Fruit

In todays society people's lives are consumed by workng, family, and bills. Today, people in the modern world are accustomed to seeing skyscrapers, polluted streets, and many businesses. People in our modern era are more likely to eat out than cook a meal at home. The more people eat out, the less they can enjoy cooking. Foods made for selection are usually those that an ethnicity prefers. Foods that are a cultural norm to one group can be taboo to another. Is it possible that because peoples lives are so consumed they fail to give signigifigance to something like a fruit? Well the Chinese do.

One family of fruit that symbolizes a lot to the chinese people is the Citrus family. When Americans think about Oranges or Tangerines they think of breakfast or a snack. For the Chinese it symbolizes something big. According to Flavor and Fortune an "Orange means a prayer or wish for good fortune." This fruit is one of the most common fruit that are offered and are usually eaten on the second day of the new year. It's weird that they wouldn't eat it on the first day, but this is because an emperor offered Oranges to his officals on the second day. So by doing this you are representing "Officaldom". Which means to welcome more regime in Asia.

The mandarin, another fruit part of the citrus family is usually given to a woman by her in-laws the day of her wedding. She is to peal them at the ceremony, and share it with her husband. This symbolizes "a happy and full life together" for the newlyweds. This is not the only thing it means. In cantanese the word mandarin means gold. So not only are the in-laws wishing them happiness and a long beautiful life together, but they are also wishing them a lot of wealth.

One fruit that's not part of the citrus and does not represent happiness is the pear. According to Flavor and Fortune the chinese do not like to share a pear with their partner because it means seperation. So they do not give pears as gifts.It is said to not give a pear to a friend on the seventh or fifteenth day of the month because you will be wishing "separation on someone they love."

It's interesting how all these fruits have a meaning, and to most people it's just something to eat. People tend to overlook nature, and everything that it means. One thing that means nothing to one person, can mean a lot to another. Which is why we should always have open minds about everything we encounter during our lives.

http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=27

Xenia

Xenia is the concept of hospitality and generosity to strangers. Then in return the stranger will tell stories about where they are from and about their traveling. I think this concept really sucks. I would hate to have to treat some random person that walks into my home nice and with respect. I would not know if that person could be trusted or not. Once the person is in your home, you have to basically do everything for them. You have to feed them, and provide them with everything they please or need.

What I find the most interesting about this concept is that you cannot ask your guest any questions. I think that’s ridiculous, in these times no one will let a stranger in their home especially if they don’t know why the person needs your hospitality. I am surprised that this concept was created, because we all know that is really hard to trust people, especially someone who just walks up to your doors and tells you they need to come into your home.

The Greek god Zeus created this concept, which is why I believe it was actually followed. For example if this concept was to be reinforced again, no one would follow it, because in those days the Greek people felt like the gods were always watching them. So if they didn’t follow it they felt they will be punished by the gods. Now, if this was enforced no one would care because there is no one to watch us or tell us that what we are doing is wrong.

-- Emely

Sources:

Disscusion in class

http://en.allexperts.com/e/x/xe/xenia_%28greek%29.htm