Being married to a Japanese lady, I picked up this book to refresh my understanding of Chinese customs because ofc I romanticise Japanese culture like nobody’s business. The fact that this book is superbly easy to navigate, with colourful pictures on the left and large, simple explanations on the right, made me set aside time to dive into my heritage.

I have to confess that I remain woefully ignorant of my culture. For example, I never knew that red packets arose from an ancient custom involving parents tying 8 coins together with red string; I never knew that those large pieces of cloth displayed outside Chinese funerals are called blankets; and I actually didn’t know that couples eat pomelos during Mooncake Festival because they hope to bear a son. Oops. Culture quiz FAIL.

Okay, maybe I exaggerate because I do know the rationale behind the remaining 17 customs.

I’m surprised that the custom of Chinese hanging 福 (prosperity) upside down on their front door during Chinese New Year didn’t make it to the book. I would say that that is the quintessential Chinese custom!

I would be interested in a follow-up book that explores the extent to which the Chinese in different nations follow these 20 customs - and whether there are variations in the practices. I will also be interested to read a sequel that explains why different societies celebrate the same custom. Case in point: Okinawa people celebrate Qing Ming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival. #proudtobechinese