I've heard that in Bali they welcome in the New Year (usually in March) with a day of complete silence.
Oh, what a wonderful idea.
It's not just the silence of a household, but an island-wide rejection of activity. All lights and sounds are turned off, no pedestrians are allowed to walk about, traffic is banned (even the airport shuts), worldly bustle foregone and all is quiet. Ah, the serenity.
Can you imagine?
Some might say it's a bit like any Sunday in a small town, and they might have a point, but I imagine it's even more completely still.
The kids wouldn't be allowed on the X-Box, shooting up the enemy. No one would be yahooing out the front of the pub. No one could ask their mother 20 times a day what they could do because they're bored...
Perfection. In fact, let's do it once a week. I believe this used to be called 'the Sabbath' - what a jolly sensible idea.
In Bali, people are expected to pray, and meditate on values such as love, kindness and patience, thereby re-dedicating themselves for the coming year. I can't see anything wrong with that.
So I'm considering starting a petition that we introduce the practice in Australia.
I know there are people who perhaps will overindulge on New Year's Eve and would love a bit of shoosh the next day, so I can count on their support, I'm sure.
Also, I think people who are rostered on to flip burgers and sell groceries would jump on board a mandated 'no shopping' day. Especially given the state of penalty rates these days.
I'm not sure how we would police the situation though.
In Bali there are actual watchmen walking about on the streets enforcing the rule, which seems a bit unfair to them since they have to therefore break it themselves to do their job.
And what if they find someone doing the wrong thing? Do they have to arrest them in sign language?
On second thoughts, maybe I'll just lock myself in my room with some noise cancelling head phones.
Peace at last.
