Cleaning Challenges in Southern China: The Struggle of Preparing for Chinese New Year
As Chinese New Year approaches, a unique set of challenges that many Northern Chinese may not be familiar with can make the celebration a bit more stressful. In Southern China, particularly in the province of Guangdong, the humid weather can make tasks like cleaning and dusting a real pain.
A Twitter user posting under the username "珠海轮胎批发小黄" (@zhoutirefarenghuang) posted a message that quickly went viral, highlighting a common issue faced by Guangdong residents during the Christmas celebrations. The post read, "离春节还有12天，过年的仪式感从大扫除开始！据@深圳天气 消息，31日至2月2日多云间阴天，天气趋于暖湿，早晚有轻雾或雾，伴有“回南天”。当回南天遇上广东人过年最怕的环节是种什么体验？刷板凳、刷红木沙发的洞洞、擦楼梯扶手……新年大扫除你们开始了吗?"
For those who are not familiar with Southern China's climate, "回南天" refers to a humid weather phenomenon that occurs in the spring season. During this time, moisture in the air condenses on the surfaces of buildings, making them appear wet. This makes tasks such as cleaning and dusting furniture extremely difficult, as any dampness can cause damage to upholstery and wood.
Despite the difficulties, many individuals in Guangdong find themselves getting involved in cleaning and tidying their homes as a part of their New Year's preparations. The Twitter user's post has received over 2200 retweets and 3000 likes, indicating that many people across the province can relate to the struggle of cleaning during the holiday season.
Responses to the tweet have been varied, with some people expressing their sympathy and others offering advice on how to tackle the task. One user, posting under the username "媚惑纹链" (@meihuowenlian), shared a video showcasing the difficulty of cleaning during the "回南天" season. In the video, they can be seen struggling to clean their window sill while the moisture from the damp air causes their hands to stick to it. The caption read, "关于放假回家比上班还忙的那件事 大扫除的我玉玉了每年洗到累爆 真的很害怕 除了沙发还有楼梯扶手 窗子 不敢想 完全不敢想" (Translation: "[On] the thing that makes going back home for a holiday even busier than work, doing a big cleaning makes me exhausted. I really hate it. Besides the sofa, there are stair handrails and windows. I dare not even imagine it.")
Others share their stories of cleaning their furniture, which can prove to be a daunting task during the humid season. A user posting under the username "总" (@zong) shared a picture of a redwood sofa that had been cleaned, stating that they had "already cleaned for a week." They added, "哈哈哈 我广东的," (Translation: "Hahaha, I'm from Guangdong."), expressing their relatability to the struggle.
Another user, posting under the username "王鼎钧" (@wandingjun), shared an insightful opinion on the challenges faced by Guangdong residents during this time. They wrote, "我说，小时候我认为人在过年的时候很虚伪，笑容满面，打躬作揖，句句话为你增福添寿，人平素哪是这个样子？现在我有个想法，人生有很多痛苦，而大部分痛苦是人与人互相伤害造成的，所谓理想国就是人与人不再互相伤害，而是互相增添对方的快乐。过年ществу
然而，过年清理家具时，也有许多广东人表示这是一个让他们十分头疼的问题。他们认为红木家具上的洞洞和楼梯扶手等难洗的地方尤其令人烦恼。此外，潮湿的天气还会导致家里的衣服难以晾干，使得清理工作变得更加困难。
Overall, cleaning during the "回南天" season can pose a significant challenge for many Guangdong residents. However, this has not stopped them from continuing to clean and prepare their homes for the upcoming holiday. Although there may be some difficulty involved, the joy and traditions of Chinese New Year are still celebrated with much enthusiasm.