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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: If Chinese don't celebrate Christmas, why do they play Christmas carols in supermarkets?
What a great question! I think the answer is... you don't need to celebrate Christmas to listen to Christmas music =) I just read a study on this, Christmas music makes you feel good and buy more. MUZAK!
rich45:
i can understand Christmas music having that effect in the west. where Christmas is very much part of the culture even if you aren't christian. most Chinese dont know or care what Christmas is about.
During Christmastime, there are decorations everywhere in China (hotels and restaurants and supermarkets and even along some big streets). It's weird because Chinese people don't celebrate the holiday. It's basically done for foreigners.
well i was working in dubai and qatar before they also decorate their markets but they do not celebrate, the answer is simple
they are just fullfilling market formality that's it.
They do make a big deal about Christmas, but have no idea what it's origins or traditions are accept for the consumer driven ones. I was in Shenyang last Christmas and the stores had lots of decorations and carols playing, the whole deal really. On Christmas Eve Jongjie mall was absolutely chockers on a freezing cold night with shoppers or people just wandering around. Far more people than I have ever seen in a shopping area, anytime , anywhere in my life. It was sureal to see. People just picking out the worst aspects of someone elses tradition, but in saying that it was also wonderful to watch them all as they all looked like they were having a good time.
Chinese supermarkets will celebrate any foreign songs, festivals, etc just to cash in more money. It's not at all related to sharing another tradition, but just to make Chinese new generations spend more money in shopping.
They would even celebrate the muslim ramadan if they could. But, I don't think Chinese people would fast for a whole month and refraining themselves from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours.
Also, when you keep people's mind busy with parties and festivities, they won't think about the misery they live in, their lack of freedom.
I think most people do celebrate...
Parties, who will say no?
It's a fake Christmas here. It is just copied (like most things) and adapted to fit the Chinese.
There are actually a lot of Christians in China, it's just not as "in the open" here.
However, Christmas is catching on here as a consumer holiday. I see nothing wrong with a little gift giving and good will towards men becoming popular here!
kchur:
I have problems with people bothering me to dress as father christmas, or changing up their normal "HELLO HAHAHA" with "SANTA CRAUS HAHAHA"
in china, differents people have different idea for christmas:
the younger celebrate christmas for funs.
the parents celebrate chiristmast for children.
the merchant celebrate christmas for money
bascially , the chinese ordinary people don't care christmas and what real mean about it, their's purpose is have a excuse to relax themself.
I think it is Xmas (being commercial) they celebrate, rather than Christmas. I haven't met anyone who knows what Christmas is about in China. Most people in Australia get a holiday or overtime pay, so they celebrate it too, like Easter