西方人以理性思考、不近人情的工作方式著称,也以个人独立于家庭的为文化的基本根源,然而,有意思的是,他们在那些与家庭相关的节日里(父亲节、母亲节、感恩节、圣诞节)却表现出了更直接的重视,更温情的表达,甚至更具仪式感的庆祝方式,比如认真地赠与礼物等,习俗被不断强化,节日便成了具有独特含义与象征的日子。
父亲节与母亲节一样也是个起源于美国的节日,在美国孩子们在这天为父母做早餐,在日本给父亲念感恩信,在德国和父亲喝啤酒庆祝,在中国现在已有越来越多的庆祝方式,比如晒出和父亲的成长合影。对于孩子来说,当你有一天在行使这些仪式的过程中忽然明白父亲的辛苦,并想要主动回报他,你就真的长大了。所以,简单的年复一年的仪式确实可以具有推动领悟的意义。
Dialogue 1
Xiao Gao: What are you gonna get your pops for Father's Day? Don't tell me you forgot.
Jingjing: No, I didn't forget. I'm on the fence right now about two different things. I was gonna buy him a watch, but then I saw a really nice shirt that I think he'd look good in.
Xiao Gao: I see. --------------------------------------------------
Jingjing: You're right, but I'm running low on cash right now and I don't get paid until the end of the month.
Xiao Gao: Well, if you want, I could spot you some money. You can pay me back after you get your paycheck.
Jingjing: It's okay. I'll figure something out. Anyways, what about you? What are you gonna get your old man for Father's Day?
Xiao Gao: I have a surprise for him. I wanna take him out to the park and have a picnic. I figured it would be a nice place for him to kick back and relax.
Jingjing: That sounds like a good idea. I'm sure he needs it after all the hell you put him through while you were growing up.
Xiao Gao: Hey! That's not very nice!
Jingjing: Haha! I'm just joking, geez, come on!