Comments on: Happy Chinese New Year!

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:38:01 +0000

Jeff, I found the heavy blunt object to use. Do remind me when I see you again ;-). As for involving IRS, not too sure if the ancient ancestors in the Heavens are well acquainted to Internal Revenue Services. Probably will not get a nod for eliminating the red packet practice.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:21:43 +0000

Since it seems to be based on age, relation and marital status, why not just have the IRS roll it all up and either send you a check or bill once a year? Oh, I forgot, the powerful Red Packet Lobby would never let through.

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:09:31 +0000

How about the ever popular gift cards? Apparently in the US giving actual money is “tacky”… like a gift card is any more personal! Don’t get me wrong, I love gift cards… It’s just not particularly personal. 🙂

By: jeff the bold

jeff the bold — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:21:00 +0000

Since you’re altering the customs of CNY and ang pow into a 21st century version, why not go a step further and replace the cash gifts with direct deposit? I suppose that might make the red packets a bit superfluous, but hey, you could then change the name of the tradition as well. What would be the correct translation for “PayPal”?

You could do this selectively, of course, so you don’t have to actually see the relatives you don’t like.

I should sign off now, before Angela decides to hit me over the head with a blunt heavy object.

(CNY is celebrated in my house as well, obviously. Barbara and I lit off our fireworks and burned our (fake) money last night.)