Chinese New Year

I read with interest your discussion (Multicultural Manners, Wed., Jan. 25) of a Chinese custom of not bathing on Chinese New Year’s Day, (but) I feel something needs to be added. In a traditional Chinese family, the previous week has been spent preparing for the new year. Among the tasks is the cleaning of the entire property (in addition to oneself),and completing chores and errands and paying off all debts, in anticipation of the celebration. It is very important to enter the new year with no loose strings, as if starting with a clean slate.

This is part of what is within the control of the believer, to earn good fortune. (It also encourages good ethics.) Without understanding that avoiding bathing on New Year’s Day is only one part of a complex “cleaning” ritual, people might see that one aspect as a trivial superstition with overtones of unhygienic behavior.

LISA SCHOYER

Altadena