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Trend in the 21st century - Siu Yeah Culture

The Young Reporter (2004, April), 36(07), pp. 9.
Author: Oakes Lu Man-yan. Editor: Iris Chan Hoi-yun.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0015382

By Oakes Lu Man Yan

02009374@hkbu.edu.hk

BREAKFAST, lunch and dinner. What’s more? Almost every night the same dilemma obsesses many Hong Kong people - the feeling of emptiness without grabbing a bite to eat before going to bed.

A survey done by the Department of Politics and Sociology of The Lingnan University in 2003 showed that 35. 3 per cent of the 580 respondents have the habit of eating supper (siu yeah) . Within the sample population, only 30. 7 per cent of them eat supper because of hunger.

In fact, prolonged working hours increase people’s apetitie [i.e. appetite].

Mandy Wong, a 24-year-old office lady, is one of the supper-addicts. She has this habit started since her night school’s study.

“I usually had sandwiches before class, but then I felt empty after school and definitely I needed some food,” she says.

She loves to have fish ball noodle for supper, but sometimes she takes congee, simply because of health problems. “I gain weight after I have this habit and that’s why I try to eat something healthier.”

On school-off nights, she tries not to eat by chatting with friends on phone or doing facials. However, she usually fails to resist the temptation of potato chips and chocolates.

Indeed, Cora Wong, a registered dietitian of St. James' Settlement, says that if people eat too much before sleep, they will not only put on weight but also stomach acid regurgitation.

“You can’t sleep well too,” she says.

Though supper-eating spoils health and body shape, Carol Wong, a year three student at The University of Hong Kong, said having supper becomes part of her university life. Sweet soup and fried noodles are her all-time favourites.

“I just don't care about the calories,” she said, “Eating can relieve pressure from studies.”

She goes to the nearby bistro with her friends, whenever they finish their assignments or basketball training in late night.

“It’s a good time for us to have our team gathering,” Carol says. “Most importantly, I have to fill my empty stomach after exercise!”

The supper culture is even more popular among students who live in universities’residential halls. Karis Cheng, a student at Hong Kong Baptist University, says she is influenced by her hall mates and started the habit.

On her floor, the hall mates usually organize supper gatherings. “I can’t refuse my hall mates. They love to cook supper and share with me. That’s really nice.”

The demand for supper benefits the food and beverage industry. Mr Chong Wing, a cook of a Hong Kong-style restaurant in Sha Tin, has to work till 1 am because of the supper period.

“The revenue increases during supper period, that's why my boss extends the restaurant's opening hours” Mr Chong says.

The supper culture is also welcomed by a Mongkok 24-hour restaurant owner, Mr Yung Kwok-fai.

Most of his customers are youngsters. “They come to eat after amusement in bars,” the restaurateur said. “Since the economy lies far behind its peak, I hope more people can come to my restaurant to eat, even at late night.”

Though supper period brings them revenue, it makes them another supper-addicts. “As a cook, I have my dinner much earlier than other people, so I'm starved after off-duty,” Mr Chong says.

Mr Chong did not realize his addiction until his long vacation.

“I had days-off last month. But even I have my dinner at normal hours. I cannot help myself stop eating before bedtime.”

Without having a bite, he cannot sleep well, “I'm totally addicted to supper!” he says.

But Mrs Chong notices her husband’s problem. “He is too fat but I don’t know how to stop him from eating supper,” she says. “My friends suggest I cook something healthy instead.”

Mrs Chong dislikes this culture. “It is unnecessary to eat supper,” she says, “Eating supper is nothing but unhealthy. Maybe I sleep early so I don't need it.”

Nevertheless, Cora suggests that eating supper can actually be something positive. “It depends on when you sleep after supper,” she says. “The appropriate time would be after four to six hours.”

She suggests people eat healthier food for supper. “If people don’t have the chance to eat fruit in other meals, salad is a desirable supper for them.”

In order to compromise with his wife, Mr Chong changed his habit to eat homemade sandwiches or salad as supper.

Edited by Iris Chan Hoi-yun

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