Showing posts with label Customs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Customs. Show all posts

Dec 14, 2011

New Year Customs Celebration around the World

Do you make new year resolutions and keep fireworks and noisemakers handy for use to welcome the new year with élan? These acts that sound so natural to occur during any new year celebrations are actually popular new year customs practiced around the world to express jubilation and excitement. Not to mention, there are some very old country-specific customs of new year celebrations as well, which to this day are followed with full enthusiasm.India is a land of customs and cultures. There are a wide variety of customs that the people in India follow. Although the customs keep changing yet people enjoy following them as they bring joy and happiness. The people in India regard the New Year as a time to think of the future in hope and anticipation. The New Year is a time of festivities and a perfect time to think something new and forget the past. Dancing,partying, feasting and enjoying throughout the night of the New Year are essential New Year customs that the people in India follow on New Year.
The various states in India celebrate New Year on different dates. Although the customs in the states differ but the spirit of the people in celebrating the New Year remains the same throughout. Some states in India especially the Hindu celebrate diwali which is the festival of lights as the New Year.
The people in India on this day worship goddess lakshmi. She is believed to bring wealth and good fortune on New Year. Lighting lamps and worshipping her are important New Year customs that the people in India follow.
The people in Punjab regard baisakhi as their New Year. There is a fair held and as custom has it dances and shows are organized to celebrate the New Year. The people in Gujarat consider lights to be a symbol for the New Year.
Food, flowers, and gifts are kept on a special tray in Kerala that is situated in Southern India. The children on New Year's Day keep their eyes closed until they are led to the tray. Making New Year resolutions are important New Year customs that the people in India regard as essential and close to their heart.
New Year Customs in US
Of all the new year customs observed in the United States, possibly the most famous that's watched the world over with abated breath, is the dropping of the lighted New Year ball in Times Square (New York City) at dot 11:59 PM. As it happens, mass hysterical cheers and rain of confetti mark the start of new year.
Having Hoppin' John with black-eyed peas and ham hocks to go with it, is another time-honored new year custom that stays young to this day. It is believed that eating peas on new year day will bless the family with prosperity and good luck for the rest of the year.
New Year Customs in UK
The most popular of all new year customs in UK is called "First footing", where neighbors pay visit to each other to wish New Year, shortly after midnight. It is considered very lucky if the first visitor to the house happens to be a tall, dark and handsome male carrying along with a piece of coal, a loaf and a bottle of Whisky for gift. The custom also holds that the visitor should not either speak nor should be spoken to until he has gifted the coal to the fireplace, loaf on the table and glass of drink to the head of the family. The visitor should then break the silence first by wishing "Happy New Year" to all the members of the family and ideally leave the house through the back door. It is believed that such a first footing brings good luck and prosperity in the house.
Chinese New Year customs - The Chinese New Year "Yuan Tan" is celebrated for 15 days. It is based on the Lunar Calendar and the New Year falls between January 21 and February 20. The new moon is the bas for calculating the new beginning.
It is a Chinese New year custom to enjoy feasting during the celebrations. With the change of time the customs have also altered. In the cities, spectacular processions take place which includes giant dragons and hand made lanterns. It is custom to exchange red envelopes with coins in it. It brings fortune and good luck to the family. The members of the family pay homage to all the ancestors.
Korean New Year customs - The Korean New Year is celebrated in January and is based on lunar calendar. It is known as ‘Sol nal' and is time for family gatherings. On the New Year eve the Korean people place straw scoopers, sieves on their door and walls of the home to protect them from evil spirits.
It is a Korean custom to wear new clothes and start the day fresh with all the rituals. The younger family members bow to the elder ones and gathers in the home of the eldest male member of the family. Wishes and greetings are exchanged and prayers are held for good health and prosperity. One of the Korean New Year customs is to calculate the age of every person with the New Year day. This means that everyone becomes one year older on this day.
Persian New Year customs - The Persian New Year is also, known as ‘Noruz' which falls during the spring. The Persian family members gather to offer prayers. They sit around haft sin table and pray for happiness throughout the year. When the clock struck 12 o'clock all the members kiss each other and enjoy the special feast arranged.
The customary meals include special rice made with herbs which is called "sabzi polo", fish cuisines, "kuku sabzi" which is a quiche made with herbs. During the New Year people visit each other and younger ones receive ‘Eidi' from the elders. This is a gift sum given by elders as the New Year gifts.
German New Year customs - In Germany most of the customs have changed but, many of the traditional families still celebrate the New Year with all the rituals. The German people drop molten lead into cold water and predict the future from the shapes created in the water. Like – heart shape means love, a ship denotes journey, ring shape means wedding and pig means plenty of food in the coming year.
People leave some food on their platter on the New Year eve as a tradition. It is believed that this would ensure stockpile for the rest of the year. Carp is also part of the custom as, it symbolizes wealth and fortune.

