Giving "red packets" to rude security staff

[threelittlepigs]

This is one of if not the most important days and traditions in the Chinese calendar. People who choose not to follow it are not ignorant, they're just scrouges. Karma is a bitch, and she bites hard.

[cjt]

but giving it to random people on the street can be considered insulting. The more so because for those of us over and above a certain age it is easily as construed as that you were too much of a loser to bag any kind of spouse - which may not be the case!

Interesting to know and it does make sense. Any other way to hand it to them directly so they won't feel offended?

[threelittlepigs]

Interesting to know and it does make sense. Any other way to hand it to them directly so they won't feel offended?

No one feels offended taking Lai See. If they are married, they will politely tell you they are married, and you just tell them it is for service not for their marital status.

[TheBrit]

Our landlord gave one, first a $20 and he said not enough!! Then he upped it to $50 or $100. I was like wtf.

Apparently it's not about the money though.

[jgl]

I feel the US is worse. We tip here once a year in the US service people expect tips daily. From the guy who makes your bagel at the sandwich shop, to tour group bus drivers. Its ridiculous!

Is there anywhere besides the US and Canada where tipping is culturally mandatory? I can't seem to remember it being such a big deal anywhere else.

The only mild upside to mandatory tipping is that it gives you a great way to give the middle finger for poor service.

[Lord Dashwood]

This is one of if not the most important days and traditions in the Chinese calendar. People who choose not to follow it are not ignorant, they're just scrouges. Karma is a bitch, and she bites hard.

Karma doesn't exist.

I don't expect Christmas cards or presents from Chinese people...I expect them not to try and obstruct it, but no need to participate.

[mobtrio]

Just give to who ever the FOOK you want too, I even give to younger Married PPL just because I want too LOL

That's the attitude. Give whoever you like, as much as you like. Don't give whoever you don't want to give, no need to call ash hole or anything.

[Lord Dashwood]

It's blatantly about money. Every year the security in our building erect a big tree in the foyer made out of red packets...

Absolute face-ache security guards who've looked like doom all year suddenly manage crooked smiles.

Our building management has intervened these last years...any red packets must be put in a communal box and I agree with this system...(assuming it's shared equally)...

[Open Casket]

Is there anywhere besides the US and Canada where tipping is culturally mandatory? I can't seem to remember it being such a big deal anywhere else.

The only mild upside to mandatory tipping is that it gives you a great way to give the middle finger for poor service.

The tipping culture in the US and elsewhere has been covered ad nauseam on GeoExpat. Use the search buttom and you will find other threads related to that. This thread is about lai see

[Open Casket]

This is one of if not the most important days and traditions in the Chinese calendar. People who choose not to follow it are not ignorant, they're just scrouges. Karma is a bitch, and she bites hard.

Where can I meet this Karma, sounds like fun....