Qingming Festival in the eyes of foreigners

smile1233 (Thailand)

Why do you even call it "tomb sweeping"? No one I know goes to sweep any tombs. It took me three years to figure out you were talking about Qingming. The spirits benefit from prayers, and a stranger's well wishes are not wasted if he is sincere. While I don't want this tradition to end -- because it's a fun, bonding social gathering -- the spirits of your deceased loved ones can benefit from your prayers wherever you are, so you don't necessarily have to visit their burial places.