The custom of sending Spanish mackerel to the old father-in-law originated in Shazikou, Laoshan, Qingdao.
"The Spanish mackerel jumps, and the husband laughs". Buy Spanish mackerel to send to the father-in-law, mother-in-law, father and mother to show the filial piety of the younger generation. Now, Spanish mackerel has become synonymous with filial piety. Nowadays, it has become a social fashion to send some fresh Spanish mackerel to relatives and elders in spring.
The custom that a son-in-law sends Spanish mackerel to his parents-in-law has its origin. Before the opening of Qingdao, there was a story among the people. A child named Xiao Wu whose parents died was adopted by an old man. The old man who adopted him later betrothed his daughter to Xiao Wu. One spring, the old man suddenly fell ill and wanted to eat fresh fish on his deathbed, but the weather was not very good and it was windy every day. Xiao Wu risked his life to go to sea The daughter has been staying by her mother's side and kept saying, "mom, mom, don't die yet." Xiaowu will be back soon. " The old man nodded: "Good boy, it's hard for Xiao Wu, that's it, that's it …" The old man swallowed before he finished. Just then Xiao came back with a big fresh fish, but the old man had passed away. The couple were heartbroken and wept bitterly, so they had to cook the fresh fish and offer it to the old man's coffin. Since then, Mr. and Mrs. Xiao Wu have dedicated this big fish just caught in early spring to the grave of the old man every year, and named it "Bayu" according to what the old man said before his death, which is now Spanish mackerel. After the news spread, people got inspiration from Xiao Wu's experience, that is, the old people must be full of what they can eat, and the old people must eat what they want, especially the Spanish mackerel in spring. Therefore, it has become a long-standing custom to send Spanish mackerel to honor in-laws in spring, which has been passed down to this day.