To Give Or Not To Give

As we all know Chinese all over the world are celebrating Chinese New Year now which will last for fifteen days. Married couples are required to give "Ang Pau" (red packet with money in it) to others who are single during these fifteen days. Bosses too gives "Ang Pau" to workers etc. Single folks, customary, do not give Ang Pau to others. I have absolutely no problem with this but one small hiccup.

Sometime single folks who are about my age or older than me would appear and I am not sure if I should give that person an Ang Pau. Felt kinda awkward to give and not sure if they would feel offended to received.

I would normally give to those who are single but younger than me. I have distance relatives, quite a few actually, who are still single and no intention of getting marry, ever. There was a time, I heard a little child asking her mom how come that particular auntie didn't give her an Ang Pau because that aunt look old enough to start giving.

There are also those that grow up with me and never got married and every year when I gave out And Pau to nieces and nephews and children and have to give him one, he receives unpleasantly. Maybe because I am only two years his senior and had been giving him Ang Pau for almost twenty years now. Hmmm wonder if I should stop giving him or continue and pretend that it is not a big deal.

If only we could exchange gift like Christmas instead of giving Ang Pau, then awkward moments like these would never appear but then again, our tradition will be loss for ever.

Happy Chinese New Year to all and thanks for reading. By the way, do you have any awkward moments that you would like to share?

Ang Pau

The above is a picture of "Ang Pau" packets. It is sort of like a red envelope for you can put money inside. Since it is for Chinese New Year, they normally comes in red or anything bright with pictures or nice Chinese wordings wishing all a prosperous new year.

This year, Chinese New Year falls on Valentines Day. What a coincident. Most Chinese (still dating) couples especially if they both comes from different states, would be miles apart on Valentines Day, this year. Normally the first day of Chinese New Year we would spent it with our immediate family members.

This celebration last for 15 days in which during these days, married couple are to hand out "Ang Pau" to children and all those who are still single regardless of age, actually. Well, there are those elderly people who are single give "Ang Pau" to their nieces and nephews. That's why when you are not married and in your late thirties or forties, it is quite embarrassing to receive "Ang Pau" from someone younger than you.

I read in the papers sometime ago, about this 2 ladies from U.S who open a shop for people to exchange their Christmas gifts. No money was involved and it is a non profit company. It seems that every year, thousands of people would return their gifts to shops in exchange for money. Malaysian shops won't allow that. So now they can exchange it in this special shop for anything you like, even though the value is much more or less.

Why not, all start giving "Ang Pau" , money or gift vouchers from now on. This way we save all the trouble going shopping, cracking our heads as to what to buy for who. At least you won't end up getting the same gift from different friends and relatives.

I stop buying presents for my sons on birthdays, long time ago, since they started schooling. I give them money every year. It is up to them to buy something they like or save the money in the bank. That way I don't have to see their disappointed look in their face when I bought the wrong gifts.

I would like to wish all Chinese a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Thanks for reading.