spring festival phobia

"Spring Festival Reunion-Phobes" hesitate to go home

A new phrase makes its way across the Internet, "Spring Festival Reunion Phobia." With the traditional Chinese holiday just around the corner, many people are undertaking long journeys back to their hometowns. But for others, this time of year is especially tough, because they're unwilling to make the trip for one reason or another.

For some young adults, Spring Festival is not as sweet as others might imagine ...

They say packing up belongings and returning home is just a dream.

This group, dubbed "Reunion-Phobes" by some Chinese Internet users, has recently stepped into the spotlight.

These individuals choose not to take long trips during the traditional holiday.

Their main reason is a lack of money.

One letter posted online by a graduate student says he dares not go home, because he doesn't have enough cash to buy his mother a sweater.

Other people may be in better situations, but the large expenditures required during the lengthy event, such as giving children lucky money, still holds them up.

Train passenger Mr, Wang said, "I just graduated from college, and haven't earned much. Going back home requires a lot of money, and I don't think I can afford it."

Another reason for folks not to go home is to avoid the accompanying travel frenzy and ticket mayhem.

Long lines in front of ticket booths is a common sight, and passengers often have to wait hours ... and hours ... and hours.

To make matters worse, delayed trains cause even more misery.

For young workers in big cities, "enthusiastic" parental inquiries about their love lives or the prospect of being forced on blind dates, are also causes for hesitation.

As a matter of fact, most hope to find true romance on their own.

Train passenger Ms. Dong said, "My parents always ask me when to get married when I go home. That makes me worry."

But while these individuals say they're bothered by springing for expensive gifts, or laying out lucky money, the thoughts of their parents are quite different.

A parent Mr. Hu said, "My child has not come back home for three years. He says the journey is long and unsafe, but I really hope he can come back this time."

In many of their eyes, it really doesn't matter what their kids bring back home. The only wish these parents harbor is to enjoy happy family reunions.

They really want those who decide not to make the trip to please think twice before arriving at a final decision.