It has to be said, November is not the most glamourous of months. Sorry if your birthday falls in the eleventh month but that’s just the way it is! Grey, wet, dark, dank: these are just a few of the adjectives that spring to mind when we hear the word November. It doesn’t even have a decent festival to brighten things up - too late for Hallowe’en, too early for Christmas. So, what are the positives about November? Let’s make a list…
1. It only has 30 days.
2. It’s been a bizarrely warm month in Sweden so far (although while it may be good for the size of the electricity bill, it just doesn’t seem right.)
3. Err…that’s it!
Well, that was quick at least!
OK, it’s not quite true that there are no celebrations in November
· Britain’s Guy Fawkes Day, on November 5th, commemorates a failed attempt to blow up the houses of parliament (“Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot”). Children collect money for ‘the Guy’ – it used to be a penny, but inflation has corrected for that. Fireworks are set off with varying degrees of success, while at night bonfires with poor old Guy Fawkes atop them are lit across the country.
· In many parts of Europe and America 11th of November is ‘Remembrance Sunday’ usually marked at 11 am. This solemn occasion honours those who died in the first world war and other conflicts over the past century.
· Singles’ Day or 11/11. These days November 11th is probably best known as the biggest online shopping day in the world – and it’s made in China! Originally devised by four Chinese college students to celebrate their ‘singleness’ (hence all the ones in 11/11!) it was quickly coopted by Chinese online retail giants as a sort of Black/Cyber Friday on steroids. This commercial extravaganza has since spread to many countries around the globe (including Sweden) and is now by far the biggest online (and offline) shopping day in the world.
So, there you have it; November’s ‘celebrations’ include: an attempt to bomb a parliament building; a commemoration of the deaths of millions of people in war; a day used by multi-billion dollar companies to sell millions of items to people who don't need them and probably can’t afford them. Stay classy November!
Still, here at Yocha Studio we like to stay positive, so here’s some good news from nasty November!
Firstly, our new lunches have been flying off the shelves - there seems to be a taste for authentic Asian fare amongst Uppsala’s discerning public and we’ve sold out on more than one occasion. Due to their popularity, we’ve decided to start making lunches available at weekends too – but booking first is essential! Either drop in to let us know or e-mail info@yochastudio.se.
