It is almost Chinese New Year and we can see Hong Kongers are busy preparing for the festival. Red packet money, also called \u201clai see\u201d, is one of the reasons why they are so busy.<\/p>\n
Hong Kong people are estimated to give nearly HKD 10 billion in “lai see” as gifts during\u00a0this CNY period. Assuming there are 3 million recipients, the average person would get HKD 3,333 during the holiday. While that’s a respectable\u00a0haul, it won’t get you very far in Hong Kong’s sky-high real estate market. For HKD 3,333 you could rent<\/a> a 500 square foot Hong Kong apartment\u00a0for almost 4 whole days or buy<\/a>\u00a0a whopping 0.15 square feet (or 22 square inches) of a typical Hong Kong apartment, that’s about the size of your smartphone.<\/p>\n How much do you know about this \u201clai see\u201d custom? Let\u2019s see if you can answer all of the following questions.<\/p>\n 1. What is \u201clai see\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLai see\u201d is a little red envelope with money inside. The money is normally in the form of a banknote but not coins.<\/p>\n The red colour symbolizes good luck in the Chinese culture so giving out \u201clai see\u201d is to wish others good luck in the new year. The \u201clai see\u201d can also serve to thank others for their contribution in the past as well as to express good will.<\/p>\n \u201cLai see\u201d is not randomly given to others. There are two possible situations. First, \u201clai see\u201d is given from people of higher status to that of lower status. For example, \u201clai see\u201d is given from old to young (age) and from senior to junior (power). Second, \u201clai see\u201d can be given from the people who receives the service to people who provides the service.<\/p>\n Normally, people will greet each other by saying some good words such as Kung Hei Fat Choi (Wish you good luck) and Sun Nin Fai Lok (Happy new year). Then, people will give out \u201clai see\u201d as a response to the greetings. The receiver can say other good words or simply say thank you upon getting the \u201clai see\u201d.<\/p>\n Nowadays, Hong Kong people usually put $20 or $50 in their \u201clai see\u201d. Those with higher incomes or those looking to be exceedingly\u00a0generous can give $100 or even $500. It is noteworthy that people usually put only one note in the packet. That means if you plan to give out a $100 red packet, you usually put in one $100 note but not two $50 notes. You shouldn’t give “$40” as the number 4 is bad luck in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n If you are married, you should give out two \u201clai see\u201d packets per recipient. One packet is given from you, and the other is given from your spouse. Even if your spouse is not physically present on the occasion, you have to give out the \u201clai see\u201d packet on his\/her behalf. If you are single, you only need to give one packet out each time.<\/p>\n You should avoid using old and scrunched up bank notes. The Chinese new year symbolizes a new start, so it is preferred to use new and unfolded bank notes.<\/p>\n2. Why people give out \u201clai see\u201d?<\/h3>\n
3. Who gives \u201clai see\u201d to whom?<\/h3>\n
4. What are the procedures for giving and receiving \u201clai see\u201d?<\/h3>\n
5. What amount of money do people usually put in the \u201clai see\u201d packet?<\/h3>\n
6.\u00a0 What are the rules of giving \u201clai see\u201d?<\/h3>\n