This is entitled "Freedom" with a question mark just to remind us that sometimes not everything is "freedom". Many people have said that now, the youth have got freedom to do whatever they want. To a certain extent its true. However, if we look closer, sometimes youth have to behave in a manner that society permits. Hence, are we free? But are these behaviour necessary?
This story is about a family of 6, father, mother and 4 children, 3 girls and a boy. This story describes a situation when they had a very joyous event - one of the daughters got married. Indeed, all parents dreams of this day when their pride and joy is making them proud.
In a typical chinese wedding scenario, the groom and his entourage will come to the bride's house to "fetch" the bride. The "fetch" is not so easy as it seems. The groom seems to need the "approval" of the bride's "bodyguards". .......Hey, they are here...shouted Sam, the youngest of the family, also the only son. Everyone got excited. "Ok, everyone this is the plan, Sister Shirley you stall him (the groom) at the front door, while we fix the props"...he he he he this would be grand...declared Sam. Sam went off to prepare the "props"...2 hula hoops and 2 milk bottles!
"Ok...my future brother-in-law"...called out Sam to Ben, the groom, ..."This is what you need to do....we are now going to compete...who will be faster...... on our side..we have Mei Mei who will do the hula hoop for us...now you need to choose someone to do it..if no one volunteers...you do it!" Ben looked alarm, he was not prepared for this, his suit is all white! White shows dirt very easily...and this is only 9am in the morning...they have more events towards the day. Luckily, Ah Fatt volunteered. However, Mei mei won, Ah Fatt was out of practice. Sam sniggered and said, "looks like this is 1 - 0 for the girls side"..."now for the 2nd event...the milk bottle"..."we want to see how fast you drink the bottle..."...This time Ben was smarter, he ripped the cap and drank the milk. Sam said, "okay...now it seems its 1 - 1...Since, its your day, we let you win...but you need to do a declaration of your love for my sister." .....Sam pushing a piece of paper to Ben. Ben is supposed to use lipstick and to declare whatever its written loudly. ......Now Shirley (the sister) took over. Ben played along and declared his undying love. Shirley shouted out..."hey thats not loud enough...say it louder". This went on for about 30 mins....and while this is going on, the groom's entourage seemed annoyed with this play. The groom's aunt muttered softly, "just ask her whether she wants to be with you as the wife, if she does not answer, lets go back." ....And finally, Shirley relented...and...the ceremony carried on. Sam was unhappy as he was not able to carry on whatever plans he had. When Sam was reprimanded by his elders, he glared at the elder and said .."Now its my turn to do this, next time, other people will do on me....so we will be even". ....
Then the whole team, comprising of the groom and bride side went to the restaurant for the lunch. Sam...was very happy....as his sister got married....he went around pouring liquor all around.....encouraging them to drink.....and Sam drank along with them. Sam's face was getting red as a lobster! .....Still....he went along pouring and drinking. Many of the elder relatives were unhappy with Sam's behaviour......Why?
Sam was at that time 17 years old!.......
(All these actions which Sam did is unnecessary. There is no need to make a fool of the brother-in-law, although some tastefully done activities can be played to make the event happier...but all these has a certain limit. To you is happiness....but have you thought of other people? ....All those "botttoms up" drinking, is it necessary to show to people that you can drink and still be alright?)
In a typical chinese wedding scenario, the groom and his entourage will come to the bride's house to "fetch" the bride. The "fetch" is not so easy as it seems. The groom seems to need the "approval" of the bride's "bodyguards". .......Hey, they are here...shouted Sam, the youngest of the family, also the only son. Everyone got excited. "Ok, everyone this is the plan, Sister Shirley you stall him (the groom) at the front door, while we fix the props"...he he he he this would be grand...declared Sam. Sam went off to prepare the "props"...2 hula hoops and 2 milk bottles!
"Ok...my future brother-in-law"...called out Sam to Ben, the groom, ..."This is what you need to do....we are now going to compete...who will be faster...... on our side..we have Mei Mei who will do the hula hoop for us...now you need to choose someone to do it..if no one volunteers...you do it!" Ben looked alarm, he was not prepared for this, his suit is all white! White shows dirt very easily...and this is only 9am in the morning...they have more events towards the day. Luckily, Ah Fatt volunteered. However, Mei mei won, Ah Fatt was out of practice. Sam sniggered and said, "looks like this is 1 - 0 for the girls side"..."now for the 2nd event...the milk bottle"..."we want to see how fast you drink the bottle..."...This time Ben was smarter, he ripped the cap and drank the milk. Sam said, "okay...now it seems its 1 - 1...Since, its your day, we let you win...but you need to do a declaration of your love for my sister." .....Sam pushing a piece of paper to Ben. Ben is supposed to use lipstick and to declare whatever its written loudly. ......Now Shirley (the sister) took over. Ben played along and declared his undying love. Shirley shouted out..."hey thats not loud enough...say it louder". This went on for about 30 mins....and while this is going on, the groom's entourage seemed annoyed with this play. The groom's aunt muttered softly, "just ask her whether she wants to be with you as the wife, if she does not answer, lets go back." ....And finally, Shirley relented...and...the ceremony carried on. Sam was unhappy as he was not able to carry on whatever plans he had. When Sam was reprimanded by his elders, he glared at the elder and said .."Now its my turn to do this, next time, other people will do on me....so we will be even". ....
Then the whole team, comprising of the groom and bride side went to the restaurant for the lunch. Sam...was very happy....as his sister got married....he went around pouring liquor all around.....encouraging them to drink.....and Sam drank along with them. Sam's face was getting red as a lobster! .....Still....he went along pouring and drinking. Many of the elder relatives were unhappy with Sam's behaviour......Why?
Sam was at that time 17 years old!.......
(All these actions which Sam did is unnecessary. There is no need to make a fool of the brother-in-law, although some tastefully done activities can be played to make the event happier...but all these has a certain limit. To you is happiness....but have you thought of other people? ....All those "botttoms up" drinking, is it necessary to show to people that you can drink and still be alright?)
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