Vaters' Tag o Araw ng mga Tatay sa Alemanya

In Germany, we celebrate Father's Day on
Christi Himmelfahrt or Ascension Day. Why they choose this day
to honour German fathers is not the reason for this posting, but I
think I have stayed long enough in Germany to say that if one asks
me about symbolic image associated with Vaters Tag, I would not
think twice but would say men with beer and carts.

Symbols for me for today's honouring the 'breadwinner' of
German families are not men pushing baby carts but men dragging
carts full of beers. It is actually a day for men to go
bonding, grilling and whole day feasting on Wursts (sausages)
and beer with their male friends. I read the other day a German
online survey asking male readers to click on what they would be
doing on this especial day for fathers, drinking excluded as this
is considered as the alpha and omega of this celebration.
* i will go hiking
* i will stay in the garden (will work or will grill?)
* i will go boating
* i will go biking

While loving mothers stay with their families and
enjoy their house arrest and cake with them, dutiful
breadwinners and fathers are granted this especial day to spend
it with their buddies sans baby carts and screaming kids.

And when I see men so gloriously drunk on their
way home after a whole day of fatherly leisure,
either I begin to understand or wonder why they choose
Ascension Day as Father's Day in Alemanya.

Prost! Magbeer muna tayo!

Salamat sa mga uliran Tatay: Chito, Eddie and his Apo Andrea,
and cooking wizard, Glen.