In this day and age, friend “gatherings” are no longer the innocent get togethers to have tea parties or play games on consoles. Seems like without alcohol, gatherings are just ‘not fun’. I’ve always reasoned that alcohol is not needed to have fun. But the norm nowadays is to have gatherings at bars or pubs or clubs where alcohol is plentiful.

Understandably I can’t compare the innocent gatherings I once had as a child to now since I am no longer the little worry free child. But comparing to my younger siblings going to what they call a ’simple gathering’. At their age I remember our ’simple gatherings’ as gathering around the table at Happy Cup drinking bubble tea or around a table having fast food or some sort. But their ’simple gatherings’ are now drinking gatherings. Alcohol is a pre-requisite.

Makes me realise how times have changed. Surprisingly I’m only few years older than the youngest of my siblings yet I can see that gap between myself and them. Perhaps I was brought up to be a little too innocent/naive or maybe not westernised enough but it is interesting to see children from the same family, same environment, same disciplining grow up to very different cultures.