less green, but a good start
the wedding came and went, and as much as we wanted it to be, it was not as green as it should be. i have discovered a major factor that makes living green a big maybe in an asian culture.
there is this thing called 'air muka' (direct translating: water face) that pretty much dominates any social interaction in an asia community. basically, it is about maintaining a certain impression among you family, friends, associates and even strangers about certain issues like wealth and success. and in a chinese community the wealth issue is a big one.
as an example to illustrate the problem, to reduce food wastage, groom wanted to serve smaller portions and encourage guests to ask for seconds if they wanted more. the idea was vetoed immediately because:-
1. it might look to guests as if the hosts were trying to cut down on food, thus cutting down on costs, and that's apparently not cool.
2. friends who are guests are shy about asking for seconds, because it might look to other people that they might have big apetites.
money was another big factor (surprise, surprise). as the wedding reception was held at a hotel, they got the whole shindig packaged; food, cake, dress, photographers, video, decorations, performance, you know that sort of thing. so, ideas to have organic food and cake had to be overlooked.
there are other examples, but hey, let's look at the bright side. having given the example above, we did have a few things green on the menu.
1. invitation are sent mostly thru email and the printed cards are mostly done on recycled paper. the rest were printed on virgin paper on request by the father-of-the-groom - (less trees, less chemicals, support recycled items, less fuel for transportation of physical cards - green!)
2. the groom fetched the bride by trishaw (less fuel consumtion - green!), as although to an insider it was a little like a gimmick seeing that there were 2 cars and an SUV following the riders :)) it was reported in the local newspaper and hopefully generated a little awareness amongst the readers on what can we do on an individual level to play our parts (public awareness - green!).
3. we used reused decoration from previous weddings where we could and we donated the decoration to future brides for their event (good things grow - green!)
4. the bride chose to have as much biodegradable decorations and limits plastic as much as possible, opting for local flowers and flower petals for much of the decorations (less fuel in transportation and biodegradable - green!)
5. recycling bins are provided near the bar and guests are encouraged to do their parts by throwing their beer and wine bottles and cans into the right bins (public awareness, recycling - green!)
6. we had a wonderful time dancing and fooling around on the dance floor after the wedding (good time, what more needs to be said - green!)
7. and i was so hot that night (hot-slightly-conceited-babe - GREEN! :)) )
jokes aside, most importantly, for me, is to have the intention to do it green and to learn that there are factors, imaginary or otherwise, that sit between thinking about doing it and actually doing it. it was a first attemp for me and perhaps with these in mind, we will be better the next event.
there is this thing called 'air muka' (direct translating: water face) that pretty much dominates any social interaction in an asia community. basically, it is about maintaining a certain impression among you family, friends, associates and even strangers about certain issues like wealth and success. and in a chinese community the wealth issue is a big one.
as an example to illustrate the problem, to reduce food wastage, groom wanted to serve smaller portions and encourage guests to ask for seconds if they wanted more. the idea was vetoed immediately because:-
1. it might look to guests as if the hosts were trying to cut down on food, thus cutting down on costs, and that's apparently not cool.
2. friends who are guests are shy about asking for seconds, because it might look to other people that they might have big apetites.
money was another big factor (surprise, surprise). as the wedding reception was held at a hotel, they got the whole shindig packaged; food, cake, dress, photographers, video, decorations, performance, you know that sort of thing. so, ideas to have organic food and cake had to be overlooked.
there are other examples, but hey, let's look at the bright side. having given the example above, we did have a few things green on the menu.
1. invitation are sent mostly thru email and the printed cards are mostly done on recycled paper. the rest were printed on virgin paper on request by the father-of-the-groom - (less trees, less chemicals, support recycled items, less fuel for transportation of physical cards - green!)
2. the groom fetched the bride by trishaw (less fuel consumtion - green!), as although to an insider it was a little like a gimmick seeing that there were 2 cars and an SUV following the riders :)) it was reported in the local newspaper and hopefully generated a little awareness amongst the readers on what can we do on an individual level to play our parts (public awareness - green!).
3. we used reused decoration from previous weddings where we could and we donated the decoration to future brides for their event (good things grow - green!)
4. the bride chose to have as much biodegradable decorations and limits plastic as much as possible, opting for local flowers and flower petals for much of the decorations (less fuel in transportation and biodegradable - green!)
5. recycling bins are provided near the bar and guests are encouraged to do their parts by throwing their beer and wine bottles and cans into the right bins (public awareness, recycling - green!)
6. we had a wonderful time dancing and fooling around on the dance floor after the wedding (good time, what more needs to be said - green!)
7. and i was so hot that night (hot-slightly-conceited-babe - GREEN! :)) )
jokes aside, most importantly, for me, is to have the intention to do it green and to learn that there are factors, imaginary or otherwise, that sit between thinking about doing it and actually doing it. it was a first attemp for me and perhaps with these in mind, we will be better the next event.
Labels: everyday heroes, personal struggle
posted by intheocean at 3:51 AM
3 Comments:
it sounds like you had a green time and lots of fun too! Cultural attitudes play a huge role in how people see green living and you're right, attitude is the vital first step and from there make small but visible steps and there you go
thank you :) and thanks for stopping by.
it was a load of fun doing the crazy dance...and bar hopping in a long dress where all other kids were in less than nothing i felt like a nun :)) there's a first for everthing!
in my part of the world, sustainable living is still very much a new concept, with a lot of sniggering when you state your stand, with money as the main incentive for almost everything. but we are moving towards there.
one step at a time :)
Tag, you're it! There's a meme going around and if you want to play, you'll find the instructions on my blog.
:0)
M
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