Chap Goh Meh

After 15 days of celebration and food gorging, we are at the last day of Chinese New Year aka "Chap Goh Meh" which means in Hokkien as the 15th day. To the spirit of this Piggie Year, I think i have packed extra 2 kg within this 15 days.

Chap Goh Meh is also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day. Traditionally, unmarried woman would be throwing mandarin oranges to the river or sea (environmentalist alert!) in hope that a suitor would pick them up. I just got to know that this practise actually originated from Penang, Malaysia. Well done Bolehland! Much better than the usual longest Yee Sang, biggest mooncake or tallest lantern we do to make it into the Books of Records...Malaysia version. Wasteful publicity stunt, IMHO.

With the changing time and technological advancement, the throwing of mandarin oranges has evolved accordingly.

First of all, we have the handphones and thus personalised numbers is possible. People are now writing their numbers onto the oranges and hope the suitors would give them a call. Thanks to technology, we can now track and have feedback from the suitors. Of course, this also means that any weirdoes, stalkers or murderers would be able to track you.

Nowadays, even guys are looking for soul mates through this method. Instead of throwing oranges, the guys are using BANANAS. Looking at this perpective, ladies would have to throw oranges in pairs then. If this practise would continue to evolve, I foresee a very interesting future. To impress or gain more attention, ladies would be throwing papayas or watermelons. As for the guys, I think they should be using bigger and larger bananas. I don't think other fruits are better fitting than the classic banana. Maybe they can tie two coconuts to the banana. We shall see what will happen.

Chap Goh Meh could also be a conspiracy from our elders. Think of it! Everytime we visit our relatives and elders during CNY, if you are not married or attached, the same question would pop up. When are you getting married? Got girlfriend or boyfriend already? Your this and that younger cousin is married already and having kids soon, so you better hurry. Once they finish pounding and pressuring you with all this questions, you have the Chap Goh Meh to do something about it. Maybe Chap Goh Meh is just another method for our elders to get the unattached attached.

Well, enjoy your Chap Goh Meh! Kung Hey Fatt Choy to you all! May this year bring prosperity and blessings to you! :)