Interview [Issue 45] Winter Holidays across the Community

[Contradiction 1,242]

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One of the most unique elements of this game is the diversity of players. Tanki Online is an extremely international game, with tankers all over the globe. Across all hemispheres of the world, this game has brought us together. As the holiday season approaches, a few members of the English community have chosen to share their traditions and impressions that occur during this period in their lives. Some of these habits are unique, and others may seem familiar. Continue reading to learn more!

 

@Anonono: Well first of all Christmas is in summer here in Australia, so it gets pretty darn hot at this time of year! Our extended family meet up at Christmas most years. The family would all attend a Christmas service at our local church (either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day). Traditions held each year include Christmas Carols on the lawn on Christmas Eve, backyard cricket on Boxing Day and playing Monopoly on New Year's Eve. The last one can get very intense! 
 
After Christmas celebrations I get really bored go to work and get paid good :D, but in the last week of the Holidays the family head up to the coast in Southern Queensland and do things like paddle boarding, beach activities, karting, shopping etc. The resort that we stay at is literally across the road from the beach, so we walk barefoot to and from the beach. 
 
@KillerGnat: Christmas where I live is quite different than Christmas in America. Due to the hot temperatures, limited shopping centers, and lack of many decorations, it is not what most of you would call a "normal" Christmas. Despite that, I wouldn't trade any ordinary Christmas for the ones we have here. We've spiced up the holiday season with traditions, jokes, and happiness, to make it a special time for all. The biggest event of the month is the Banlung Bonfire, a yearly Christmas celebration with all our friends. We play soccer, football, and basketball in the day, and then we sing carols and eat smores (idk how to spell that) at night. Both before and after Christmas, my family and I travel to different villages to join in their celebrations as well. Obviously, they put interesting twists into their celebrations that reflect their culture. Christmas day is always spent with family, and after our breakfast (usually a huge feast), we open up presents. We try not to think solely about the presents and food, though, so we spend the entire month of December reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas: how amazing it is that Jesus came down to earth to save us from our sins. I think having friends and family all around me who believe that also makes for a wonderfully special time that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
Just a note, the temp right now is 92 degrees farenheit. 
#christmasincambodia
 
: In my personal opinion, Christmas is not all about being spoilt with lots of wonderful presents, or eating wonderful, tasty, delicious food that you only eat rarely... no. Christmas is the best time of the year to spend time with people who love and care about you the most - and that is your family. 
Some people say "the older you get, the less fun Christmas gets." 
Well... I don't believe that saying is true. I'm 16, nearly 17, and I still love Christmas. I'm not a massive, MASSIVE fan of it, but I'm certainly no Ebonisa Scrooge   ;)  And just like the song - (and in my opinion) "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year." 
When it comes to Christmas, my family is very traditional. Christmas tree decorated with baubles, tinsel and lights with an angel on top, christmas decorations stuck on our living room ceiling and the famous christmas turkey with mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, etc... 
Overall, christmas is a great time of the year, and my personal favorite time of the year. 
In my opinion, Christmas beats every holiday going in the year, including Halloween :P
 
: Winter Holidays is long-awaited event for me every year, mainly because of school break. Most people would remind on Christmas when someone would ask them to say what is the best part of winter holidays. Christmas is not much different here in Croatia than the other cultures. People do decorate their Christmas tree. They do have a big dinner with all the turkey's and side dishes popping up on the table. People do prepare presents for their children. All of that is kind of boring for me (haha don't misunderstand me) but holidays are not holidays without snow, do you agree? (Deep compassion to all the people from Australia and countries where snow doesn't fall) When snow falls i feel like a 10 year old kid rolling in the snow and do the snowball fight with my friends (after i had 3 plates of turkey). Believe me, it doesn't end so well every time, so do it on your own risk. :ph34r: Snow is the thing that makes me have winter holiday feeling, the true one. And Christmas can spice it all up, in a warm way, together with your family, or with those who you love the most. :)
 
