Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Red envelopes are used for giving money on special occasions.
Finally, when giving gifts, consider the number of items that you're presenting someone
with. Just one can be considered miserly, especially if the item itself isn't expensive; four is
unlucky; and eight is thought to be very fortunate indeed.
Red Envelopes
Red envelopes (
紅包
,
hóngb
ā
o
) are envelopes filled with money, which are traditionally
given to children and relatives at Chinese New Year, as well as to couples at weddings and
to employees for their year-end bonuses. Unfortunately, the amount of money can be ex-
tremely contentious, even among Chinese people. In some cases, it might be just enough
for children to get themselves a gift such as a T-shirt or an Xbox game, but in many cases
it might be as high as RMB1,000 or more if it's for someone who needs to be impressed.
The closer you are to the person, the more money it should be. If you're the boss, it's also
expected to be more generous than what might come in other envelopes. If you're unsure
of the appropriate amount to put in the envelope, ask your Chinese friends for their advice,
and if in doubt, err on the side of generosity. A well-padded red envelope can be good for
relationship building. For best effect, go to the bank to get new, crisp notes, and ensure the
amount contains the numbers 6, 8, or 9, and not 4, 7, or 250. When handing the envelope
