NEW YEAR festivities are now being celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. The festival—the most important in the Chinese calendar—runs for fifteen days starting 7 February 2008. This is the year of the rat; those born in the rat years are said to be leaders and conquerors.I greeted my colleagues this weekend with an SMS message: “Gong xi fat cha! (Read as Kong hei fat choy!) May the new Chinese year of the rat be cheesy and anything but mousy for you and your loved ones. Rattily, Paul”
Some of the replies I got were not cheesy, but they were cheeky . . . and fun to read!
#1: “Chank chu. Read as Thank u.”
#2: “Same to you. Read as Same to you.”
#3: “Happy new year Jerry!”
#4: “I don't know how you would say it in Chinese but have a great year!”
#5: “Thanks and wish you the same. Cheeeeeese through the year!!”
To all of you, san nin faai lok (happy new year!)! Kung hei fat choy (Congratulations and be prosperous)!
