet shows, and temple fairs, Wuzhen also attracts visitors with its art of making indigo-dyed printed calico. Just ike the Walden Pond, Wuzhen is also well-known for its natural beauty and talented people in history, such as Mao Dun, a great master of Chinese revolutionary writer.

When I was walking through Wuzhen, I felt like every corner has its story, and so does each stone. I am so attacted by the atmosphere of its traditional culture and original ancient features. People there are so enjoyed by their lifestyle. So, everytime I go there, I can find peace and pleasure.

The Walden Pond is different. Just like Thoreau said, it is remarkably deep and pure. Although right now very often people regard the pond as a wonderful place for swimming, riding and other outdoor activities, the pond itself is like a goddness who can not be touched but only be admired in a far view.

For me, though wuzhen and the Walden Pond are all very beautiful, wuzhen's culture is much closer to me than that of the Walden Pond. Therefore, I want to explore more about American culture so that I won't just be an admirer but an insider.

It takes time, I know. But, I am on my way now to be a bridge between two cultures.

I am really looking forward to the progress...

An American is practicing Tai Chi near the Walden Pond.

Wuzhen

Surprise Everywhere!!

Recently, While I am walking around the campus, I find surprises everywhere!

Surprise One: Second-hand Book Selling

Just a couple days ago, our university held an attractive activity that is "sell second hand book".I noticed that the second hand books are of high-quality and are super cheap, exactly meeting the needs of different  kinds of students.  Though those kind of events will also happened on campus of Shanghai, there is still a lot for Chinese students to learn from Clarkies, from the format to the connotation.

Surprise Two: Time Controller

"WOW!! So Creative", this is my impression when I first saw this piece of art at library. (See pic as below)

Even though American students are so busy with their school work, they will still save some time on creative activities, such as making this wonderful "time controller". I call it "time controller", for it seems like the giant hand, which made by papers hold tightly to the clock, showing a desire to control the time.

American students are so creative on hand-making stuff. They are keen on design, only for fun and pleasure. So, you see, making life colorful and creative is Americans' habit and also their strength. I think, this is another aspect that Chinese students can learn from Americans. After all, a little creative can make our life a lot different!!

 Suprise Three:  Apple can be cut in this way!!

One day, When I went to my friend's house, she showed how she cut an apple by using an amazing tool. Here it is, check the pic blew !! When I was in Shanghai,  I always cut the apple by using a small knife. I never thought this little green tool can be so useful and so cute!  I have to admit, American are so creative. Just using a small tool, making life much easier and enjoyable.



Acknowledgments

Shanghai,  as the cultural and economic centre of East Asia, it is seen as the Ms. Modern in China.
It was in Shanghai that the first motor car was driven and the first train tracks were laid.
It was in Shanghai that gathered a bunch of intellectuals, like Lu Xun, Mao Dun. Romantic, Shi Zhecun and Eileen Chang. 

America, as a multicultural nation, has a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions, and values. Its culture is regard as the most individualistic in the world . People from all over the world is attracted by its social viewpoints and cultural expectations. Truly, it is a place that full of charming and mystery.

When a Shanghainese, like me, accidentally come to America and live in a city like Worcester or Boston. Who knows what will happen ?

When two cultures accidentally meet with each other, who knows what will happen?

Culture Shock, is that true?  Race discrimination, will it happen to me?  Crazy parties, will it become part of my life?  I am looking forward to the answers...

Through this  blog, I, as the bridge between two cultures, am going to write a lot of interesting phenomena around my life in the United States of America.  Hope you will like it !!!!!