@ariking777: Hello :) As some of you know, I'm from Israel, and so I'm a Jew.
In general, Jews don't celebrate Christmas. We do use the regular calendar Christians use in everyday life, but our Holidays are all celebrated on the basis of the Jewish calendar, which isn't the same as the Christians'.
We don't have any Holiday regarding the new 2016 year since there isn't any new year in the Jewish calendar - our religious so-to-speak new year holiday has been celebrated way back in September, and it's called "Rosh HaShana" (in Hebrew, ראש השנה). Among other things, it involves sending Happy-New-Year postcards to relatives and friends, eating apples dipped in honey (don't ask me what's the origin of THAT tradition :P), having a big and festive meal in the night before the day of Rosh HaShana, and in general having fun (vacation from school and work).
As you may know, we don't roll in the snow outside, mainly because there isn't any snow outside; in Israel, September is still the peak of the summer, and anyways even in the coldest weathers, it snows only in Jerusalem and other cities built upon mountains, and even that's quite rear.
And of course, although I and my family and all of my close friends aren't Christians, we do bless Christians and foreigners we come across (in reality, and on the Internet) and tell them "merry Christmas" :D
Happy Winter Holidays, merry Christmas, and Shana Tova (שנה טובה, means "Have a good year" in Hebrew)   :)
 
@LaserShark: Here in 'Murica there are several main holidays we celebrate this time of year.
First we celebrate Thanksgiving by first eating a large, dead bird whose insides have been scooped out and replaced with croutons. Usually this event is accompanied by the giving of thanks for the many blessings one has been gifted with.
The very next day, known as Black Friday, everyone tramples their fellow human beings for things that they could simply purchase online at the same price. Often this may be accompanied by the use of tasers or festive pepper spray.
On to the main attraction, Christmas, that is, if you've survived this long. You see, we like to celebrate the entire month of December by placing a large, dried up tree in our living rooms. That, combined with a large amount of paper wrapped presents under the tree, is probably among the very best kindling money can buy. Wrapping it up in hot light bulbs, and leaving the fireplace on for an extended period of time near the tree helps you appreciate every day you are somehow still alive.
Ah, at last, Christmas, arguably the #1 holiday of American culture. Parents tuck their children to bed after lying to them about a large obese man who is going to break into their home via a tiny chimney and leave things under the tree. After all the excitement now comes the time where you discover that a box of socks, all wrapped up, looks just like a copy of Fallout4, but is in fact, just socks.
Happy socks-mas.
 
: In India, winters nearly begin in early November and last up to February. Being in the sub-tropical zone, winters are not as chilly as some other countries so temperatures are in the range of ~5-15 degrees Celcius except for the mountainous areas of Jammu & Kashmir, N-E, Himachal and Uttarakhand. There is no snowfall, barring a few far-north areas like Kashmir. Most of us are well off with sweaters and blankets only. :P
Festivities are quite frequent in the winter season and India being secular, we celebrate each of them. At the start of winter is Diwali. Arguably one of the biggest festivals celebrated for the return of Hindu Lord Rama after defeating Ravana. It consists of 5 main auspicious days - Dhanteras, Narak-chaturdashi (celebrating the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasur), Lakshmipujan (puja of the Goddess Lakshmi), Padwa and Bhai-dooj (brother-sister day). Besides this, we have festivals like Bihu, Pongal, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Children's Day throughout winter.
In December, we have Christmas, which is also quite popular and even non-Christians spend time with their family, decorate Xmas trees and thw kids wear Santa Claus hats. During this time, most of the students have a 10-15 day long vacation, so it is double the fun. New Year's Eve is widely celebrated - people hang out in the night, eat together, watch fireworks, or just spend time with friends and family to count down to the new year like me!
In January comes Makar Sankranti in Maharahstra when we all distribute sesame & jaggery laddoos to our near and dear ones and acquaintances saying "Tilgul guya, god god bola!" which means "take the Tilgul and talk sweet"! Besides this we have the all-important Republic Day on 26th Jan, the day when our Constitution was enforced. The winters are always chock-full! :D
 
