Saturday, March 10, 2007

漫談飯盒



如果問我,和家人移居外國,最深刻的回憶是怎麼?我會答:是飯盒.

不是粟米豬排飯或叉雞雙拼.是一個耐熱,易洗,能放進微波爐的膠盒子.

八九十年代趕潮流移民的香港人,很多都是非富則貴,因此有「色魔」(食銀行利息,日日行mall)的稱號.但是,還有一群不那麼富裕的移民,要在陌生的地方,咬緊牙關為生計掙扎.

外國地大,午飯時間不過數十分鐘,總不能花半小時開車去買午餐.而且,新移民幹的都不是高薪厚職,捨不得花錢出外吃,自然要入鄉隨俗,自備午飯.外國人通常是做個簡單的三文治;中國人本著節儉的美德,吃的,理所當然地是昨晚的飯菜.飯盒,是不能缺少的謀生工具.

香港沒有飯盒文化.初時,看到一個個盛滿「隔夜(食送)」的飯盒,很不習慣那在異地只求生存,不計體面的寒酸.在華人較多的工廠和辦公室,午飯時會出現十數人在微波爐前排隊「叮叮」的場景.週日晚家庭間的聚會,桌上疊著十個八個形形式式一樣菜式的飯盒,也十分壯觀.

飯盒亦是家庭的經濟指標.「盒在工在」,若晚飯時不用另外盛起明天的飯盒,再美味的食物,也驅不去那人浮於事的生活重擔.

我的飯盒資齡很短,只曾在當暑期工時,和剛畢業後的一兩年嚐過飯盒生涯.獨居後,今天晚飯也不知何去何從,怎顧得了明天的午餐?每天都是和同事們到處亂吃,一到十二時便要費心思量到那兒午膳.偶然,也會懷念那個膠盒子.

爸媽到今天仍在工作,卻總算渡過了為口奔馳的日子.回到家裡,看見他們仍樂在其中,一箸箸挾著明日的午飯,真是百般滋味在心頭.

因為,我心中明白,多年來一個一個飯盒載著的,是對我們將來的期望.今天,馬馬虎虎算是沒有讓他們失望;可惜我不能回饋甚麼,甚至抽不到多少時間陪伴他們.更遺憾是,我沒有努力過,也不懂得珍惜.常常為了芝麻綠豆的小事煩惱,為可有可無的事物在揮霍光陰,為無無謂謂的固執而不快樂.

或許,真正的快樂,是來自對明天的盼望;是盛滿飯盒後,合上蓋子那一刻的踏實感覺.都遠了.

3 comments:

  1. 你心中明白便去做吧..
    趁還未太遲的時候..

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  2. I recalled my lunchbox experience. It was first for my summer job as I had to save money for my overseas conference when I was at university. Then it was my first year in UK when I really could not count on those sandwiches or salads in supermarket in winter time. I cooked my rice and dishes, as you said, a day earlier for lunch box. Since I move to UK, I realise that house chore is not something simple. I start to appreciate what my parents did for me in the past was really fabulous and great. I finally start to appreciate it.

    I haven't got my lunch box now as I gradually move into the UK style - salad and crisp. Not something I really want, but at least I can now cope with and I am lazy too.

    I was upset the other days. But then during a conversation with my colleague from Zimbawei, I realise that I am really lucky. So I can't complain any more. But I know I would forget it in a few days and back to my grumpy mood. I always need someone to remind me. That's me, unfortunately.

    Can't say anymore, but I hope you can find a way to be more happy and have more fun. Travelling can be a good option.

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  3. abby:收到!

    stella:Actually,I packed my lunchbox the other day, but when my co-workers saw it, they immediately complained: "you are tearing the team apart!". haha.

    Thinking about travelling...UK is still my first choice.

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