Forum: Make time to visit elderly loved ones this Chinese New Year
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I have observed that in recent years, home visits during the Chinese New Year have become less common due to technology.
Some people find it more convenient and easier to connect online, especially via phone messaging apps, during the festive period.
However, older people who are living on their own still strongly attach importance to home visits by their children or grandchildren. To them, family ties and values cannot be strengthened through electronic devices.
The elderly also want to preserve the tradition of giving and receiving physical hongbao (red packets) as they believe that love and respect can only be felt by human touch and face-to-face interaction.
While I strongly support the use of technology to make communication faster and easier, it can be difficult for the elderly to stay socially connected, especially with family members, through gadgets and devices.
As we welcome the Chinese New Year, it will be good for the younger generation to make time to visit their elderly loved ones and give them physical hongbao instead of e-hongbao.
By doing so, it will remind us of our roots and culture, and above all, our filial affection for our seniors.
Jeffrey Law Lee Beng
