I haven’t had a good Friday night for a long time. This weekend was a lifesaver.

Lovable C and I were itching to do something, which turned into movie night. With Ajisen Ramen. And Magic Hat. To top it all off, the movie was fabulous, aside from the cliche’d ending. It was great to be able to relate to a movie so closely, and we had a jovial (yes somewhat saddenned) hypothetical conversation about how our own parents would react if we told them we were gay or pregnant. (Pregnant would go over so much better. Clearly the lesser of two evils in the eyes of an Asian parent.)

Today is International Singles’ Day. Best invention ever, right? There is so much about that Wikipedia article that makes me happy.

First of all, leave it up to China to come up with something like that. I’ve always admired the way Chinese culture, despite repressions/oppressions of many kinds, has been able to handle Western taboos with such blunt honesty. You could always count on Chinese people to ask you about your salary, your health/weight, and your relationship status. All within 15 minutes of meeting you for the first time.

I also love the bit about the traditions for this “holiday”.

The main way to celebrate Singles Day is to have dinner with your single friends, but it’s important that each person pay their own way to show their independence. People also hold ‘blind date’ parties in an attempt to bid goodbye to their single lives.

Chinese people have always had the habit to congregate at any occasion. The collective nature of the Chinese people has been… well, troublesome, most of the time (see: Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, etc). When it comes to relationships, it’s not uncommon for people to mobilize friends, family and colleagues to find that suitable mate. My parents have often hinted that, should I run into any issues “finding someone”, I should go to them for help. I dread the day I have to sit through a date set up by my parents.