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Popular Culture Review
brother. Parents also are more likely to express their love verbally to their chilren
than in the past, and a wife may now play a more important role and make most of
the decisions in a family.
Therefore, we cannot expect the function of red packet exchanges to remain
as in the past, only serving as a ya-sui-qian to give thanks to the small ghosts
inside a house. However, by reviewing the present practice of red packet presentation
and re-considering the meanings behind this traditional practice, it seems we, as
people living in a money-orientated society, should not focus all of our attention
on money in a such meaningful tradition and custom. We should find out how the
practice may continue to serve a function of warmth and affection — a welcome
“re-newed” tradition in this exceedingly impersonal world.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Kin Wai Michael Siu
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