Christmas- 2001, a travel log revisited
Dec 27th, 2007 by Michael Max
It has been a desire of mine to spend the Christmas holiday season in a non-Christian country. A place without that holy mix of commerce and religion. A place that didn’t blare for months on end the message that if you love someone, you will certainly open your wallets to the merchants. I was hoping to find that here in Buddhist/Taoist Taiwan. Instead, I’ve discovered that along with McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and 7/11. The Taiwanese have imported Christmas.
At first it seemed like a living cartoon. Imitation conifer trees in a land of palms and bougainvillea. The trappings of trees, boughs, and bells. In a land of idols, the baby Jesus is suspicious missing. But, xiao jie don Christmas elf hats, that light up with red stars. Everyone likes to practice their English “Merry Christmas” on the foreigner.
It’s like feeding animals in a zoo.
The newspapers claim the merchants are doing well this year. Better than expected. It is fortune teller’s sign that the economy might be yet alive and kicking. Of course, the political party in power claims responsibility. I am blessed by only being able to understand a little of the hype, and call to buy. Advertising falls on ears that can only unwind a little meaning from the stream of sound, and my eyes can only take in some of the written word. So I am spared the barrage of buy, buy, buy.
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The Sunday paper had a picture of 3,000 Santas parading down Hsin Yi Road. All employees of the Sinopac Bank. Spreading Christmas cheer, and reminding people to contribute to charity.
The front page of today’s Christmas edition of the Taipei Times has Mayor Ma, the mayor of Taipei. Dressed up in white. As an angel. Full length gown, part wedding dress, part Italian renaissance fantasy, complete with white feather wings. He is singing Christmas carols on the steps of city hall.
Christmas in Taiwan is a cross between an epic Cecile B. Demille movie and the Simpsons. It is missing the religious underpinnings that fuel the celebration in the States.
Over here it runs on a nitro mix of the Chinese love of group events, coupled with the desire to adapt the trapping of American culture, and a make your heart go pitter-patter love for flash and glitter.
They go for the tinsel and trimmings like a hungry cutthroat trout goes for a silver spinner.