Durian Daily’s Guide To Red Packet/Ang Pao Etiquette
Chinese New Year is upon us! For many, the practice of giving and receiving red packets has always been a subject of confusion. How much should I ask for? Am I allowed to open it right away? Is it OK to use red packets that are black in colour? Here are some of Durian Daily’s tips to correct ang pao etiquette:
Black-coloured ang paos are acceptable as long as you are giving it to an ex-lover, mother-in-law or a person you generally dislike
Writing your name on the ang pao before giving it helps the recipient keep track of your generosity or lack thereof
As long as the person giving the red packet has red hair, it is perfectly OK to open the red packet immediately upon receiving it
If the receiver of the red packet is unemployed, it is considered rude to give anything less than $250
It is customary to give only coins if the recipient is wearing an expensive watch or driving a luxury vehicle
It is rude to take a red packet with just one hand unless your other hand is occupied with a pineapple tart
