A tad more festive jeers this season

Chinese New Year looks to be losing a bit of its luster and significance in Shanghai, at least according to the latest survey results from the Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau.

According to the survey, which polled 2,509 residents aged above 16 in the city, 12.4 percent of respondents said that they are not looking forward to Chinese New Year while more than half feel indifferent about it. Only 35.4 percent of those surveyed said they are excited about the occasion.

Among those who are not looking forward to the Spring Festival, nearly 40 percent of them say this period is just like any other day, except for the addition of festive cheers. Within this same group of people, 25.7 percent said they are not willing to spend more money because of the festival.

“It is a pity that the festive spirit of Chinese New Year is disappearing as people are getting busier and paying less attention to traditions. This used to be my favorite moment of the year during my childhood,” said Zheng Rui, a 34-year-old housewife in Shanghai.

The Spring Festival has traditionally been a period marked by family reunions and it is this aspect of the occasion that many still hold close to their hearts — 61 percent of survey respondents say this is the main significance of the New Year.

“Reunion is the only word I will use to describe the Spring Festival,” said Zhou Cheng, a 28-year-old white collar worker from Changsha, Hunan province, who is currently working in Shanghai. “However, this year will be the first time I’m not going back to my hometown as my parents are coming over to celebrate the festival with me.”

Of the customary activities involved during this period, 96.3 percent of the respondents value the reunion dinner the most, followed by the act of giving money. Praying and making wishes has been a unique activity for those celebrating the Lunar New Year and more than 92 percent are hoping for safety and good health, while the remainder chose happiness and wealth.

Bearing gifts during visits to the homes of friends and family members has always been a norm during the festive period and the majority of respondents still believe that it is a necessity to buy presents for the elderly, followed by children and friends. However, everyone believes that presents are not as important as well wishes.

“I always tell my children and friends that I don’t care if you come with gifts or not, but I do care whether you come or not,” said Lu Binghuan, a 62-year-old retired resident in Shanghai.