Foochow men wearing necktie

In the past many people used to joke that a Chinese man would only wear a necktie three times in his life: his church confirmaton, his wedding, and his own funeral. Some people would however disagree and they would say, the first time a Foochow man wore a neck tie would be for his first graduation, and then wedding and finally his own funeral.

My beloved late uncle ,Lau Pang Sing , took three lovely photos wearing a necktie . Firstly he wore a nice necktie for his wedding, and then for a great family photo at a Sibu studio. He then took a photo for his passport , his last formal photo which the family made into a porcelain portrait, used for his funeral.




A lovely wedding portrait is always wholesome to look at. You would think about how wondeful the newly wedded couple look, and how blissful their marriage would be. I truly believe that my Third Uncle and Aunty were a match made in heaven. He chose her to be his future bride without any hesitation when the match maker came. He made up his mind instantaneously according to my maternal grandmother. Perhaps that is why this special wedding portrait shows two happy people.




My uncle and his first three children, Kiing Tuan, Lau Ching and Lau Ing. This kind of photo will make future generations smile and remember good things about the past generations.






this last official and formal photo of his was selected for his funeral. We Foochows are not like the Koreans who would purposefully go to a studio to have a " funeral" photo taken. When this photo was taken my uncle was already a happy grandfather and he really looked very happy and prosperous. He had his ups and downs in life, but at the end of the day, he travelled widely, he was a good road builder of high regard.

However, a person's last photo always makes me feel sad. There is a great sense of loss surroudning such an image. Rest in Peace, Sang Giu.