What do you think about this “Three” advertisement (shown on the right): appropriate or not?

Calling your relatives in China to demand “Spring Festival Money Gift” (压岁钱) (also known as 红包 “Angpao” among Chinese living in Indonesia)…

IMHO, it is inappropriate for you to phone a relative to demand it.

“Yashuiqian”, the real Angpao

The so-called “Angpao”, according to our tradition, is given from a married couple to a child, whom is usually of younger age. The original name for “angpao” in traditional Chinese is “Yashuiqian”, which literally translated as “Money to keep you stay young”. Usually given from older generation to the younger generation, to keep them stay young and have a long life.

So… is it polite for a younger person to call and ask for “angpao” to his/her elder? Of course NOT.

So… marketer, designer, or advertiser, or whomever, please do some research first before printing those BIG BANNER and place them on the streets. =) It will save you from the embarrassment.

“Happy Chinese New Year!”
“Gong Xi Fa Cai!” 恭喜发财!