My friend Lynn gave birth to two boys recently. So Cart and I paid a visit to see how she was doing.
When we reached the main entrance of where she lived, we spotted something interesting. Above the entrance was a rosetta.
There is an Italian custom to hang up a rosetta to symbolise that there is a newborn baby in the building. Blue for male babies while pink for girls.
I wonder if there are another more other Italian customs in regards to babies. Whereas for us Malays, we have the cukur jambul tradition where the baby gets their first haircut at the end of the new mother’s confinement period.
I’m a little worried for Lynn since she had a C section. Just the sound of that gives me feel queasy especially after watching a television programme about it.
Nevertheless, Lynn is doing fine and although she says that she feels some discomfort, she’s able to move around the house freely.
Anyway, I present to you, Sean and Erik!
I find it interesting that Lynn was able to already tell the personalities of her two boys. Sean, on the left was the more relaxed one while Erik was more active.
They are oh so very tiny.
Adding one comment so that this post wont feel too lonely 😛
The dutch hangs banners to signify new birth, passing an exam, 25th or 50th wedding anniversary or when one turns 50 ! For the babies, a pink stork is in attendence at the front door. If u see the national flag held horizontally outside a window, with a leather schoolbag hanging on it, then someone is literally waving goodbye to school books ! We also “flag-out” on Queen’s birthday (with an additional orange ribbon for the House of Orange) n the die-hard royalists will flag out for every member of the royals on their birthdays or a new birth !
I dont hv a close relationship with my neighbours, so it’s kinda odd to walk past an announcement without paying them a visit with a gift or to wish them well. It’s a custom which contradicts the common understanding of keeping out of one’s private space.
Sometimes new births r announced by hand delivered cards thru our letterbox, even tho I hv never spoken a word with these people. It feels very strange to me. Hubs says to just ignore them bec we will be forgotten once the novelty of the event wears off.
That brings me to the compulsory treats to colleagues on birthdays. I had to lug 20 wedges of cake with me to work in a crowded train. What a way to start the day eh ? When I return home, my in-laws would be there expecting a dinner n the cake cutting after the meal. In SG it’s always the birthday person being pampered n not the other way around. Since then I hated birthdays here ! It wears me out n I never get to enjoy my day !!
When it’s my colleague’s turn, cash r collected to buy them the stuff they write on their wishlist. One had the gall to put down a garden set costing 1500 EUR !!! The worst r wedding wishlists … So, what do u think abt this pocket-busting oddities ?
Where do you hang those banners for passing the exam and the anniversary, above the door or indoors? Does that mean that random people could just knock to congratulate just like that?
I’m not sure about the rosetta here either if its a custom for neighbours to do that. I think I need more time to know more about these customs 🙂
In any case, why do you have to bring 20 pieces of cakes with you? Do you mean its your birthday and your colleagues are giving you 20 cakes or you are giving your 20 colleagues the cakes?
My gosh, what a chore to do! I’d just stick them in the pantry. And yes, in Singapore, the birthday guy and girl gets the treat, not the other way round!
But 1500 euro garden set is too much. Thats more than one month’s pay 😛
To me, gifts comes from the heart and mostly I love every one of them because of the thought comes into it 🙂
The flag pole is plugged into a metal holder against the wall (usually just outside the bedroom). The banners for anniversaries r hang above the doors or around the wooden frames for the hanging plants at the front (garden) – colorful alphabets n balloons to announce the occasion. It’s not clear even to hubs whether we r expected to ring their door n convey our best wishes. I dont think it’s meant to include random strangers – haha.
The dutch custom requires the birthday person to treat their schoolmates, colleagues, besides ur intimate circle of friends. The 20 pieces of cake is meant for my colleagues.
My hubs always request me to make 45 pcs of curry puffs bec his colleagues only wants that. Can u imagine waking up early to deep fry them ? The oily smell makes me queasy ! Over the years I hv simplified it with cold quiche, whether they like it or not ! What a chore !
As to gifts, my MIL has set a limit of 25 euro (was 25 guilders b4 !) when sourcing for them to avoid “poking the eyes out of one another”. I usually buy hubs something practical like a new suit or shoes. MIL was most displeased n she never let me hear the end of it !
In SG during the chinese new year, I also got myself in a pickle. No matter how much I put in the red packets, someone will whine behind my back *sigh, sigh* Do u hv the same customs with hari raya ?