Many people familiar with the Chinese culture know that little red envelops are used to give money from one person to the other. In general, red envelops are given from the older generation to the younger generation, for special occasions such as Chinese New Year, Birthdays, and Weddings.

My three boys are very much in tune with this cultural artifact, as they have been on the receiving end ever since they were born. Even the 1 1/2 year old knows to take the money out of the red envelop. On our recent trip to California, my mother asked my 4 year old to say hello to his paternal grandmother when she called them on the phone, to that, the 4 year old refused. However, when the phone ran again later that afternoon from his great grandmother, he had no trouble saying hello. My mother was a little bewildered as my 4 year old only sees his great grandmother only 2-3 times a year, whereas he sees his paternal grandmother at least once or twice a month. When asked why he was so eager to say hello to a great grandmother he hardly sees and refuses to say hello to a grandmother he sees often, his reply “Tai Nai Nai, or great grandmother in Chinese, gives me money” Wow, the power of these little red envelops!

I was truly speechless when my mother told me the story, not quite sure how to interprate this kind of materilistic behavior.