Why is Chinese food so popular on Christmas?

Are you Jewish? My Jewish BIL said that's Christmas for them because everything else is closed.

Survey says...

quote:

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Because they're open.

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After a day of dried out turkey, again, Chinese is just hits the spot

It is a Jewish tradition. My understanding is it originates from the earlier parts of the 20th century when many Jewish families lived in neighborhoods that were less affluent and also occupied by immigrant families (particularly those of Asian origin). On Christmas Day many businesses would be closed, with a notable exception being the Asian eateries. One thing led to another, and there you have it -- tradition is born. Avenue Pub is even doing a Chinese food event this year.

Great scene.

Love it when the guy chops off the duck's head with the giant cleaver.

Like most people, Jews get hungry at least once a day. They also don't celebrate Christmas, so there's not a feast on the table on Christmas day and almost every business is closed.

The Chinese don't really celebrate Christmas, either, and small Chinese restaurants are often run by small insular families. Consequently, a large number of the restaurants don't have any Christian employees whining about working on Christmas. So, you're likely to find a Chinese restaurant being one of the few food outlets open on Christmas.

So, while most people are off celebrating Christmas, Jewish people are hungry and Chinese people are selling food. It's a symbiosis and it's caught on to become a thing outside of the Jewish and Chinese communities.

Because the delis are run by Jewish people, and they're eating at the Chinese place down the street, too.

Duh.