Random Thoughts by Pauline

 December 15 2013, Sunday

 Dinner

Next Sunday, December 22 is  winter solstice. Already throughout this week, families are dining out to celebrate this important traditional feast day of harvest and family reunion. Our family will have this dinner on December 21, Saturday. This evening, as we were dining at a small table tucked away at a corner of the restaurant, we saw big tables of families, sometimes four generations of the elderly in wheelchairs,  toddlers, babies in high chairs, the parents and domestic helpers crowded round a table, the size of which was not for such a big party! But they were all happily enjoying the meal, the conversation and even the noise. Of course, some had their eyes glued to their phones or were passing around the phones sharing photos etc. Yet, they were in each other's company. Times are different and we have to allow changes. We cannot ask the young to pocket their phones during meal time.That is what families are for,  supporting, tolerating and appreciating one another. This is one of the core values of Hong Kong we should all uphold!