Family
This is a massive topic as the family, like many other cultures, is paramount in Chinese culture. I will be adding to this section as and when the need arises. In the meantime, this is what we have so far:
No doubt, every Chinese person will tell you that the most important thing in life is ‘the family’. In China, it often seems that the matrix of the family has a degree of influence and control which permeates through the ranks downwards. This is the old grandmother or an influential auntie perhaps. They often exert a control over their offspring and grandchildren that would be highly unusual in most Western family units. Sometimes, they dictate who their younger generations should and should not marry, in more rural parts of the country, and because of the solid family hierarchy in place, the poor child dare not disagree. In fact, the pressure to get married is a relentless pressure on young people.
This is changing to allow more freedom of choice though and there’s an increasing open-mindedness in some families in the big cities now. Come festivals and national holidays, lengthy trips across China are made back to home towns.
Spring Festival Travel
Never, if at all possible, travel or visit China during one of these national holidays so you can actually buy a flight or train ticket for the date you actually want (and even then, be sure to book it weeks in advance on mainline routes). The main event is Spring Festival. Tickets sell out, billions on the move, winter winds make it tough and prices jump!
The Chinese have a wondrous attitude to being ‘family-first’ and this forms pretty much the backbone of main Chinese culture. One could even say, China’s relatively low crime rate may be as a result of tight family hierarchy and expectations. Huge family gatherings are an impressive sight and can become feasts spread over several days, especially in countryside homes where you’ll see huge red tents erected with a sea of tables and food for all kinds of occasions.
All age groups will be present and the Chinese will do anything to get ready for the big occasion, from the military son or new infant, to the old grandpa and wealthy uncle in Hong Kong, it’s a pilgrimage to the centre of their universe: the rural ‘ancestral’ family home or city restaurant hire.
Chinese families are one of the most spectacular, and interesting, aspects of Chinese culture. As a foreigner, you'll be very welcome into their home. As a fiance or boy/girlfriend though, this is not so straight forward and is worthy of an entirely new section in this guide!
