“The majority of students don’t understand the significance of rituals. Rituals are events of social solidarity.”

NUS sociology professor Chua Beng Huat made this comment on the diminishing significance of Chinese New Year among the younger generation of Singaporeans during an interview with The Observer.

“They may say that it is meaningless but once it’s gone they may start to miss it,” he added.
Chua’s warning is timely, as the attitude of the younger generation of Singaporeans towards Chinese New Year traditions does seem to be undergoing a major shift.

Some of these young Singaporeans, such as second-year Communications and New Media major Chen Mei Mei, are starting to find traditional Chinese New Year practices “very mundane and boring.”

Basic customs such as visiting other families have now become a chore.

“It is the same every year,” Chen said. “When you visit relatives they will ask you the same questions about where I’m studying or whether I have a boyfriend.”

Third-year CNM major Paul Yang echoed similar frustrations.

“We always meet up and talk about the same stuff that doesn’t really matter,” he said. “We patronize each other and laugh at jokes that are not funny.”

For Singaporeans such as Yang, going overseas then becomes an escape from family visitations during Chinese New Year.

“Once in awhile my family goes overseas to avoid Chinese New Year,” he said. “We’d rather go somewhere and spend time with family rather than waste time with people that I only meet once a year.”

With increasing modernization, Chinese New Year has also lost some of its old-school flavor and is being infused with a more urbane edge.

“It has become less traditional, more sophisticated and entertainment-based,” said second-year CNM major Michelle Leong. “TV shows celebrate Chinese New Year by focusing on stars, song and dance, MTV.”

Instead of having a festive celebration, some people are also opting for quieter ways of spending the New Year.

“During Chinese New Year all the shops are closed. Very few shops are open,” Chen said. “So I will go to Coffee Bean and chat with my friends.”

However, meaningful, heart-warming social interaction with loved ones still remains a priority for some young Singaporeans. The custom of having a reunion dinner with loved ones on the eve of Chinese New Year has a place in their hearts.

For Chen, whose two sisters are air stewardesses, reunion dinner was spent catching up with her direct family.

“They are always not around," she said. “Dad is always overseas on business and I stay in hall, so nobody is at home.”

 “It’s nice to have everybody around,” she added. “For a long time we haven’t had dinner together.”

Though some traditions have evolved, it is clear that the essence of Chinese New Year is not lost.

There will also be some Chinese New Year practices that will never lose their values.
Chen knows this too well.

“What we look forward to is receiving ang paos and enjoying the good food,” she said.  Related stories:
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