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Q: Spring Festival: Sacrificing 1-2 weeks for what?
I only have 2 vacations per year. One week during national day and one week during Spring Festival. I'll be damned if I'm going to spend both pleasing the inlaws by being paraded around to every single hot pot dinner with friends. The truth is that I am the group's novelty item. This year, my wife and I made plans to go to the hot springs nearby. We love this place. But, my wife's mother insisted that we stay longer at her brother's place in another city. So, we conceded and sacrificed another day and a half to make everyone happy. There were 12 people staying at the uncle's house, so I was sleeping (spooning it) with my wife's (brother) cousin who snores really loud. You can't go to bed or wake up when you want to, because you're sleeping in the living room next to the bathroom. Heck, liberty to use the bathroom when you need to disappears. Even though you are bored out of your mind sitting next to grandma and grandpa watching old Japanese war movies; you can't spend the entire time outside at a coffee house in fear of looking anti social or rude. Yet no one else is being social, they just camp in front of the TV. We finally left the uncle's house and headed in another direction. This time to have dinner in another city with friends of the parents. All I can think about is the 2 days we're going to have at the hot springs, alone. At dinner, the family friends tell us they have booked a table for lunch the next day. My wife says that we MUST go to lunch with them. I said, "NO! We're going to the hot springs." Well, after an argument, silent treatment and guilt trips, we're staying to have lunch with the family friends, because "lunch just wouldn't be complete without the FOREIGNER." It's the stress of Christmas, but it lasts longer and is less comfortable. I should be thankful that I'm not spending the holiday alone, even though that's exactly what I want to do. Other stories?
Don't worry, something will come in the way of your hot springs plans....
Spontaneous in China equals disaster. The more people are involved, the worse it gets. Everyone always have to wait for everyone else to do last minute planning. If something isn't planned I don't do it, and if something is planned I will assume plans will change.
I know why you compare it to xmas, however, for me xmas has always been planned well in advance, all involved would know what would be going on, people would participate to the extend they want/can etc. I really envy the girl that got to spin around for 4 hours, she must have had the best Spring Festival ever.
i can feel you...
for me it not as bad but i have 15 days + national holidays so i am in a better boat.
anyways
october week - in laws
spring festival - in laws
christmas - my parents
summer - my parents
yeah actually we have never time to spend holiday by ourselves. but this year i really wanna go to the maledives
Nessquick:
October week - me and whiskey
spring festival - me and whiskey
Christmas - me and whiskey
summer - me and whiskey
Sometimes I take my whiskey for a trip to wife's hometown 
dom87:
did i say that it also costs tons of money?
15k for each trip back to my parents and tons of presents for in laws
Different story...
. My wife is from Liaoning but we live in Xiamen, so - pretty far. Her parents are separated, never met her dad. Her mom comes here for a month (2nd year now). She doesn't care what we do and doesn't know anyone here. My winter holiday is around 2 months. Went to Cambodia for 3 weeks, now I'll sit on my ass till the 18th - first school day.
Dude, i think your wife is kina a B with an itch. She obviously knows how uncomfortable it is for you and she doesnt seem to give a damn. You need to man up. I stayed with my wifes family for the important two days, she told her family tough luck, were staying in a hotel, then she stayed behind and i left to go travel and drink with friends. My wife understands km uncomfortable and thus tells me to screw off and be happy. aAfter those two days away, i picked her up and we had the rest of the week with no family free to do as we pleased.
Point is, your not a monkey or an ATM your wife needs to learn whats up quick...
That is the type of vacation that will make you appreciate going back to work. That sounded rough and I cant compare a story but even my own family is tiresome during the holidays.
