Happy New Year!
This is Minami.
How did you spend during the vacation?
I usually have a relaxed New Year holidays with my family every year.
Probably many Japanese people spend the New Year in the similar way as I do.
I have heard a story; in Japan, people usually spend a Christmas day with their boyfriends/girlfriends and spend the New Year with their family, while people in Europe and north America spend a Christmas day with their family and spend the New Year with their boyfriends/girlfriends.
I am interested in custom difference like this, so I did a brief research on the New Year custom in the world.
<Keywords>
Japan: osechi, shrine and temple, gift
China: gyoza, gift, the lunar New Year
Korea: zoni, the lunar new Year
USA: firework, countdown, party
UK: firework, party
Austria: new year concert, firework
Australia: firework, barbecue
I understand that Asian people celebrate the New Year calmly and people in other countries do merrily (among the countries above).
Which way of celebrating the New Year do you like? I like the Japanese way.
Also, if you know other customs in foreign countries, please let me know them.
Minami
It was very interesting to know the various kinds of spending time in New Year in different countries.
ReplyDeleteI love the Japanese style of spending time of course, but I would like to experience all countries' style of New Year in the future.
Minori Tango
Hi, this is Ms. MacGregor. Please know that the bottom four countries are mostly Christian countries which celebrate Christmas in a religious way. As for me as a Canadian, Christmas is a time to spend quietly with family. People go back to their homes to see their families. The new year is a party time. It is reversed in Japan - you party at Christmas and spend the new year quietly. Personally I miss many aspects of a traditional Christmas at home, but I also appreciate the quiet during the new year holiday. What is your preference for these two holidays?
ReplyDeleteHello. This is Koichi.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the difference of this custum. As we are living in Japan, we tend to guess other countries celebrate these events same way as we Japanese people do; however, it's not true as you mentioned. Studying cultural differences will widen our view, I suppose.
Anyway, I hope this year will be a good one for you!!!