KUALA LUMPUR – As the Lunar New Year approaches, the age-old tradition of giving and receiving angpao is changing, with the introduction of e-angpao sparking varied opinions within the Chinese community.
Some view it as a departure from tradition, while others see it as a modern and convenient evolution of the customary practice.
Terence Ho, a 50-year-old investment banker at Maybank and a resident of Petaling Jaya, staunchly adheres to the traditional method of distributing cash-filled angpaos during the Chinese New Year celebration.
“I’ve always given out angpao in cash and will continue to do so this year as well,” said Ho.
He claimed that if angpaos were distributed as e-angpao, the youth would not understand the significance of visiting one another during the New Year celebration.
He said this is because they could still receive digital red packets without having to visit their relatives.
“During the celebration, people would visit each other, and the elders would present angpaos to the youth. But if you give angpao to people via e-angpao, it defeats the purpose because you do not have to visit to receive it,” he said.
Businessman Tham Ming Sum, 62, echoed Ho’s sentiments, emphasising the symbolic importance of physical red packets.
“With e-angpao, these kids would be overly focused on the monetary aspect of this tradition. “They will forget that this tradition is for them to receive blessings from elders,” Tham said.
“The colour red on angpaos symbolises good fortune and luck. Without physical red packets, these young people wouldn’t get good fortune and luck.”
On the contrary, proponents of e-angpao, such as James Gan, a 34-year-old human resources consultant at Shell, argue that incorporating technology enhances the tradition by making it more accessible and engaging for younger generations.
“Last year’s celebration, I gave out angpaos using QR codes, and the kids had fun scanning the code because they saw it as some kind of game,” Gan said.
They still get joy and excitement, just the same as receiving angpao the old-fashioned way.”
Loke Wai Boon, a 40-year-old resident of Batu Caves, acknowledged the convenience of using e-angpao for connecting with distant relatives, especially in cases where physical visits are not possible.
“I personally think that angpaos should be given the traditional way, but I understand that in some cases, e-angpao can be useful to some people,” Boon commented.
“Like for families who have relatives living in China, they could still practice this tradition even if they cannot physically visit each other.”
Notably, the use of e-angpao increased dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a contactless alternative while maintaining social connections.
Platforms such as WeChat, TnG eWallet, and other mobile payment services have introduced features allowing users to send and receive digital red envelopes seamlessly. – February 10, 2024