One of my contacts in China who supplies pillows to one of our manufacturers (Pillowtex) recently shared the following with me about the Chinese New Year:
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About New Year usually it last half month ,from end of last year until 15th of first month of new year (accorrding to Chinese Lunar Calender),This year begins Feb 2nd(end of year 2010 for Chinese Lunar Calender, and holiday will last until Feb17th,we call”Latern Holiday at that day the moon in sky is most round one)
Usually old generation will make wish and pray for good health,better life ….,people used to light firebrakers to frighten the beat or monster (there goes a old story ,in ancient time ,a lot bad animals or monsters they often destroy the crops and people’s house etc…people get together and make some loud voice to make them scare,so people invent firbraker and light it generation after generation….
in Spring festival,No matter how far one is away from hometown ,they will try their best to back hometown within end daynight of last year (we call Eve of Chinese New Year,Feb 2nd for this year )People get together dancing,do some team work ,,relatives visit relatives with gifts ….elder generation give younger generation some new money wraped by red paper (we call “Yasuiqian” 压岁钱，younger generation need to show their respect to old generation by knee down…. three times…
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People will often argue that it is important to only buy products “Made in the USA.” Now, I am extremely loyal to the United States. This is evidenced by the fact that I served on active duty in the Marine Corps and continue to serve as a Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps Reserve. However, I also believe in capitalism and see value in global economic exchange. As such, I see trade with China as by far the United States’ best approach to dealing with that country. By intertwining the economies of China and the United States so closely that failure of either economy has a huge impact on the other partner, there is a tremendous incentive not to ever engage in open hostilities or extreme international policy. Additionally, I see tremendous value in cultural exchange like the one I recently engaged in with our supplier about the Chinese New Year. Such exchange encourages a diversity of thought and a larger marketplace of ideas that better everyone involved. Thus, while loyalty to one’s country and economy is important, economic and cultural exchange with other countries is also critical. Pacific Pillows will always try to balance serving the interest of the United States’ economy with the need for the United States for its own good to have its economy tied to those of our global partners. Just my two cents and why Pacific Pillows carries both pillows Made in the USA and pillows Made in China. Either way, Happy New Year and Happy Chinese New Year!
