过年How?: Will Griffith on Necking Baijiu and Incurring the Wrath of Mother-in-Laws

We quiz some long-term Beijingers on how they intend to spend this year's Chinese New Year and hopefully uncover some horror stories along the way. 过年How, y'all!

Having survived his three going away parties (some people, eh), regular the Beijinger contributor and founder of Live Beijing Music Will Griffith is slowly winding down, preparing for his new life in China's south. Though still not entirely sure where he'll land, one thing is for certain: whichever city gets Griffith is set to see their scene get a boost thanks of his deft gig organization abilities, music knowledge, and overall pep.

Before Griffith heads off to greener, more melodious pastures (as if), we had a moment to pick his brain about what CNY has in store for him this year.

What's your full name and where are you from?
William Griffith and I’m from Connecticut in the United States.

What’s your Chinese zodiac? Do you think you’re typical of that sign? Why or why not?
Fire Rabbit. It says, via Google: "Intelligent and skillful, and they can easily succeed in every field. They have a good reputation among friends because they are broad-minded, tolerant and careful." I feel like it could say anything and it could vaguely apply to me, so I’m gonna call bullshit. 

What does your average CNY entail? Where are you headed this year? At a guess, how will it differ to last year?
It usually entails going to Xi’an to be with my wife’s family. It’s fun and boring all at once. This year will be different. My mother-in-law will be visiting us in Beijing and I will be heading to Singapore to visit my parents who are visiting my brother there. So family is still involved one way or another.

Tell us about a particular CNY nightmare that you've encountered.
I get pretty melodramatic over the holiday so any nightmarish experiences are usually exaggerated due to the feeling of helplessness that comes with being stuck with family for long periods of time. But one year, I had two of my best friends join me for the holiday. We got a little too rambunctious the first night and in the morning walked down in a haze and with my enraged mother-in-law calling us. Seems we had caused some trouble at the apartment where we were staying and had to sit in the security room downstairs and watch the security footage of us wreaking havoc on the lobby, complete with fire extinguishers and everything. Let’s just say my mother-in-law wasn’t all too pleased and we had to bribe off the guard with some baijiu. By the way, the true culprit was none other than the Beijinger’s managing editor. [Ed's note: We never did destroy that tape...]

Which dishes do you particularly look forward to gorging on every year? Drinks?
I particularly look forward to 藕盒 ouhe – basically fried lotus root and meat sandwiches. But beyond that – the family gatherings involve so much food that it's hard to keep up. And along with ample amounts of baijiu, it’s all swell. 

What are three tips for avoiding the excesses of eating and drinking that a proper CNY is defined by?
Keep them together. As long as you're constantly eating while drinking baijiu, you should be alright. Choose your drinking opponents wisely – find someone you can go hand-in-hand with as making them overdo it makes you look bad, and having them take you out makes you look bad – there’s no middle ground. Force yourself (and demand if need be) to head into town for a ‘normal’ meal – as much as I love indulging in these giant roundtable meals, if I don’t get to have yangrou paomo during my stay then I’ll simply be cranky.

Got any tips on how to deflect those awkward family questions?
Get a translator meditator (even if your Chinese is fluent enough) – it wears everyone out eventually. Show them your measly income. Bring up politics. Bring up the fate of the world. I don’t know – feel like they gave up on me long ago. 

Is there anyone this year that’s particularly deserving of a big fat hongbao from yourself?
Nope. Hongbaos are the silliest anti-Ponzi scheme ever. I feel the money we give just goes circular through a family until it gets right back to me via someone else. 

If there’s one thing you could change about CNY, what would it be?
Bring back fireworks people! It’s worth burning down a CCTV tower or two in the long run. 

What do you predict the Year of the Rat holds for you?
Monumental changes. An upheaval of life as I know it – it’ll be exciting at least.

过年How?: French Photographer Pierre Alivon on Deconstructing Beijing Through Art

Images courtesy of Will Griffith