Because they’re Japanese. The original fortune cookie, called “tsujiura senbei (“fortune crackers”), omikuji senbei (“written fortune crackers”), or suzu senbei (“bell crackers”)”, appears to be from bakeries surrounding a Shinto shrine in Kyoto, and when Japanese immigrants introduced them in America, Chinese immigrants picked up the ball and ran with it. Japanese fortunes seem more practical than today’s lottery numbers: “To ward off lower back pain or joint problems, undertake some at-home measures like yoga.”
2 thoughts on “Why are There No Fortune Cookies in China?”
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I agree about the practicality of the messages. I’ve always felt that they needed to be more specific. For example, “After leaving this restaurant you will be hit by a bus. Take evasive action” or “Your wife is sleeping with that guy. Yes, the one in the blue sweater.”
Wouldn’t that be more fun?
I don’t see that being told stuff you’re probably happier not knowing would be fun, J.
The whole point about nebulous predictions is that they stimulate our hopes and fantasies.