Lifestyle

Here Are The Market Rate For Ang Paos In 2021 & No, You Don’t Have To Strictly Follow It

2021-02-07 , 8:37 am

Amidst such tumultuous times, it’s only fair to give everything a market guideline. And that includes festive ang pows…

A notion that has long since left adults scratching their heads in futile confusion.

Here Are The Market Rate For Ang Paos In 2021

But it appears that your dilemma will soon be a thing of the past…

As Seedly has come up with their version of a holy grail: a guide to the market rate for Ang Paos in 2021.

According to their research team, there are mainly eight tiers to pay attention to.

Parents, in-laws & grandparents would naturally be at the top of the pecking order, and warrant an ang pow rate of around $250 to $800.

Meanwhile, spouses would command around $200 to $500 from each other. It should be noted, however, that this isn’t exactly a common practice within households.

Ang pows from siblings would vary according to the age and working status of the giving person. A safe and reasonable estimate is around $50 to $200.

As for red packets from parents and grandparents, the common market rate lies somewhere between $50 and $200.

Non-immediate family members such as cousins, nieces and nephews can be given around $10 to $20.

Friends, or children of friends, can be given around $2 to $8.

And if you’re feeling generous, you can give public workers an auspicious red packet containing around $5 to $10. This could apply to the migrant worker who sweeps the floor of your block, maids of relatives or your food delivery rider.

“What about the minimum ang pow rate?” you may wonder. “Is it still $2, or has inflation caused a price hike?”

Well, it seems that Seedly has also explored that notion, with a definitive answer:

After factoring in the consumer price inflation rate, the minimum ang pow rate for 2021 should be around $2.85.

And to think that in 2003, it was just $2.

But Here’s The Thing;

You don’t actually have to follow the guidelines to a T.

In fact, according to Seedly, it might be better to ditch the whole “higher income means more ang pow money” notion.

This is because the younger generation may grow up to judge their relatives by the amount they give.

Should You Be Giving Ang Pows?

Though there’s no exact rule governing the exchange of ang pows, one general rule of thumb is to look at the marital status.

If you’re married, you’re more or less obliged to give ang pows to the younger or single ones.

But then again, if you’re 48 and single, you may understandably want to avoid ang pows from your married cousin, so it’s pretty much a case-by-case basis at this point.

As for the amount to give, you’ll be well-advised to avoid odd numbers – as they are not considered to be auspicious.

The number 4 should also be avoided, as it sounds like the word “death” in Chinese.

The hierarchy system may also play a definitive part, with people closer to you entitled to a higher ‘pay’.

However, you should always give within your means, so your financial situation would certainly come into the equation as well.

With that said, the red packet actually constitutes the significant part in giving. The money is secondary – a mere bonus for the lucky recipient.

So rather than stressing over unsaid income brackets or other family hierarchy shenanigans, it may be better to focus on the real meaning behind the tradition:

To share your wealth and blessings with the next generation.

You can watch this video to know more about ang pows (and please subscribe to our YouTube channel for more informative videos!):

Featured Image: ThamKC / Shutterstock.com

Here Are The Market Rate For Ang Paos In 2021 & No, You Don’t Have To Strictly Follow It

Here Are The Market Rate For Ang Paos In 2021

But Here’s The Thing;

Should You Be Giving Ang Pows?

Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:

Read Also: