Residents' Consumption during the Spring Festival
What is clearly presented in the above pie chart is the proportion of residents' consumption during the Spring Festival in a certain city of China. The consumption of New Year presents is the highest among the four categories, at about 40%. Meanwhile, the proportions of transportation are the same as that of dinner parties and others, at about 20%. Interestingly, the consumption of presents is twice of that they spend on other categories.
It is not difficult to come up with some possible factors accounting for this phenomenon. On the one hand, with the rapid development of economy, people live an affluent life. Solid economic foundation enables them to send valuable gifts to their relatives, friends and bosses. On the other hand, it is a time-honored custom and courtesy to send gifts on a festival. As the idiom goes, "Courtesy on one side cannot last long". Therefore, reciprocity contributes to the Spring Festival consumption.
Given the analyses above, I firmly believe that sending presents should be upheld. However, residents should bear in mind that hard work and plain living is also our traditional virtue. Great importance should be attached to rationalize the consumption, combat extravagance and waste on festival presents.