@Yisroel.Rabin: Down here in Toronto (Canada), it hasn't even snowed yet (it probably will by the time you're reading this, RIP clean ground), but that doesn't mean any of our holidays are ruined, right? I celebrate Chanukah, which some of you may know, is eight days long, SO IN YO FACE 1 DAY HOLIDAYS, and eight days of Chanukah means I have time to do whatever I want (except for when relatives come over, then I have to act like somebody everybody knows I'm not), like take some cool pics of nature (I like photography, incase you didn't know), take long walks on quiet streets to see what decorations people have to offer, and even, play Tanki.
Besides lighting the Menorah and spinning (what you may know as) "that spinny top thingy" called a dradel in Hebrew, there aren't many other big traditions in Chanukah (there are more traditions, but it's sort of deep into stuff, so let's not dive into that just yet), it's just a fun time to spend time with family, and possibly, have some fun :D
As I mentioned before, I love taking walks this time of year to see what decorations people have out there. I obviously don't celebrate every holiday, but I still enjoy them. So with that, I'd like to wish you all a happy new year! :)
PS: Here's what happens when you have a "spinny top thingy" and a camera :P CLICK
 
@Adriel.RB: Thanks for the invitation!   :) 
So, in Mexico we celebrate Christmas too. In my country snow don't fall (specially the center and south of the country). In Dec. 12, catholic people celebrates the "Virgen de Guadalupe". In Dec. 24 and 25 we celebrate Christmas. Like in almost all the countries, Santa comes on the houses, and give gifts to people. In Dec. 28 we celebrate the "Dia de los santos inocentes" (Like an mexican April Fools). At Dec. 31 we celebrate the New Year. There's a tradition in the New Year, its called "Doce uvas" (12 grapes). You need to eat 12 grapes, in every grape you need to wish something you want to be happen in the next year (2016 in this case). And finally, theres another celebration at the January 6. The "Reyes magos" (Magicians kings) come to our houses. They are called Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar. They gives gifts to people (specially childrens, like Santa, but they give three gifts). In Mexico we put christmas trees too. This month give me nostalgic moments. 
 
: Hello, Contradiction! 
First of all, congratulations for getting accepted as a reporter candidate. I'm sure you'll do a great job as a reporter.
Now, coming to how I celebrate my winter vacation. I'll only focus on Christmas, as I just spend the rest of the time lazing around :P
First of all, I don't see Christmas as a religious holiday. I see it as a time to be with friends, family, and people who are less fortunate than you.
I go out to watch the Christmas decorations with my parents, which are, usually, amazing.
Then, I buy my favoured hulls and turrets on the sale which the devs have prepared for us.
There is also a Christmas party at my dad's office where everyone enjoys each others' company.
And this, SIR(s), is how I celebrate my winter holidays!
 

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Well, that's it! 
What are your winter traditions? Don't hesitate to share your Christmas experiences in the comments below! Edited July 29, 2017 by Hexed

[KillerGnat 3,135]

Thanks for letting me be a part of this Contra. It's amazing to see all the different countries on the forum.

Edited December 18, 2015 by KillerGnat

[canadarules 1,938]

They play way too many christmas things on TV >.>

more sports please

not seeing the polar bears or igloos.. never had snow on Christmas day  ever .-.

i have had snow on new years

Edited December 18, 2015 by canadarules

[Barra 1,445]

Great topic! Hope to see more interviews in future :P

[Anonono 1,233]

Nice going!

 

And thanks for letting me be a part of your article!

Edited November 29, 2016 by Anonono

[canadian_tank 226]

They play way too many christmas things on TV >.>

more sports please

not seeing the polar bears or igloos.. never had snow on Christmas day  ever .-.

i have had snow on new years

Hey, how's downtown weather?

We have flurries here

[canadian_tank 226]

My experience is short and simple:

 

 

Wait about a month more for New Year, can you guess what tradition it is???

[Quarks 2,255]

It is nice to see so many Christians willing to talk openly in the forum, good job guys. 

[sha77777_super 877]

I don't have holidays :-(

[Zenyth 6,494]

It is nice to see so many Christians willing to talk openly in the forum, good job guys.

I'm not Christian

 

Great collection Contra and thanks for choosing me

[Yisroel.Rabin 16,224]

Once again, thanks for letting me take part in the article. That's my second time being in the newspaper :D

 

Hope my section wasn't to boring for ya'll to read XD I personally enjoyed reading the rest of the sections.

