“Love is in the air”; as cliché as it sounds. But that’s not what will be happening tonight.
Today is Chap Goh Meh (besides the Thaipusam celebration). Chap Goh Meh in Hokkien is known as the 15th day (and it also marks the final day) of Chinese New Year celebration. Chap Goh Meh is the Chinese version of Valentine’s Day.
It is the new trend that youngsters nowadays go to the lake or pond or sea to toss oranges. This tradition is originated from Penang. It is the yearly affair for unmarried women to leave the confines of their homes to toss the oranges; in the hope that the oranges would be picked up by eligible young men who might just turn out for be their future spouses.
“Lu kee dim kam lar” (translated as "You go and toss oranges lar"), my colleague told me in Hokkien. I laughed cynically. I always think that it is a real gimmick nowadays. Who would really go on a date and get to know people this way? Ok, call me old fashion or an antique if you want. Even though I am single, I would never leave me email address or mobile number on an orange. You would never know if you will find “an orange with a worm in it” when you pick one up. It also makes me have a scene that the number someone calls is actually an Ah Long. *Call this number for easy loan*….Okok, sorry, I got a bit distracted there.
I believe this event will surely add an extra task to the local district municipal (ie. MPPJ). They would have to clear up the leftovers oranges from the ponds. Imagine 100 over or more oranges floating on the water. Hmm…I wonder will there be orange vendors standing beside the pond waiting to collect the oranges with a huge fishing net; wash the ink off the skin and sell them at a lower price? Or you might find a telephone number while eating dried orange peel from the packet?!
*(just a thought)*
Eeeeewwwww…..oranges soaked in the super-duper-murky-muddy-water.
Happy Chinese Valentine’s Day, everyone!
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