Multicultural Manners : New Year’s Gift Makes Her See Red

Karina, a young woman, has just arrived in the U.S. from Mexico. She is going to study English and visit her mom, who works in a sewing factory.

One day, Karina’s mom telephones from work, asking Karina to bring her lunch. The dutiful daughter hops a bus bound for the factory, located in Chinatown. As soon as she arrives, her mom’s Chinese boss walks up and hands her a small red envelope. When she looks inside and discovers $20, she becomes indignant and thrusts it back at him. The boss stares at her in stunned disbelief.

What went wrong?

Being a newcomer, Karina didn’t know it was Chinese New Year (which began last week). According to Chinese custom, during this holiday older people give red envelopes with money inside to unmarried children for good luck.

The boss intended to wish Karina good fortune. Her refusal was an affront he could not comprehend: Why would anyone reject money and good luck?

From Karina’s point of view, the boss was an older man she had never met before. When he handed her the money-filled envelope, she thought he was making an offer for sexual favors. Consequently, she was offended and angrily returned it.

Later, when Karina learned of the boss’ true intentions, she accepted the gift. Since then, she happily receives the red envelope each Chinese New Year.

Rule: To the Chinese, red envelopes filled with money express two positive things: Red signifies good luck, while money signifies prosperity.

Norine Dresser is a folklorist and author of “I Felt Like I Was From Another Planet,” (Addison Wesley). Tell her your experiences c/o Voices.