Showing love and affection to friends and family doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it can just be simple and kind.

Today in my family, we usually express love and affection to one another by either hugging, shaking hands, or just saying hello. The more immediate they are, the more expressive it is, but the more extended they are, the more simple or less expressive it can be. My culture influences this alot.

Currently, my family mainly consists of people of Chinese/Southeast Asian descent. We usually don’t show a lot of affection and love to each other in public, as it’s considered immodest and not showing filial piety or respect for elders. Of course, the increasing modernization of Asia and the influence of Western culture has made a turn around this but it is still around and common. Shaking hands, a simple greeting, or a small simple gift is still enough to show affection. Simple gestures can still go a long way in expressing love for each other and showing respect.

Honestly, the way my family greets each other confuses me in a way, but it also makes sense. People in our culture tend to be more reserved and love for each other is typically less verbal and more implied. We do show caring for each other more in private, just hugging a lot as a greeting. For example, when Chinese New Year comes around, our family celebrates in our own way. We have food and family at home and we all hug each other and shake hands depending who is there. We give each other gifts, offering a kind word, or just simply having a good talk about something going on in the world. Everyone helps cook the food or brings food they made themselves or bought. It’s fun for everyone and enjoyable.

Notably, I understand that a lot of people typically show love for family in more extravagant ways, but showing love for eachother can be reserved and still go a long way, no matter how simple it is.