Family:

No doubt, every Chinese person will tell you that the most important thing in life is ‘the family’. Usually, the matrix of the family is the grandmother or auntie. They often exert a control over their offspring and grandchildren that would be highly unacceptable in most Western family units. Sometimes, they dictate who their younger generations should and should not marry and because of the solid family hierarchy in place, the poor child dare not disagree. This is changing to allow more freedom of choice. Come festivals, week-long holidays or news about family matters, lengthy trips acrossChinaare made back home. Chinese families are wondrous examples of a ‘family-first’ mentality and form pretty much the backbone of main Chinese culture. One could even sayChina’s relatively low crime rate may be as a result of tight family controls. Huge family gatherings are an impressive sight and can become feasts spread over several days. 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 inHong Kong, it’s a pilgrimage to the centre of their universe: the family home, farm or apartment block.