Longevity and the chinese people

[moon88]

Dear cecil,
Since chinese people give so much importance to health and longevity and live to a ripe old age. Does that mean there is lack of deadly diseases among chinese people. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
1. Like many cultures, its citizens strive to live to a long life (anyone would certainly love to live a long life). Not sure about today's culture.
2. In the past, it was the hope of many families to take care of their elderly.
3. Perhaps it is due to the strong Confucian teaching and upgrading. Plus the notion of filial piety.
4. In the past, it was certainly a happy occassion to live a ripeful old age, and to see your grand child get married and even see your great grand child!
5. Here, because of the believe of living in an extended family, where, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunties live in the same house or next door.
6. One, always feel loved and respected, because you get to see so many, your children, your grand children, calling you grand mother and paying their respect.
7. If it does not go well with one's ego, then one should not worry about money because, your family will continue to feed you.
8. It is because of this sense of belonging and the cohesiveness of a family unit.
9. Well, I believe that is in the past. Times have changed and many start a family later and have fewer children.
10. In the past, it is not uncommon to get married at e.g. 16 years, bear a child soon after.
11. I remembered, that I had the opportunity to see my great grandmother, when I was young.
12. She had bonded feet, quite a cruel thing to do. In China, in the past, it was good to look pretty with small feet.
13. So from young, these girls, had their feet bandaged so that they will not grow. So, the bone, due to their young age, became deformed.
14. They wear shoes, the size of a mere 3 inches or 7 cm. I really pity them when they walk.
15. Because of the bonded feet, and when one becomes elderly, imagine the tiny feet carrying so much weight. They must be in awful pain walking short distances.
16. In addition, Chinese used to eat healthy food and deserts are a rarity.
17. I did mention that one `secret' weapon to healthy eating habit is the use of the chop stick.
Imagine, trying to gobble down your food with a pair of chopsticks. This is near impossible.
Thus, tiny bits of food has to be picked up and eated.
Of-course, one should not hold one end of a chopstick and try poking the food in the middle. *JOKE*
The equivalent lesson is to `eat Feng Shui' moderately.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 4/21/00 1:28:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
Since chinese people give so
much importance to health and
longevity and live to a ripe
old age. Does that mean there
is lack of deadly diseases
among chinese people. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Chop sticks vs the Western Fork and Spoon
Chop sticks force one to take small portions of food into the mouth... this is the mother of all secret weapon of "eating less"...

Quote

On 4/21/2000 10:56:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear Anon,
1. Like many cultures, its
citizens strive to live to a
long life (anyone would
certainly love to live a long
life). Not sure about today's
culture.
2. In the past, it was the
hope of many families to take
care of their elderly.
3. Perhaps it is due to the
strong Confucian teaching and
upgrading. Plus the notion of
filial piety.
4. In the past, it was
certainly a happy occassion to
live a ripeful old age, and to
see your grand child get
married and even see your
great grand child!
5. Here, because of the
believe of living in an
extended family, where,
brothers and sisters, uncles
and aunties live in the same
house or next door.
6. One, always feel loved and
respected, because you get to
see so many, your children,
your grand children, calling
you grand mother and paying
their respect.
7. If it does not go well with
one's ego, then one should not
worry about money because,
your family will continue to
feed you.
8. It is because of this sense
of belonging and the
cohesiveness of a family unit.
9. Well, I believe that is in
the past. Times have changed
and many start a family later
and have fewer children.
10. In the past, it is not
uncommon to get married at
e.g. 16 years, bear a child
soon after.
11. I remembered, that I had
the opportunity to see my
great grandmother, when I was
young.
12. She had bonded feet, quite
a cruel thing to do. In China,
in the past, it was good to
look pretty with small feet.
13. So from young, these
girls, had their feet bandaged
so that they will not grow.
So, the bone, due to their
young age, became deformed.
14. They wear shoes, the size
of a mere 3 inches or 7 cm. I
really pity them when they
walk.
15. Because of the bonded
feet, and when one becomes
elderly, imagine the tiny feet
carrying so much weight. They
must be in awful pain walking
short distances.
16. In addition, Chinese used
to eat healthy food and
deserts are a rarity.
17. I did mention that one
`secret' weapon to healthy
eating habit is the use of the
chop stick.
Imagine, trying to gobble down
your food with a pair of
chopsticks. This is near
impossible.
Thus, tiny bits of food has to
be picked up and eated.
Of-course, one should not hold
one end of a chopstick and try
poking the food in the middle.
*JOKE*
The equivalent lesson is to
`eat Feng Shui' moderately.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 4/21/00 1:28:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:

Dear cecil,

Since chinese people give so
much importance to health and
longevity and live to a ripe
old age. Does that mean there
is lack of deadly diseases
among chinese people. Thanks.