过年How?: Reflecting on the Darker Side of Chinese New Year
We quiz some long-term Beijingers on how they intend to spend this year's Chinese New Year and hopefully uncover some horror stories along the way. 过年 How, y'all?
Greg Young has been embedded in the capital's art scene since 2014, when he became an editor at one of China's leading independent institutions of contemporary art, the UCCA, in the heart of 798. Two years later, he made the jump to the nearby M Woods as communications officer, overseeing retrospectives and exhibitions from the likes of Andy Warhol, Lu Yang, Paul McCarthy, and the ongoing color explosion that is Swiss artist Nicolas Party's solo exhibition.
Despite his successes heading up shows from some of the biggest names in art, he's since decided to try his hand at account management at a PR firm. Below we catch up with Young to see what a usual Spring Festival in China looks like for him, divulging the darker side of what stressors of the holiday can bring.
What's your full name, title, and where are you from?
My name is Greg Young. I am from Birmingham, Alabama.
What does your average CNY entail? Where are you headed this year?
For several years now, the renewal of my residence permit has coincided with CNY, so I rarely get a chance to travel. I’ll be heading to iBooks for a celebrity memoir or two and @foodnetwork on Instagram for a food porn feast while my fave restaurants go on holidays or just get shut down – it is Beijing after all.
Which dishes do you particularly look forward to gorging on every year?
Hongshao pork!
What are three tips for avoiding the excesses of eating and drinking that CNY is defined by?
Hedonism is one of the paths to enlightenment. So indulge yourself.
How do you deflect awkward family questions?
To avoid awkward questions, my strategy is to take the offensive and ask others the awkward questions they’re longing to ask me. Redirect people’s attention. Never be led in conversation. Always be fast with a compliment. Never complain in front of parents. Do not criticize your partner’s family (in front of them).
What are you going to spend your hongbao haul on?
Ain’t nobody gonna give me a hongbao.
Do you think this year's New Year Gala will include: racism, sexism, ageism, or all of the above?
Well, they did racism last year. But maybe they’ve invited Mark Zuckerberg for a song and dance now that Facebook and the Chinese economy seem to need each other again.
What do you predict the Year of the Pig holds for you?
Press releases peppered with pigs from now until May.
Tell us about a particular CNY nightmare that you've encountered.
Many years ago, I had an older ex-boyfriend, some might call him a sugar daddy, a former resident of South Africa originally from Shenyang. We tried to stay friends, one of those mistakes you make it your early twenties. Looking back on it, I’m sure it made his actual boyfriend at the time uncomfortable. His boyfriend had an odd name, Zuguo, which means "homeland." It’s, perhaps less common than a name like Jianguo, "build the country," but has a similar kind of generational logic.
Anyway, all three of us were celebrating xiaonian [the prelude to the Lunar New Year's Eve celebration] at a Northeast-themed dumpling restaurant called Dongbei. There was one in Dongzhimen and another on Xiaoyun Road by Liangmaqiao. My ex loved eating there because he could talk Dongbeihua with the staff and drink liberally without much gawking from other customers. He loved to ask the waiters who looked younger: me or him. And they always said we looked chabuduo, about the same. This was a nightmare in itself as he was a good 20 years older than me, but then Zuguo received a call from a coworker. “Tiao lou le?” Zuguo shouted into the phone. Apparently, a colleague had jumped from their office building on Finance Street. He said it again and again, and it seemed he might cry. Finally, with our table full of dumplings and dipping sauce, we decided to go.
Though we’ve since fallen out of touch, I still think about that evening every year during xiaonian, still hear the drop in Zuguo’s voice. One can only wish for better luck in the new year.
If you, or someone you know, is in suicidal crisis, please click here for a link to a list of mental health support services in Beijing and China.
Photo courtesy of Greg Young
