6 Very ‘Mafan’ Struggles Every M’sian Can Confirm Relate to at Chinese New Year Open Houses

We Malaysians love our open houses. Just name any public holiday, confirm that there will be open house party one! Sometimes even Merdeka got open house weh, let alone prosperous celebrations such as Chinese New Year.

CNY open houses are definitely super fun, but there are a few ‘mafan’ (troublesome) struggles that all of us who have ever hosted or attended one can definitely relate to. From people commenting on your weight to guests coming too early, here are a few that hit just too close to home.

1. When you have no idea who that person is and how to properly address them

Source: cmu.edu

That leng lui looks familiar, but not quite. Is that a friend’s spouse or your cousin? Or is that your auntie who looks young for her age? If she’s your auntie, which side of the family is she from? Should you call her shen-shen or jiu-ma?

Ahh, so complicated! Maybe it’s best to just avoid the whole open house then!

2. When your overachiever cousin is present

Source: 3ciety

Oh no, not this relative again! Great, he’s already talking to your parents. Here comes the “Ah boy, why can’t you be more like your cousin?” questions and the subsequent comparison from kindergarten to your decision to be a writer instead of pursuing law like him. *Cries in Chinese*

Oh biao ge, why you have to be so successful ah?

3. Having to deal with busybody personal questions from relatives and friends

Source: Youtube

It seems no CNY open house is complete without listening to the same naggy aunties and uncles asking you awkward questions. Good thing your friends are attending the same open house right? They’ll definitely have your back!

Nope. Instead, they join in with your relatives as a tag team to beat down your confidence levels.

“When are you getting married?”

“Got girlfriend or not?”

“Change job again ah? Why?!”

The constant badgering of questions is a recurring CNY soundtrack that puts a damper on the festivities. You can run but you can’t hide because the questions will still arrive. So, better face it head on then trying to avoid it altogether right?

Worry not as we’ve listed a few tips for you to handle these unwanted interrogations:

• Don’t take the questions too seriously! Sometimes they’re just your relatives’ way to start up a conversation
• Try and change the topic by highlighting something that your relatives or friends are interested in such as sports and current issues
• One cheeky way is to divert their attention to another relative or friend while you secretly make your escape

Alternatively, considering you’re at a CNY open house, combat this situation by supplying them with tantalising, delicious food. Even better, keep their mouths busy with some refreshing Strongbow Apple Cider!

Because when everyone is busy enjoying Strongbow, all you hear is the sweet, serene sounds of them going “sip, sip, ah…”, giving a new soundtrack to your festivities!

This Chinese New Year, Strongbow Apple Ciders is introducing its first-ever ‘CNY Refreshed’ album to give a new lease of life to the challenging questions and statements by friends and family at every annual CNY reunion.

With a playlist of five tingle-inducing tunes created to refresh these common situations, consumers can now enjoy the festive experience to the fullest.

The ‘CNY Refreshed’ album features tracks inspired by typical Chinese New Year scenarios, such as:

• Being asked when you’re getting married
• Being judged for your life choices
• Listening to a relative bragging about their latest achievement and so on like a broken record

That’s definitely the most mafan part about CNY open houses!

For a prosperous, nag-free festivity this CNY, tune in to Cnyrefreshed.my for some invigorating autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) tracks made of what Strongbow loves the most – the refreshing sounds of apple ciders – which will turn every exhausting moment into a rejuvenating one.

Psst, keep an ear out for a Drinkies promo code hidden in each track which gives you RM5 off on any Strongbow 4-bottle pack!

Redeemable at Drinkies.my from now until 17 February 2019, let the sound of a refreshing Strongbow Apple Ciders be your default soundtrack this CNY.

Wah, nice. From mafan to so fun in an instant!

4. When it’s finally your turn to give out ang pows

Source: Actualdayphotgrapher

Instead of receiving now it’s your turn to give out! Yes, it’ll put a dent in your wallet but it’s the joy of spreading prosperity that counts! Right? What is the appropriate amount to put inside though, especially the ang pows for the kids? RM5? RM10? RM50? Eh, confirm broke if give RM50 each!

Well, there’s no set amount so just give whatever you’re comfortable with or financially capable of. It’s the thought that counts!

5. When people keep commenting on your weight

Source: Purduepermias

“Wah, how come you look so fat now? Looking very ‘prosperous’ these days ah?”

BAM! Right in the heart (and stomach). These are words that you dread to hear in any situation, let alone at a social gathering such as a CNY open house.

Of course, the endless supply of delicious bak kwa in these open houses doesn’t help either.

6. When guests RSVP at the last minute or don’t RSVP at all

Source: Purduepermias

Planning an open house is hard! Especially when your invitees don’t bother to RSVP to confirm their attendance. Aiya, how to prepare the appropriate amount of food like that? Some even come as early as 9am when you clearly wrote ‘lunch hour’ in the invitation.

Plus, don’t get us started on those who bring an unexpected plus one with them!

Well, one way to get your guests to RSVP promptly is by having Strongbow Apple Ciders in your open house!

The World’s No. 1 Cider, Strongbow Apple Ciders is naturally refreshing and the perfect drink for your CNY festivities. It refreshes your social occasions and turns them into golden moments! Made from real apples, Strongbow is best enjoyed over ice.

Strongbow has 4 variants of Apple Ciders available:

• Gold Apple
• Dark Fruit
• Elderflower in a bottle
• British Dry in draught

For more information on the great refreshing taste of Strongbow Apple Ciders, click here.

From all of us here at WORLD OF BUZZ, Gong Xi Fa Cai!