Showing respect for seniors
Dads have Father's Day. Moms have Mother's Day. Kids have Children's Day. But, do our grandparents have a special holiday? Yes, they do!
The Double Ninth Festival is a special day for elderly people in China. The festival isthe ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar (阴历). As the Chinese word for nine has the same sound as the word for long, people take the Double Ninth Festival to show (they) wishes of long life for elderly people.
There are many traditions for this festival. On that day, (family) get together and climb mountains for luck and in the hope that elderly people will live much longer. They also drink chrysanthemum wine (菊花酒) and wear a plant. (call) zhuyu to celebrate it. Both chrysanthemum zhuyu are regarded as clean plants that can clean houses and cure (治愈) diseases.
Respecting elderly people is shown not only on this special day but also in daily life. For example, when an older person enters room, everyone stands up. When there are several guests at the table, the host usually introduces them from the (old) to the youngest. When a younger person is presenting something to an older person, two hands(use). On a crowded subway or bus, younger people always offer their seats to elderly people.
It is a(tradition) virtue (美德) in China to respect elderly people. That's because the Chinese know that elderly people have knowledge and experuence that young people can learn from. So Chinese people are proud of (be) old. Besides, to respect the elderly people is to respect yourself tomorrow.
