...... of the Chinese wedding tea offering ceremony

Yours Sincerely ( Y S ) received several wedding invitations this June. June, the even month, could be an auspicious month and it also coincides with the two- week school mid-year holidays. So, couples take the golden opportunity to tie their matrimony knots. Y S is always happy to be present for wedding ceremony and reception. It is time to meet family members, nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces, relatives and also friends.

It is also interesting to see how people compare notes when they meet. Some flatter each other on their youthful looks although the faces are covered in layers of Avon, SK II, Max Factor, Clinique etc etc. Others brag about the achievements of their children. " My so and so son/daughter is earning USD doing this and doing that." Some showcase the abilities of their grandchildren being able to read at aged 3, recite the alphabets at aged 3.2 etc etc, short of praising their DNA. A few delight in displaying their expensive apparels bought from S K Tan, Mid-Valley Mega mall or their Coach Handbags bought in N. York. The list is unending. It can be quite amusing to Y S who has nothing to brag about besides his travels. (Perhaps to the other party this is also bragging. LOL )

Y S approves the Chinese wedding tea offering ceremony and believes that this is a good tradition to continue. To the uninitiated, at this ceremony the bride and groom would offer a cup of tea to family members and relatives, according to seniority hierarchy. While the tea is being offered , the person concerned is introduced to the newly married couple.

Take for example, Y S is number five in the family hierarchy after my three sisters and one brother so my turn for the ceremony comes fifth. The mistress of ceremony who is usually an elderly and chatty person would introduce, " This is your second grand uncle and Aunty." The couple would respond, " Second Grand Uncle and Aunty please drink tea." The tea in special tea cups is offered to the person concerned.

After sipping the tea, the recipient is supposed to offer a cash gift in a red packet called "Angpow." This is a good practice for the cash gift would serve the newly wedded couple well. The amount depends on the person.

However, there are some "cheap skate" siblings and relatives who put in a small amount of cash and in this case they would not write their names on the "angpow" and hope hard that it would somehow get disguised among other "angpows."

In this way, the newly wedded is introduced to all the clan.

Good tradition should be preserved.