- Our readers share their one-of-a-kind family rules and traditions, such as not killing a particular insect and expressing their gratitude
- This week’s question: What do you do to comfort yourself when you’re feeling nervous?
What unique traditions does your family have? Photo: ShutterstockThis week’s question: What do you do to comfort yourself when you’re feeling nervous?
To take part, drop us a line via this form or email us at [email protected] by 11.59pm on July 13. Tell us your name, age and school.
Last week, we asked our readers, “What is a unique rule or habit your family has?” Here’s what they had to say.
What do you wish your parents would have told you when you were younger?
Chang Yuk-shan, 13, Ho Yu College and Primary School (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen): We can’t kill moths at home. My father believes the insect has been possessed by a deceased person. When there is a moth in the house, it means that person has come to see us.
Mirko Kwok Ching, 14, King Ling College: In my family, we have a habit of sharing. Whether it’s a special occasion or an ordinary day, if my father or I make some treats or new dishes, we always share them with our neighbours. For example, during the “summer holiday” in April, I made steamed buns and shared with my neighbour, Mrs Zhang. She loved them! I will teach my children to show their gratitude to others in this way. As the old saying goes, sharing is caring.
Paul Cheung Yat-ho, 13, CCC Heep Woh College: We cannot cut our nails at night because my mum believes that we could easily get hurt and bleed. She thinks this is a way for bad spirits to enter our bodies.
Lawrence Ma Chun-hin, 13, CCC Heep Woh College: We absolutely must give the birthday boy or girl a gift. We believe that by doing this, it helps us remember the good deeds the person has done and helps us forget the grudges we have towards each other.
Which young artist do you want to introduce to your parents?
Daniel Lee Tsz-tan, 16, Law Ting Pong Secondary School: We have a rule that we cannot use our mobile phones in the toilet. Both my mum and I had been doing it, so we decided to ban it. Anyone caught breaking the rule will be “fined” HK$100. I even put a sign on the bathroom door as a reminder. The rule has helped, though: to save my pocket money, I don’t bring my phone to the toilet any more.
Holly Wei, 15, Kent School (US): My family always eats dumplings before travelling and noodles when we arrive at our destination. It’s a Chinese tradition that refers to saying farewell with dumplings and welcoming with noodles. My parents, my siblings, and I live on three different continents, so we travel a lot and end up eating a lot of dumplings and noodles.
Fion Chow Wing-lam, 14, STFA Leung Kau Kui College: My family always has dinner together. This has become a tradition because we like to talk about our days while we eat. Even if someone comes home late at night, we wait for them.
Rachmat Febriansyah, 14, Ho Yu College and Primary School (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen): My family is Indonesian so we eat at any time of the day, usually when we get hungry or bored. So we might have a heavy meal during snack time. We’ve become used to it.
The secrets we kept from our parents
Boris Cheung Ngai-ching, 13, Maryknoll Fathers’ School: We must use our right hand to hold our chopsticks because my family believes that it brings good luck to the people at the table and assures God will protect them. I am left-handed, so it took me a bit of time to adapt to this tradition.
Valerie Chiu Wing-yee, 12, Holy Angels Canossian School: My family always uses headphones while watching videos or listening to music, even if there is no one else at home. Everyone, except for our poodle, tries to keep the noise down because we don’t want to disturb others. Sometimes, my father even uses headphones over the weekend. People might think this has had an effect on our relationship, but I don’t think so.