Valentine’s Day from an elderly Foochow gentleman’s perspective ( yen guong )
Flower shops are busy as Valentine’s day approaches. The new year is also keenly felt as giant onglai ( luck comes ) in the form of pineapples appear every where.
In Sibu, suddenly there are so many cars with different number plates. The streets are more crowded than usual and shopping complexes are busy. Almost all the timber camp workers are back. A sure sign the new year is fast approaching.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it reminds me of an incident a few days ago. It was raining and all us joggers took shelter in a little enclosure. Mostly strangers but perhaps might have passed each other occasionally on the street.
The enclosure.
As the rain did not stop, the people started chatting. A lady started the topic by saying that she had once received 12 roses and a Bonia watch for Valentine’s day. But somehow the relationship didn’t work out. The topics then evolved from the weather to children, husbands and back to Valentine’s Day.
“ I am not really satisfied with my husband. I expected my life to be more comfortable,” said one. Another said she was disappointed because her husband was not yet a success big league but still operating one shop only. From this it became a husband bashing time.
“He will probably buy me chocolates and take the family out for dinner. He has no imagination,” said a lady in an oversized t-shirt.
I felt embarrassed as I felt I shouldn’t be there. It was like I was eavesdropping.
Suddenly, I was jolted to my senses as one of them asked, “ Tauke, what do you think a husband should do on Valentine’s Day? What are you going to do?” and suddenly the whole crowd exploded into loud guffaws. 6 pairs of eyes zeroed in to my ……. as my rain drenched shorts had become partly transparent and clung to my legs like a second skin. No embarrassment : all were adults.
An elderly gentleman whom I know to be once filthy rich and had befallen difficult times recently cleared his throat, “You young people are not at the end stage. You still have many years ahead. Do you know where your future will take you?”.
“You bad-mouth people instead of saying nice things. The bitter things said about your own husbands. You laugh behind their backs. Do you love him or not ? Didn’t you marry him? I can see all of you here are well-fed and well-clothed. You ungrateful bunch of women,” continued the elderly gentleman.
This time there was a deafening silence. The crowd started saying things like it is getting late and the rain is not so heavy now etc. etc. Within a minute the place was deserted except for the old man and me. However I left soon after too as the rain had slowed to a drizzle.
“Why talk about Valentine’s day when you don’t know the meaning of love?,” perhaps was what the old man was trying to say.
It was not altogether a pleasant incident but perhaps it should remind us of what we have and what we have committed ourselves to. Put romance back into our lives.
Happy Valentine’s Day
9 comments Bengbeng | Human interest
Valentine day you candle light dinner with your first or second wife? hahaha
Ah..as if i have the option
_
[...] See how Bengbeng puts it so nicely: … perhaps it should remind us of what we have and what we have committed ourselves to. Put romance back into our lives. [...]
hahaha..the old man put those women in their places!
Bengbeng : It is more a reminder to us of what we should or shouldn’t do
Happy Valentine’s Day to bengbeng and Mrs. bengbeng.
Very nicely written article.
Sometimes Most of the time people failed to appreciate all those good things surrounding – they thought if it is small then it’s unimportant. How very wrong this is. It’s all these small things that make up our happiness… that completes us.
My hubby and I never once go for a romantic Valentine dinner/date throughout our courtship till married. I have never gotten any gifts from him too. Not that he doesn’t want to… it’s just that he can’t afford it, just yet. Anyhow, we are still very much in love and together. It’s the small things he did for me that counts
We have been married for about 6 years now. Known each other for 9 years. If you love someone truly, you wouldn’t mind if he gives you a diamond ring or not.
Bengbeng: Thank you for your frank and straight to the heart comment. I wish you and yr hubby one more century of happiness
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Mrs. Bengbeng. May you rejoice in each other’s company daily.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
it’s valentine’s day almost everyday for me & my other half anyway….
Angel : That’s cool…..good for u!