Chinese New Year: Gift Etiquette

sparkanum on 31/01/2019 - 13:55
Last edited 31/01/2019 - 13:56

Ni hao!

I've been learning mandarin for a few months now with a tutor. I suddenly realised this morning that Chinese New Year is almost here, and was curious as to whether I should get the tutor a gift.

I looked up what to get (e.g. Even numbers of gifts, make sure it's wrapped in red, yellow or gold, don't give certain items, etc) but have no idea whether it is considered weird for a student to do this. I.e. whether it's considered more a close friends and family thing to do.

Can anyone more familiar with the culture help me out? Would it be expected for me to get something? Would a couple of red envelopes filled with green tea or something be too little? Or is there something else you'd suggest getting / doing?

Before anyone suggests it, I can't afford to buy them an $80k Mitsubishi or bikies or a stack of eneloops.

This is part of Lunar New Year Deals for 2019
General Discussion Lunar New Year

Comments

  • Hybroid on 31/01/2019 - 13:56
    +3

    Can't go wrong with a small cake or dessert platter from a Chinese bakery.

    Example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nian_gao

    • 87percent on 31/01/2019 - 14:29

      or biscuits

    • angusngon9 on 31/01/2019 - 14:31

      I've picked up ones that taste really bad…

      • Hybroid on 31/01/2019 - 14:32

        They'll all taste bad in a week. Point is it's a common generic gift. Works with any culture.

        • angusngon9 on 31/01/2019 - 14:37

          I'm just saying it's hard to get a good one in Sydney but I'm sure the tutor would appreciate the effort even if its not good.

    • scrimshaw on 31/01/2019 - 14:42
      +2

      I prefer rou gan (lit. dried meat). It's a savoury meat covered with a sweet glaze, tried it in Singapore and was immediately hooked on it.
      https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2017/01/13/savoury-treat…

      The only issue is finding them at a decent price and they are expensive all year round. you'll probably find lots of these in the city / china town area.

      • 87percent on 31/01/2019 - 15:57
        +1

        aka bak kwa

  • Archi on 31/01/2019 - 14:25
    +1

    sweets and fruit baskets are best

  • angusngon9 on 31/01/2019 - 14:29
    +3

    If you're married and older than the tutor, you can consider red packets. You put money inside and its a gesture of good fortune for the new year. No set amount of money, the more the better of course but $10 would be nice. Honestly I wouldn't be expecting any red packets in Australia, any that comes my way is a bonus.

    If you're going to give tea don't put it in a red envelope. Just gift wrap it.

    Easiest choice - go to supermarket and get a box of chocolate (gift wrap it in red if you're keen). Maltesers boxes are in red and look nice.

    • John Kimble on 31/01/2019 - 15:27

      If you're going to give tea don't put it in a red envelope. Just gift wrap it.

      What, are you saying one serving of loose leaf tea in red packet is not a good idea?

      • angusngon9 on 31/01/2019 - 22:23
        +5

        I would love to see the tutor's reaction when he/she opens a red envelope with green tea LOL

    • sparkanum on 31/01/2019 - 21:07

      I'm married but probably younger or the same age. Why do those things factor in (out of interest)?

      • SmiTTy on 31/01/2019 - 22:25

        Its just customary.
        You only give red packets if you're married… Otherwise you would be on the receiving end

      • angusngon9 on 31/01/2019 - 22:27
        +2

        Red packets are traditionally given from elders to young ones. In some places they give red packets to kids until they are 18, some places give red packets until they get married.

        But in saying that nobody would refuse a red packet. It shows your effort as well haha

  • HighAndDry on 31/01/2019 - 14:30
    +1

    Would a couple of red envelopes filled with green tea or something

    I've only ever seen red envelopes used to hold money… someone else who's more Chinese correct me if I'm wrong?

    • angusngon9 on 31/01/2019 - 14:34

      If i recall correctly it was first designed to hold a piece of red paper with written phrases that wishes for luck and fortune when it first started, then it somehow became money afterwards

    • John Kimble on 31/01/2019 - 15:27
      +3

      someone else who's more Chinese

      What percentage Chinese are you? How else would we know we are more?

      • HighAndDry on 31/01/2019 - 16:06

        I was speaking more culturally than genetically…… (though that's a good question. I guess if you knew the answer to my question for sure (i.e. more sure than I am), you'd qualify?)

    • bobbified on 31/01/2019 - 16:06
      +2

      I LOL'd at the suggestion of green tea in the red envelope! haha

      • sparkanum on 31/01/2019 - 21:04
        +3

        This is the kind of embarrassing stupidity I'm trying to avoid displaying by asking this forum!

        • bobbified on 01/02/2019 - 00:12

          This is the kind of embarrassing stupidity I'm trying to avoid

          I'm sure that your teacher would appreciate a good laugh. It's nothing offensive or anything haha.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 31/01/2019 - 14:31
    +2

    just gift them $20 in a red envelop

  • AssamLaksa on 31/01/2019 - 14:33
    +6

    Chinese people are always happy to receive a 'courtesy' red packet (hung bao/ang pow) with money in it. Avoid unlucky amounts like 4 though (or anything with a 4). 8 is always a safe bet.

    I say 'courtesy' red packet because hung bao is traditionally given by a married individual to a young/unmarried family member/children

  • Skramit on 31/01/2019 - 14:50
    +1

    make sure you give it with 2 hands.

    • Marcsie on 31/01/2019 - 15:47

      Only if that person is older than you :)

      • Skramit on 31/01/2019 - 16:11

        Dammit

  • yoonibear on 31/01/2019 - 15:28

    Parents usually give the in-laws a platter with these cylinder boxes of tea leaves, home made cakes and a red envelope. She'll it up with red cellophane and gold ribbons.

    But in your case - a red envelope with say $20 bucks should be fine. Or $44 if you're daring >:D

    • HighAndDry on 31/01/2019 - 16:08
      -1

      Or $44 if you're daring >:D

      That's just mean….

  • g0m04 on 31/01/2019 - 16:23
    +2

    gift to avoid:

    clock (sound the same as death)
    green hat (green clothing in general, usually means to someone is mowing his lawn)

  • modgod on 31/01/2019 - 20:42

    Bubble tea

  • SmiTTy on 31/01/2019 - 22:42
    +4

    My suggestion, food.
    There are a whole heap of Chinese New year snacks and sweets that come out only during this time. In parts of Asia, things like pineapple tarts are great. Also many types of biscuits etc

    • redforever on 01/02/2019 - 09:05
      +1

      This. It will be weird for you to give red packets to your tutor. If he has kids, more appropriate to give red packets to them.

      Otherwise, just pick up a few chinese new year snacks. You can get them in Asian grocers. they come in containers and you won't miss them in the store.

      • redforever on 01/02/2019 - 09:06

        and forget about wrapping them if you are getting the snacks. They are okay on their own red packaging.

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