Dec 4, 2011

Newest Trend in Custom Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most frequently visited rooms in a home. How they look can give a positive impression of the home. Styles have changed dramatically. There also some wonderful new products available that just did not exist a few years ago. Small little cramped kitchens just don't cut it anymore. Big open styles or slim sleek efficient kitchens are what people want. Well designed kitchens and bathrooms are what people are looking for. Custom kitchens and bathrooms are not just made they are created.
A custom kitchen New York contractor is going to be up on the latest styles and upcoming trends. They have to. People in New York don't just want the best they want it to be unique as well. Custom kitchen New York contractor needs to be on the cutting edge of modern technology. Kitchens are not just for cooking food anymore. They need to be able to fit into our modern lifestyles. Not only that, a Custom kitchen New York contractor will build a room that reflects you. Custom kitchens can be a statement, not just a place to cook. There are new types of stoves, ovens and even fridges that are visually appealing but are also more efficient. Custom kitchens look great, work better and save energy. Tile work, flooring and even counter tops have undergone some technical changes. There are new products that last longer, are easier to maintain and can resist water damage and mold growth. They have the look and feel you want but are just better products then what you may have had.
Custom bathroom Manhattan contactors try to combine functionality with luxury. People spend a lot of time in the bathroom. It might as well be a place of beauty and function. Most Custom bathroom Manhattan contactors are constantly learning about the newest high quality bathroom features available. It is not about replacing a bathtub but installing a raindrop shower or deep Jacuzzi bathtub. Custom bathroom Manhattan contactors work at combining visual style with modern luxuries. This can be seen in outstanding heated floors. The material is water and mold resistant but looks absolutely stunning. Or unique toilets that look great and are designed with water conservation in mind. A modern bathroom is not just about how it looks, but how well it works in water conservation and reducing mold.

Nov 27, 2011

The Effect Of Custom Made Subliminal Messages

Messages can be cherry-picked from a wide range. The messages are powerful because they interact at the subconscious level. First, determine your needs and goals. Individuals are unique and we have unique challenges and problems. You can change your thoughts for the better. Poisonous beliefs that have been haunting you for many years can be removed. Erratic behaviours that cause you to be negative can be changed. You can be successful in every goal you undertake when you use subliminal messages.
Basically, subliminal messages are delivered step by step. First, you have what is called a 'programming track'. As the name suggests, the track is a sound or music track that programs positive thoughts in your subconscious through meditation. A person needs to relax during this process. The programming soundtracks are delivered in four phases. The soundtracks contain both high and normal frequencies.
It's impossible for the conscious mind to read raw subliminal messages. However, studies have shown that a person can detect subliminal messages via the eardrum, but they must be interpreted into a language that is understood by the brain. Thus, they can reach the subconscious directly.
Basically, subliminal messages are goals and desires that are re-interpreted as high frequency or normal frequencies sound.
The second step involved in creating subliminal messages involves the use of special tracks known as the 'activator track'. The activator track as the name implies, is used to activate the programming track. You should not be engaged in any work during this period.
Messages in the form of statements and goals are contained in the activator track. Once again, the messages must be re-interpreted as frequencies that are capable of penetrating the subconscious. The tracks contain preliminary music that changes into meditative music once the programming starts.

Nov 24, 2011

Tips For UK Customs

What you can - or cannot - bring into the UK, especially from non-EU countries, has always been a bit of a guessing game. The duty free allowances are widely publicized. But what about food products, agricultural produce, plant materials? Judging from the number of UK customs questions I get from readers - especially as holidays approach and people want to bring gifts to friends and family - there's still a lot of confusion about it.
That should all change now that the UK government has published quite a lot of information and clarification online.
Don't Bring Me Back
Don't Bring Me Back is an online overview of the whys and wherefores of UK customs regulations. It has a handy search widget. Enter the country from which you are coming into the UK - as an overseas visitor or a holiday-maker coming home - and it produces a short list of three things you can bring and three you cannot. The website also explains the reasons behind the regulations and the penalties for ignoring them.
Personal Import Rules Database
Even more useful, the Personal Import Rules database provides detailed information, by country, on hundreds of food products you might bring into the UK in your luggage, or send there by ordering online.
The database also has information on weight limits. So, for example, if you bring honey in from most places it will be part of a 2 kilos (about four lbs) per person total allowance in combination with live bivalves, eggs and egg products, skinned frogs legs, reptile, insect and snail meat (yum). So if you can bear to leave the clams, boiled rattlesnake and chocolate covered ants behind, you could, in theory, bring in 2k of honey.
And you can bring a 20k (that's about 40 lbs) combination of fish and fishery products (from most places) that can include live lobsters. How you are supposed to keep 40lbs of live Maine lobster alive on a transatlantic flight is a good question - but I'm sure someone has the answer.
Don't Even Think About it
Milk products from outside the EU are banned - so no powdered milk drinks from Australia or that nice hunk of Wisconsin Cheddar you were planning to brink Great Aunt Felicity. And potatoes or potato products from anywhere (including the EU), even canned, bottled or otherwise packaged, are strictly verboten.
To find out what you can or cannot bring, simply enter the country from which you (or the goods)are entering the UK into the search box; use the search categories to refine the food category and actual product, click the button and the information - including weight limits - pops on screen.
These are personal allowances for your own use. Officials are allowed to use their discretion about "reasonable" quantities (for personal use) of products that are not weight restricted from both EU and non-EU countries - bagels from New York, chocolates from Paris. Large amounts that could be for commercial use could be subject to health checks and other commercial regulations.

Nov 11, 2011

About China Customs

China Customs is a government agency that supervises and manages all arrivals in and departures from the Customs territory of the mainland of the People's Republic of China. It exercises a centralized management structure. Its essential tasks are entry and exit control, revenue collection, fighting smuggling and foreign trade statistics compilation. It also shoulders such major responsibilities as duty collection, Customs control, supervision and management of bond operations,foreign trade statistics compilation, audit-based control, Customs intellectual property rights protection, anti- smuggling, and port management.
  Overview of China Customs
  Customs Revenue Collection
  Cracking Down on Smuggling
  Customs Control
  Customs Statistics
  International Cooperation