Is There An Age Limit To Collecting Ang Pows?

"I give ang pows to my parents and nephews on Chinese New Year and told my married colleagues and friends not to give me ang pows anymore but they still do. They told me it’s for good luck so I accepted them (smiles). How much ang pow money did I get this year? Around $1,000.”

“I still collect ang pows for good luck but only from my direct family members and close friends. My relatives don’t give me ang pows anymore. I collected a few hundred dollars this year. I don’t give ang pows to kids and the elderly though, ’cos I’m not married (laughs). I only give them to my staff in [my bakery] in Johor Bahru.”

“Of course I still take ang pows. There’s a Chinese saying that if someone gives you an ang pow, you cannot reject it as it’s very rude and impolite. When I accept the ang pows, it’s my way of being courteous and showing love (guffaws). When I turned 40 a few years ago, I told myself that it was time for me to start giving out ang pows since I’m not young anymore (laughs). Every year, I give them to my friends’ kids, my parents, and all my godsons and goddaughters. Being able to give out ang pows makes me feel very happy too. This year, I didn’t give though ’cos my nanny passed away. So I could only collect ang pows but not give any out. I collected about $500 in total.”

“I spent the first two days of Chinese New Year in Singapore and then went overseas so I didn’t collect that many ang pows. I think I received about $700. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I still take ang pows, even from my younger cousins who are married (laughs). I’d usually just give a sheepish smile and say: ‘Thank you Kor Kor or Jie Jie (dialect for elder brother or elder sister).’ That’s ’cos they are more senior than me by virtue of them being married. I don’t give ang pows to the kids but I do give to the elderly, like my grandparents and my mum.”

“I didn’t get many ang pows this year as my grandma is in the hospital, so we didn’t go visiting. I probably received about $200. I still accept ang pows during Chinese New Year, as this is the one time in the year that I feel like a child — and I like it. I also have a tradition of giving ang pows to the make-up artist and hairstylist who doll me up on my first day of work. It’s to celebrate starting work on a new year and I’ve been doing it since I was in showbiz.”

“I went back to Taiwan to celebrate Chinese New Year with my extended family this year, so I received many ang pows from relatives whom I haven’t seen in a while. I didn’t open the ang pows I received, as I believe that they bring good fortune! Since I am not married, my relatives still give me ang pows, which I accept out of politeness. I feel that it’s their way of wishing me well in my life and career. I think I collected about $300 to $500. In return, I gave my mom a big ang pow to thank her for her support and for believing in me all these years! I also gave ang pows to my Left Profile managers (smiles).”

“I haven’t counted my ang pow money yet, as I don’t open the red packets that my mum and grandma give. I keep them intact as these people have a lot of significance in my life. When I was a child, I always looked forward to opening my ang pows but now, I’m just happy that I get to spend quality time with my family. This year, I went to Phuket during the first few days of CNY and didn’t go visiting, but my relatives still kept ang pows for me! It made me very touched. I also receive red packets from my cousins who are married but younger than me (laughs). However, they’d tease me and ask things like: “When will it be your turn?” I don’t feel paiseh to be receiving ang pows yet, but I think I’d be in a few years’ time! (Guffaws)”