![]() ![]() There’s no appropriate way to request red packet money. If “Lai See Dow Loi” is considered impolite, what is the appropriate way to request/thank the giver for red packet money?Īlso, who is the guy in the costume & log beard who gives red packet money to single ladies (& children – I’m not clear on this tradition either)? Then there are friends of the family, who are well-to-do who often give out $5-$10 to every child they meet. I have close relatives on fixed incomes who could only afford to give out $2-$4 per child. Of course, these amounts are often adjusted for income. Some families may give out more than this, others less. But this is really dependent of your own family situation. Parents will often give their own children $10-$20. Favorite uncles, aunts, grandparents, and close friends may give $20 or more. Once you hit $5 and $10 amounts, it is usually close family and relatives. Some friends and family will give $4 (divided into 2 envelopes). This can be given in either 1 or 2 envelopes depending on your style. For someone who you just met or is just an acquaintance, you usually give $2. Don’t give out change, it’s just not done. I have received more than my fair share of lai see as a child and have since given out many myself, so here are my thoughts.īasically, the minimum amount can be the smallest paper denomination available, although I have never personally seen less than $2. I noticed that people are looking to find out how much money is appropriate to give for red packet money. It makes the parents look bad as some people might consider it bad manners. Some kids will playfully follow that with “Lai See Dow Loi”, meaning “Give me red packet money!”Īs you can imagine, parents don’t like it when their kids say it to other people. “Kung Hey Fat Choy”, meaning “Congratulations and Be Prosperous”, is something that people say to each other in Cantonese during the Chinese New Year. Tweet 14 Responses to “Traditions of the Chinese New Year – Visiting Relatives and Giving Red Packet Money” The Mama Lisa’s World Taiwan Page for more Chinese Children’s Songs I will write more as I think of more Chinese New Year related traditions.Ĭome visit the Mama Lisa’s World China page for Kids Songs from China and which red packets from your pocket, to give them. Then, when you run into someone and have to give their kids red packet money, you make a quick assessment of how close these people are to you, and you decide how much, i.e. It’s common practice to walk around with several red packets in your pocket, some carrying less money, some carrying more. – While we are still on the topic of red packet money … How much money should you give? Well, it depends on whom you’re giving to. Unfortunately, there is no “International Red Packet Money Council” to set the rules. She, on the other hand, insists that once you get married, no matter what happens, you give up your red packet money eligibility for good. When you get divorced you regain your eligibility. I think as long as you’re single, you’re good. There has been a lot of debate between me and my co-worker Kate about whether or not someone who is divorced is eligible for red packet money. ![]() In general, as long as you’re not married and relatively young (maybe up to 30, but don’t quote me on that), you get red packet money. Red packet money, however, is not limited to kids. And you and your husband will give my brother’s two kids red packet money. For example, if your family goes to visit my brother’s family, my brother and sister-in-law will give your kids red packet money. Uncles and aunts give their nephews and nieces red packet money too.Īnd remember I said that people visit one another during the New Year? Well, the visitors will give each other’s kids red packet money. Parents give their kids red packet money on New Year’s day. – Red packet money: It’s money stuffed inside a red envelope, usually with a new-year-related drawing and/or writing in gold on the front. New Year’s day and the couple of days that follow) it is especially encouraged. Not that you’re not allowed to visit your friends and relatives during the year, but at the beginning of the New Year (i.e. – The New Year is a time for friends and relatives to go visit one another. I asked him how the Chinese New Year is celebrated. January 29th is the first day of the Chinese New Year in 2006. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |