There are some do’s and don’ts that we must all adhere to when it comes to ang pow during Chinese New Year. It’s a good idea to teach some of these ang pow do’s and don’ts to our children too, as good manners in our children reflect their upbringing and our parenting.
The way we handle giving out ang pows will also reflect our own mannerisms. So let’s do what’s right and expected of us, according to what’s customary. Many of us already know these, but it’s a good reminder and maybe a little something new for those who aren’t accustomed to the Chinese ways.
Some Do’s And Don’ts With Ang Pows For Kids And Adults Alike
Do: Give ang pows with two hands — it’s only good manners.
Do: Receive ang pows with two hands — equally good manners and grace to the giver.
Don’t: Do not open ang pow in front of the giver (not even for a little peek!)
Do: Give an amount in even number, but skip the number four — Chinese believe that good things come in pairs. And, the number four is inauspicious and related to the word death. So avoid it at all cost.
Don’t: Never use a white ang pow packet — it’s only used as a love offering at a funeral for the bereaved family.
Do: Use new, crisp bills — giving wrinkled, dirty notes is considered to be in bad taste.
Don’t: No coins — period.
Don’t: Never let a child give an ang pow to an adult — if you want to give ang pows to your helper or other service staff, don’t let your child hand them the ang pows. It is insulting to the adults.
Do: Express thanks to the giver when receiving an ang pow — look the person in the eye, and offer an appropriate Chinese New Year greeting on top of saying thank you.
How Much Ang Pow Money Is Appropriate?
This depends on your affordability. Obviously we wouldn’t want it to be an overkill on our pockets, so be mindful that we shouldn’t be pressured to follow other people’s norms. Just do you, and be OK with that. After all, it is about giving from the heart.
I know of some of my family members who are very well organised and keep very good record of their ang pow rates. They are consistent in what they give every year, and tend to follow a hierarchy system in determining how much to give to family members and friends.
Some like it to be a system of fairness, giving the same amounts to parents, siblings, children, employees, etc. This is a sure way of getting into trouble with talks of biases if ever the receivers compare their ang pows with each other.
So you may want to draw up your own fixed rates and just go with that every year. But know that even if you have done so, it’s still alright to vary according to your budget every year. We have ups and downs, and shouldn’t be pressured to keep up with something that breaks our bank accounts.
There are some suggested ang pow rates that you can go by if that’s within your means. Or, feel free to work out your own.
Ang Pow In Modern Day And Amidst The Pandemic
Many of us won’t be able to meet up with our family members and friends due to the pandemic. Travel restrictions and bans and all lockdowns happening around the world.
Not wanting to skip the ang pow tradition, we can always do it differently. Singaporeans are encouraged to give electronic ang pows as a safer and more environmentally friendly practise this year. Are you up to this new way of giving ang pows?