I can’t remember when was the last time I had any anticipation for Mid-Autumn Festival, nor any other traditional festivals. Things have changed a lot. We no longer live in the era of scarce supplies, where people had to buy food, drink, and almost everything they needed using government issued coupons (which has a limit for the products that a single person can buy each month). We now have Carrefour, Walmart, Tesco, and numerous local supermarkets surrounding our communities like money sucking machines. Everything is overly supplied. The promo ladies are trying everything they can to sell us things we don’t need, and we take this as a sign of prosperity, wealth, fast growing economy, security, quality life, and happiness itself.
But, when was the last time that you actually enjoyed a piece of moon cake? There are 100 times more types of flavors than before. The manufacturers brain storm every day in their offices trying to think of new flavors and stuffings so that they will have another hype to market with. Some even made “golden” moon cakes that sells 9,999 RMB per piece. Well packaged and overly priced moon cakes are proliferating in every supermarket, department store, local grocery, and even online shop. They become a new type of gift that you can give to your friends, parents, and bosses as a sign of friendship, love, and loyalty (or a reminder for promotion?). We just don’t eat them anymore. They travel from hands to hands until they get rotten in trash.
Years ago, most moon cakes were home made. No fancy packaging and complicated stuffing, and they even seemed ugly from the outside. But, they tasted DELICIOUS! Having moon cakes was an important part that every family member anticipates on the day of the festival. Followed by various celebrations, Mid-Autumn Festival used to be a major event of the year. Now it’s no different with any other day. Except that parents may have an opportunity to see their children coming back from other cities (this was impossible until the government agreed to issue a 3 day vacation last year).
I don’t eat moon cakes any more and I don’t have any anticipation for the festival because I feel that a very important ingredient is missing. I really wonder what it is.
Do you have similar feelings towards traditional festivals? No matter if you are a native Chinese or from overseas, share your thoughts by leaving your comments below.
