[KnowItAll]

I'd like to document some Chinese New Year customs which are of importance to expats in Hong Kong.

The only custom I'm familiar with is the Lai See / red-pocket ritual. Any others that I'm missing out on?

Lai See
- Married people are expected to give Lai Sees to their unmarried friends
- Bosses are expected to give Lai Sees to the folks who report to them
- Other than the above, Lai See packets for people like security guards and other people around are appreciated and sometimes expected.

[froggie]

A few things that I have been told about this (LaiSee) custom:

1. You should make sure the amounts are "good" numbers. For example 80 is a very good number, whereas 40 is not a good number.
2. If you give Lai See to your guards, you should give each person the envelope personally. It is not really good to give a pile to their manager/supervisor and ask them to distribute them.
3. This one is quite obvious: If you intend to give Lai See to only one of your guards (someone who always helps you) and not to some others (with whom you don't have much to do), you should make sure you give Lai See when others are not around.
4. Its okay to give your Lai See any time during the two-week festival period, but not after that.

Maybe someone can correct me if any of this is incorrect or a myth.

[KnowItAll]

One more custom involved taking gifts. Perhaps important when visiting people... definately not something you hand out in the office.

Tangerines or Mandarin Oranges-While paying visits during Chinese New Year, it is customary to bring along a pair of tangerines or mandarin oranges for the host. Tangerines symbolize good fortune. Tangerines with leaf intact means firm friendship between guests and hosts. A pair of tangerines, especially for newlyweds, symbolizes the expanding of a couple into a family with children and grandchildren.

[bayonic]

i maybe celebrating my first lunar new year in HK next week... is there a particular day when most of the shops/restaurants are closed and if so which day/s ?



tia