"路過"

Ernesto Cortazar "You Are My Everything" from the album "Together"


"路過", in certain situation, has a special meaning now, at least in Taiwan.

Recently, there has been a newly created roadside activity, or more correctly a roadside "attraction", in many cities of Taiwan. It is called "路過". The crowd made their voices (訴求) heard when they passed by (路過) their pre-labeled sites (特定地點).  "路過" is an interesting yet noisy activity.

Accordingly, "路過", in English, means "pass through" or "pass by", or "drive by" if you drive a car.

As a matter of fact, "路過" or "drive by" is a routine practice of a housewife, whom I have known well, to get many of her jobs done at the same time.

To her, "路過", or "drive by", means "saving" - saving time, energy and money.

She can accomplish many tasks in one trip by practicing the philosophy and wisdom of "路過" .

After banking, she dropped by a few nearby stores in town to buy some money saving "on-sale" items, and at the same time, returned unnecessary items that she had bought, drove by city hall to pay the water and utility bills, saving postage fees, drove by the gas station that had the lowest gas prices, even the tank was still half full.

When she saw some real great bargains in certain stores, she would called her children to see if they needed so that she could buy for them. On her way home, she often phoned her spouse so that she could also buy stuff he needed.

She wanted to get as many things as possible done in just one trip by seizing the benefit of "順便路過", or "might as well driving by".

She would not make any unessential or unnecessary trips, which she considered to be "白花油".

This is the true beauty of "路過".

Happy Mother’s Day!


Yeh Tze