Lunar New Year
In traditional Chinese society, the first 2 days of Chinese New Year were spent with family. by days 3 and 4 things were starting to get a bit tense. They it was time to go out and spend time with friends.
Traditionally, it was customary for Chinese people to spend Chinese New Year’s Eve and the first two days of the New Year with family. Married daughters would return home on the second day of the Chinese New Year in order to be with them.
By days three and four, things could – quite understandably – start getting a bit tense. A bit like Christmas in the West!
To avoid arguments, it was therefore considered best to steer clear of relatives on the third and fourth days of the New Year. So most people would take advantage of these days to visit their friends and neighbours.
Nowadays, many would probably head for the cinema or the nearest shopping mall – or in the case of me and my friends, the nearest karaoke bar.
Traditionally, Chinese New Year celebrations would continue through Day 15, when the Lantern Festival was held.