Chinese bothered by "festival fatigue": survey

BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A survey of 2,003 respondents aged 20-40 found that over half were dissatisfied with the over-commercialization of many Chinese "festivals."

The survey results, published by China Youth Daily on Tuesday, showed that of 2,003 respondents, 63.1 percent said they were "tired" of many of today's so-called festivals.

Over 70 percent of respondents voiced frustration with the social pressure to attend parties or dinners or engage in commercial promotions.

Gao Yufei, 23, who works for a media company, said too many new festivals -- such as the online shopping spree "Double Eleven," so called because it occurs on Nov. 11 -- are merely "traps" to make people spend money.

Gao said she prefers traditional festivals like Spring Festival or Dragon Boat Festival.

During many festive periods it is common to send electronic "hongbao" -- red envelopes containing gift money -- on messaging apps or social media, according to the survey.

Zhou Yaping, associate professor with Lanzhou University, said people today are more concerned with the material side of festivities.

Many celebrations have little more to offer than shopping or partying, which reflects a shift away from spiritual and cultural celebrations, Zhou said.

Zhou suggested that people should "visit relatives or old friends."