Today,for the sake of convenience many families choose to have the Reunion Dinner in restaurants packed with others of the same breed.This actually defeats the meaning of the reunion.As the name implies reunion is the re gathering of family members who may come from far and its a chance for family members to return to the family house and be with each other.
The actual meal eaten is not that important .It can be a few simple dishes but the important thing is that family members gather round the dining table and eat together in the family house and each away member would update the rest of the family on what has happened to him or her throughout the year.Imagine trying to do this in a noisy restaurant!
Reunion is the time when the children come home to their roots after being away from home.However simple the meal,its significance must not be overlooked.For us the fact that we have 4 girls makes the reunion dinner a bit more valuable as according to tradition the girls must eat with the man's family.This is questionable!In the days when the man was the sole breadwinner and the girl stays in the man's home it was understandable.But today ,women are independent earning their own keep and frankly what have they got to do with the other side's parents unless they get along very well and the other parents treat them like their own children??It seems to make the reunion kinda farcical .We treat our sons in laws like our own children and as an encouragement for them to eat with us mum always has a favourite dish prepared for each of them .
I cant imagine how family members would feel having to eat in a crowded,noisy restaurant eating all the commercial food on Chinese New year eve and what sort of reunion the dinner would turn out to be!!!
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i feel the same sentiment...although traditionally me as the DIL has to be at the inlaws for Reunion, it really is meaningless unless I foster a good relationship with the inlaws. But guess that will take time, coz I could never love them like i love you and mom :) .I think eating at inlaws alternate years would be the best solution, as the husband would also want to hv reunion dinner with his parents. Alternatively, lunch at inlaws, dinner in Ipoh...only because of convenience...Ohwell, play by ear. Nothing's impossible!
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