[Quarks 2,255]

I'm not Christian

 

Great collection Contra and thanks for choosing me

I know that, but a few of them are, so yeah. I figured that out.

[canadarules 1,938]

Hey, how's downtown weather?

We have flurries here

it is nice in the gta, i don't live downtown in Toronto

 

I know that, but a few of them are, so yeah. I figured that out.

meh, in the end we all are living so we should just be happy ))

[MJROCKS05 428]

+LaserShark

That was soo hilarious, loved ur response. I guess u should apply for the reporter's position  :)

 

 

[xX_CID_Xx 1,484]

Here in my garage I celebrate KNOWLEDGE (if you didn't know - I read a book per day) for fuel units. 

[Phoenix.Raised 5,992]

@Contradiction

 

More than 250 million people across the Earth celebrates Christmas on January 7th. Because of the Julian calendar.

You could mention that in at least one sentence. You forgot 250 milion people and their Christmas. Only one sentence to write that, but you did not.

Why?

[r_snowleopard0512030 66]

You got a good mix, other people aren't usually included in newspaper articles so much :)

[Phoenix.Raised 5,992]

@Contradiction

 

Eastern Orthodoxy - 225–300 million

 

You forgot this. You forgot people celebrating Christmas at January 7th (by Julian calendar). You forgot 225-300 milion people. Why you did not mention this in at least one sentence? Why? Why not a word about it?

[canadarules 1,938]

it is an interview from the perspectives of players aka a question a bunch of people answer....

[Phoenix.Raised 5,992]

it is an interview from the perspectives of players aka a question a bunch of people answer....

And @Contradiction was unable to ask a question related to Christmas to some of the players who are from a countries that celebrates Christmas on January 7th?

[Lhamster 4,081]

Because it so happened that none of the people asked celebrate that. He's not discriminating, he didn't "forget" it as he's not the one answering the question and he didn't know what people were going to answer when he asked them, and he has no responsibility to mention it as an extra.

 

What are your winter traditions? Don't hesitate to share your Christmas experiences in the comments below!

In fact, he left it open for other to share their experience, so you could have shared about celebrating it on the 7th of Jan, instead of getting on your high horse.

Edited December 24, 2015 by Lhamster

[Phoenix.Raised 5,992]

Because it so happened that none of the people asked celebrate that. He's not discriminating, he didn't "forget" it as he's not the one answering the question and he didn't know what people were going to answer when he asked them, and he has no responsibility to mention it as an extra.

 

In fact, he left it open for other to share their experience, so you could have shared about celebrating it on the 7th of Jan, instead of getting on your high horse.

I never thought that there is discrimination, and I think I asked a member @Contradiction

 

And yes, it is true that writes:

 

Don't hesitate to share your Christmas experiences in the comments below!

 

Also it is true that none of the bellow comments is in the article. To be honest they did not even deserve that.

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Before you think I'm on the "high horse" (I had to Google it because I'm too old for those terms) or that you think again that I think that there is discrimination, there are two strange things...

 

This:

 

a few members of the English community have chosen to share their traditions and impressions

If someone is chosen then it's not exactly "open for all" like you said, because in the published article only chosen impressions are included. For the rest of the Forum members is valid: "Write in the comments below".

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Also, before issuing edition 45 and this article, there was no "call" for members to share their Christmas experiences. Because members are chosen and experiences are chosen by newspapers staff. Like I said, for the rest of the community is valid: "Write in the comments below".

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I do not think that there is discrimination and I am not the "high horse". Only I do not like shallow explanations...

 

    Summa summarum, I do not care to discuss about this until doomsday who is right and who is wrong, only I do not like shallow, contradictory and illogical explanations. That is all.

 

Reading the experiences of selected members are nice to read and all the compliments on the article. To those who have written them as well as newspaper staff.

 

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it today

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lhamster 4,081]

 I think I asked a member @Contradiction

 

(I had to Google it because I'm too old for those terms)

 

If someone is chosen then it's not exactly "open for all" like you said, because in the published article only chosen impressions are included.

As the reporter admin, I can quite legitimately answer your question as well.

