The ultimate lai see red packet guide for Chinese New Year

In the most general sense, lai see is given by those positioned in a higher social stature. Within families, if you are married, you should be giving lai see to younger and unmarried relatives. In the workplace, a manager should give lai see to the team members working under them. In more casual, day-to-day settings, you should be giving lai see to people who offer you regular services, such as your hairdresser, your doormen, or your building’s security guards (this applies even if you are younger in age and unmarried).

• Always give and receive lai see with both hands. It’s a sign of respect and courtesy.
• Do not immediately open the lai see to check out the amount received, especially in front of the giver.
• The money inside lai see should not total to odd numbers. This is associated with funerals and therefore considered inauspicious. 
• The number four should also be avoided because of its association with death – so no $40, $400, $444, or $4,000 lai see, please.
• Lai see should only be given during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year, not before or after.
• As much as possible, try to use crisp bills in lai see. Hongkongers will therefore usually exchange old, crumpled bills for crisp new tender at banks before the Lunar New Year.
• Never give coins in lai see – even a battered $10 note would be preferable.
• Give lai see to people when you first see them during the Lunar New Year period. Don’t wait around for when the time feels right; the right moment is when you arrive at a host’s house or when you’re greeting someone.

Now that you know who to give lai see to and the niceties that should be followed, it’s time to consider how much money each red packet should contain – especially in this economy. The general rule of thumb is the more familiar you are to the receiver, the greater the amount you should put in their red packet. 

If you’re unsure how much you should be giving to someone, here’s a quick guide you can refer to:

For family

Immediate family members are the closest in relation to you, and therefore usually receive red packets containing a minimum of $100 – we’ve seen them ranging up to the thousands. For extended family whom you only see semi-regularly on special occasions, the norm is usually between $20 to $50.

For friends

There’s no set amount for unmarried friends around your own age, but in general, the closer you feel towards a mate, the more you would stuff in their red packet. Something in the vicinity of $50 to $100 would be acceptable.

For domestic helpers

Hong Kong would probably collapse if it weren’t for the helpers who are the secret backbone behind so many households. Give helpers at least $100 in lai see.

For children outside of your family

The amount can probably differ depending on how close you are with the little tyke’s parents, but generally you can’t go wrong with $20 to $50. 

For the friendly faces

Remember to show your appreciation to the everyday heroes in your life: your doorman, security guard, cleaning staff, and the like. A $20 lai see is usually the way to go.

For the regulars

Got a favourite hairdresser or manicurist? A go-to waiter at your regular restaurant or a barista that does your coffee every morning? A $50 packet should do the trick.

For the lackeys

If you’re the boss, gift your dog-tired staff (and even the ones you hate) lai see ranging from $100 to $1,000 depending on the size of the team and how generous you’re feeling. Do it, you frugal bastard.

Ask any Chinese person why they know a whole arsenal of Lunar New Year greetings and they’ll tell you that as children, we all had to memorise these idiomatic phrases in order to ask for lai see from our elders. As much fun as it can be to run around town collecting money from friends and family, the point of lai see giving is really not about the money at all. The true essence of this ritual is to wish the people around you luck and fortune in the year ahead. Here are some common Cantonese greetings to use over the Lunar New Year.

‘Gung hei faat choy’ (恭喜發財): Wishing you prosperity

‘Sun nin faai lok’ (新年快樂): Happy new year

‘Maan si yu yee’ (萬事如意): Wishing everything goes your way

‘Sum seung si sing’ (心想事成): Wishing what you want comes true

‘Loong maa jing sun’ (龍馬精神): Wishing you health (literally, vitality like horses and dragons); often paired with the phrase below

‘Sun tai gin hong’ (身體健康): Wishing you health

‘Chut yup ping on’ (出入平安): Wishing you peace and safety

‘Daai gut daai lei’ (大吉大利): Wishing you lots of luck

‘Qing chun seung juu’ (青春常駐): Wishing you stay youthful (tip: use this one on the aunties and older ladies)

‘Hok yip jun bo’ (學業進步): Wishing improvements in your studies (to be used with students)

‘Choi yuen gwong jun’ (財源廣進): Wishing you lots of money 

‘Siu hau seung hoi’ (笑口常開): Wishing you always have a smile on your face