International Picnic Day: A What, How, and Where | By Caroline Ann Jia Ling
Illustration by Nicole
It’s halfway through the semester for many of us. Buried under a mountain of coursework and assignments? Rest assured, you are not alone—we are too. As the weeks go on, our will to live decreases. With International Picnic Day 2023 coming up on 18 June, let’s all take a well-deserved break! Grab a friend to go with you—even if you have to drag them—for a little picnic!
Historically, picnics were originally meals in the Middle Ages that the French would take while out on a hunt. The French Revolution caused many to flee their home country, bringing along and spreading their picnicking habits to other countries. Over time, people’s love for picnics grew; a Pic Nic Society was formed, and the little meals became elaborate feasts. Picnics were such a trend that people even held these social events as political protests in times of unrest. As of today, picnics are a simple meal taken outdoors. If you’re planning to have a picnic, be prepared; picnics are no picnic. Here are a few tips to get you started!
If there’s one thing anyone who knows anything about Malaysia knows to do, it would be to check the weather. When planning outdoor activities, weather forecasts are your friend in avoiding unplanned and unpleasant circumstances. Not only that, remember to dress for the weather. While it is tempting to look picture-perfect, it’s important to remember to wear light clothing to avoid heat stroke in the blazing hot sun! Next, prepare for your meal. Bring along a picnic blanket to avoid getting your clothes and food dirty. Alternatively, you could also use a tablecloth, or an available picnic bench! Warning: use tablecloths at your own risk. We are not responsible for any scoldings by mothers for dirty tablecloths. Finally, although traditional picnic baskets are aesthetically pleasing, coolers are helpful in keeping your food fresh and safe to consume.
So, you have the equipment to carry out a picnic. What will you bring? Food, of course! The best foods for a picnic are usually finger foods, like sandwiches or devilled eggs. If you’d prefer local flavours, you could bring along some kuih or satay. The choices are limitless! Other than food, you could also bring along some activities, such as Monopoly or Uno. Just be prepared for any possible arguments that may break out over Uno. When in doubt, stuff your mouth (with more food). For something more artistic, you could bring a canvas with some paints to draw the scenery. You can even turn this into a game, where you switch canvases every 10 minutes!
Last but not least, find a suitable place for a picnic. Some parks or playgrounds have suitable terrain for a comfortable picnic. Make sure to check any park rules to ensure they allow eating! If you’ve decided to use a picnic blanket and eat on the floor, avoid pet-friendly parks as animals may smell the food and try to approach you. Remember to bring along a trash bag as well to clean up any mess you’ve made, and leave the place better than you found it. No ideas on where to have a picnic? You could always drop by Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus! The university allows picnics by the lake as long as appropriate clothing is worn—avoid littering, making excess noise, and any illegal activities.
You now know everything to have a fun picnic! All that’s left for you is to pack your food and go. Bring a friend or a loved one along, or don’t. Alone time is nice too! Hopefully, this article has helped you take a break from mountains of endless work and have a picnic.
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