 

It's probs more because its a British term.

 

I never said it was open for all in the article, I was obviously referring to the comments.

 

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You posted 3 times about it, twice within 3 hours, when one post would suffice and your tone could have been much friendlier. My explanation is perfectly valid as to why he didn't "forget" it. This is how this kind of article works as Canadarules said, perhaps you should read the 10+ articles on 'Ask the Community'?

[KillerGnat 3,135]

Hey Lham, I appreciate your defenses, as you're an extremely talented writer, but I do believe that Contra should be able to defend himself. Part of becoming a reporter should be learning how to defend your views (just look at Stratus' many controversial articles), and not having the reporter admin come and clean up. I'm guessing there is a reason for this, maybe Contra was away or something, but still, to me, it seems low class if the writer of the article doesn't answer the questions. Just my opinion though, and I'm sure there's a reason for not doing it.

[Contradiction 1,242]

I would have commented sooner, but it's been a busy week. My apologies for the delay.

The individuals chosen for the article were selected simply because they were active forum users. 

I sent out a few PMs a few days before the issue (it was all very last minute). My main thought process was that I was in a hurry, and that I needed users who were active and would provide descriptive responses.

 

The reason I said "a few members have chosen to share their traditions" is because I sent out several PMs to a fairly large number of people. About half of these invitees chose to respond, while others did not choose to do so. It would have been an interesting idea to have a more open way of inviting members to the interview, but as I mentioned earlier, I had about three days before the issue was released to prepare, and that was really not enough time to do such a thing. 

 

I did not state that Christmas is frequently celebrated on the 7th of January. But, as you might notice, I never said that it was celebrated on the 25th, or any other date for that matter. I actually did not say anything. The participants in the interview were the only ones sharing their traditions. And, even among these interview participants, only one even mentioned the date the Christmas was celebrated on. 

I'm not going to name names, but as it happens I can think of a specific individual who was very likely part of the Eastern Orthodox church that I did invite to take part in the interview. They chose not to submit an entry, however. 

 

In any case, I feel like we shouldn't focus on this detail. This article was not at all focusing on Christmas, just winter traditions and holidays. Narrowing our gaze upon the differences in the Christian sects is not at all what I had intended, and it also is not really accomplishing anything. And, to be perfectly honest, I feel like the date Christmas is celebrated on is a little unimportant ( people celebrate Christmas on different dates. I have a cousin who celebrates Christmas on December 21st, and I have another who celebrates it on April 6th). 

 

Discrimination and/or ignoring important items was not in any way my intention. I am not sure if you will appreciate this bit of honesty, but I actually had no clue that the Eastern Orthodox church celebrated Christmas on the 7th until I read the comment to this interview. (Yes, I live in an American bubble, I apologize. I'm also not that religious of a person in the first place). 

 

And, if you are interested in what I would say to my own interview, here is my personal response: 

To me, I mainly appreciate the winter festivities due to the break in school and other responsibilities. It has been several months of school, and finals have just ended. I very much appreciate the break in school; early December is a busy, stressful time of the year that also occurs at the same time period in which I begin to burn out. 

Where I live, (central Texas if you are interested) it is an odd tradition of ours to display your Christmas tree in your front yard as opposed to keeping it inside of your house. Coupled with other decorations and Christmas lights, this makes our neighborhood a very beautiful area during the night. Where I'm at, the climate is very appreciable during the winter. Throughout this entire week the highs have been in the upper 70s in Fahrenheit, and it has been many years since it has snowed (or so I'm told).

Though I am not an actively religious person, I do celebrate Christmas and my family does make some special efforts throughout this final month.  December is a time in which I do a lot of service. As part of a service program, I work with the police department to help collect, wrap, and deliver gifts to poorer families throughout the city. It is a very fun experience. Christmas eve and Christmas day is usually observed while I am surrounded by relatives, and we do a number of activities together. During Christmas night, we turn out all lights and electronics, and cook our food over a fire. This is another unique but enjoyable tradition. 

I really appreciate the holiday season. It is a break in the midst of a chaotic life, and, although the season can be stressful in and of itself, I am glad that I have traditions and celebrations during this period of the year.