Giving "red packets" to rude security staff

[CrossMojonation]

We have around a dozen security guards patrolling our apartment complex. Most of these guards are polite and professional, and I intend to give them the customary red packets during the Chinese New Year. What should I give the guards who are typically surly and sometimes downright rude? What is proper etiquette in this case? They are becoming friendlier as the holiday approaches.

[Cho-man]

We have around a dozen security guards patrolling our apartment complex. Most of these guards are polite and professional, and I intend to give them the customary red packets during the Chinese New Year. What should I give the guards who are typically surly and sometimes downright rude? What is proper etiquette in this case? They are becoming friendlier as the holiday approaches.

Giving red packets is a discretionary right, not a "must". You don't have to give red packets to guards you feel is not deserving of it.

[Lord Dashwood]

I don't give red packets.

[rani]

Here's our guide on Lai See Etiquette. You don't have to give those that don't deserve it

http://geoexpat.com/articles/hong-ko...-see-etiquette

[hullexile]

We have around a dozen security guards patrolling our apartment complex. Most of these guards are polite and professional, and I intend to give them the customary red packets during the Chinese New Year. What should I give the guards who are typically surly and sometimes downright rude? What is proper etiquette in this case? They are becoming friendlier as the holiday approaches.

We were lucky in that all of our's were fine (though given we didn't understand each other they could have been smiling while cursing us) so all got but one particularly nice one on the estate got a much larger one. If any had been rude they would have got zilch.

[alanjg]

Here's our guide on Lai See Etiquette. You don't have to give those that don't deserve it

http://geoexpat.com/articles/hong-ko...-see-etiquette

Thanks for that. Very useful to know what is regarded as a normal amount for different types.

[Open Casket]

I don't give to rude arseholes and I also don't give any to the mystery guards who show for CNY only. The first estate I lived at had guards and front desk people rotate positions half way through the week. There were people I had never seen working my front desk with their hands out, I saw the same thing at the clubs I am a member at, people working positions they have never worked before in order to gain lai see!....giving Lai See is a nice tradition, but like all things, there are some people who abuse it.

That all being said, many of these estate agents, gurkhas, cleaners take these jobs knowing they will cash in big this time of year. So I do believe that everyone should give lai see to all those who work hard for you and are friendly.

[East_coast]

Hong Kong's hidden workers are probably the ones that miss out on Lai See. In your area there will be people who have worked for years keeping the streets clean, hospital staff that have ensured your appointments are done on time etc.

Lai See is a tradition but outside your circle of contacts only seems to benefit customer facing support staff.



Go and find your local street cleaner and give them a red packet and they will no longer be invisible...

[james_hklocal]

I don't give red packets to security guard or cleaner.

[jgl]

I don't give red packets to security guard or cleaner.

Perhaps you shouldn't have included the second half of your user name then.