Season for tying the knot rolls out

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MIRI: The eighth lunar month is approaching – the beginning of a series of auspicious months for couples to tie the knot.

“The three months from September to December are the busiest for the Chinese community in terms of marriage celebrations,” said Lai Chin, a Chinese wedding ornament retailer in an interview with thesundaypost.

“Many people believe that it’s not a good idea to do any wedding preparation during the seventh lunar month as the Month of the Hungry Ghost is ‘ghost-related’ so inauspicious for buying anything for a wedding.

“But business will start to pick up again by the eighth month of the Lunar calendar.”

Lai is considered a pioneer in the wedding retail business here as he has been providing the service for more than 30 years.

He believed that the modern lifestyle practised by the younger generation as well as the economic downturn could have affected the traditional business.

“To be honest, the older generation has a strong tendency to follow tradition, especially when it comes to marriage. All the steps like betrothal gifts, ornaments and old customs are important to help strengthen the marriage and the relationship between the two families,” he said.

Today, many of the customary steps have been dispensed with to save time and money as well as remove the headaches.

“Nonetheless basic items such as a tea set, red umbrella, hand fan, ‘Shuang Xi’ or Chinese character for double happiness, and red cloth still feature. The use of items like ancestor worship templates and candles as well as accessories in various patterns depends on the customer’s needs and religion,” he said.

“Buying wedding ornaments is not like buying vegetables in the market,” Lai pointed out. Years of experience have taught him that different clans have different requirements for a wedding.

Another challenge faced was not everyone would agree to buying old fashion ornaments.

“For example, the young see brightly coloured items as outdated while the spittoon – believed to be a symbol of fertility – is unacceptable. When we come across such cases, we explain the meaning of these items, and if they want to ditch the tradition, we respect their decision. “

Customers from countries like Brunei, New Zealand, Australia and Canada make easier clients as they are more inclined to want to present the best of Chinese culture to their curious foreign friends.

“For them, distance is not a problem as long as they can get a good deal that portrays the culture of their ancestors,” Lai said.

The economic downturn calls for one to be adaptable in adopting a flexible marketing strategy that can keep the business afloat.

“Locals want something economical and practical enough for daily use, even after the wedding day. In fact, most wedding ornaments can be put to good use, especially after having a child. So we let them buy only the things they need at one price.

“It is a matter of adapting to different customers with different needs, though some of the younger generation might want to do away with customary practices.

“I would say it’s not so much about profit-making as to educate the young on getting acquainted with their roots.”