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10 Gifts Not to Give on Chinese New Year

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Real Estate Agent with Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty DRE# 00901962 Lic.1985

10 Gifts Not to Give on Chinese New Year

by Silicon Valley REALTOR Michelle Carr Crowe

During the Chinese New Year, there are plenty of gifts that are given between loved ones. However, there is a specific criteria of what is an acceptable gift is as a way to help ensure the Chinese New Year is brought in with good luck and hopes of prosperity. Below are the gifts you should not give to anyone if you're wanting to celebrate the New Year the right way with them!

1. Sharp Obscissors cut flower pixabay imagejects — Cut Off Relationship

Giving somebody a sharp object insinuates that you want to cut off your relationship with them. A common Chinese saying goes "one slash and its in two parts" to mean the end of a relationship between people. No scissors or knives as gifts.

2. The Number 4 — Sounds Like Death

In Chinese, the number four (四 sì /srr/) sounds similar to the word for death (死 sǐ). Therefore, anything with the number 4 is considered unlucky — do not give gifts in sets or multiples of four.

That is why there is no floor four in some Asian buildings and hotels, for example. Often the lucky number 8 is added in front of the 4 for hotel rooms on the fourth floor.

3. Shoes — Evil

Shoes are a bad idea for a present for Chinese New Year because the word for 'shoes' (鞋 xié /syeah/) sounds exactly like a word for bad luck or 'evil' (邪 xié). On top of that, shoes are something that you step on, and are thus not good gifts. Avoid shoes at all costs.

4. Handkerchiefs — A Symbol of Saying Goodbye Forever

People generally give handkerchiefs at the end of a funeral, and are a symbol of saying goodbye forever. Giving someone a gift like this insinuates you are saying goodbye forever, and severing all ties.

5. Clocks — Bad Lclock pixabay imageuck 

In Chinese, saying 'giving a clock' (送钟 sòng zhōng /song jong/) sounds exactly like the Chinese words for 'attending a funeral ritual' (送终 sòng zhōng) and thus it is bad luck to gift clocks or watches. 

On top of that, clocks and watches symbolize running out of time, especially true for seniors. Giving a clock or watch as a gift is a big no-no in Chinese culture.

6. Pears — Parting

Giving fruit is a good thing, but pears are taboo. This is because the Chinese word for 'pears' (梨 lí /lee/) sounds the same as the word for leaving or 'parting' (离 lí).

white flowers pixabay image7. Cut Flowers — Presents for Funerals

Cut flowers are generally presents for funerals, so do not give them on Chinese New Year! This is especially so for Yellow Chrysanthemums and any white flowers, which represent death. White is an unlucky (funeral) color in Chinese culture, so white flowers should be avoided.

8. Umbrellas — Break Up 

Umbrellas are a bad idea to give as gifts, because the Chinese word for 'umbrella' (伞 sǎn /san/) sound like the word for 'breaking up' (散 sàn). Giving somebody an umbrella may insinuate that you feel your relationship with them has fallen apart.

9. Black or White Objects — Often Used in Funerals

Black and White are important colors in funerals, so avoid presents that are largely black or largely white, or wrapping paper or envelopes in these colors. Red, however, is believed to be a festive and fortunate color, so red is always a great option for envelopes, or gifts.

10. Mirrors — Attract Ghosts

Mirrors are a bad idea for gifts throughout much of Asia, as they are believed to attract malicious ghosts. On top of that, they are easily broken and breaking things is a bad omen.

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On the other hand, one of the most common and exciting gifts exchanged during Chinese New Year are little red envelopes for young people. Michelle Carr Crowe will be providing happy treats and red envelopes for children this weekend at 7031 Golden Gate Dr. and 5766 W Walbrook Dr., both in San Jose with Cupertino Schools. 

Thanks for reading "10 Gifts Not to Give on Chinese New Year".

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Aloha & God Bless You, 

Michelle Carr Crowe Just Call 408-252-8900 sign image

 

Michelle Cherie Carr Crowe Real Estate Team

Real Estate Agent . Author . Coach

DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985

P: Just Call ... 408-252-8900
F: 408-947-1585
E: GetResultsTeam@gmail.com

Altas Realty . DRE#01526983

1190 S. Bascom, #118, San Jose, CA 95128

www.MichelleJudyCarr.com

Michelle Cherie Carr Crowe and her "Get Results Team" (established by the late legendary Silicon Valley super agent Judy Carr) are known as the "Lynbrook and Cupertino Schools Experts." Coaching clients to success is Michelle's passion, making her and her team creative catalysts for positive change in people's lives. She is a Silicon Valley-based multi-million dollar real estate consultant, author, coach and trainer who works by referral only.

Her designations have included: Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Accredited Consultant of Real Estate (ACRE), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS)Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE),  Property Marketing Expert (PME), Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).

Michelle is an internationally-published freelance writer with over 1,200 traditional articles published in print and online, co-author of two books on Silicon Valley-specific real estate as well as over 68,000 blog posts on Blogger, ActiveRain, Examiner, FaceBook, Realtor, Trulia, RealBird and others. She enjoys reading, traveling, animals, nature, family, dancing, staging, consulting, coaching and praying. Check out her blog at www.activerain.com/results or visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com. For RE$ult$ ... Just Call ... (408) 252-8900.

 

Comments (5)

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I sure learned something with your post, Michelle. I see why the items are on the do not give list.

Jan 28, 2017 09:31 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Thank you for erading Debbie, it's helpful to know the dos and donts.

Jan 28, 2017 10:56 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Michlle. Thank you for the post. I learned a lot from your post.

Jan 29, 2017 04:27 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Michelle... what a fabulously interesting post... I didn't know any of these in conjunction with Chinese New Year... then again, I've never given a gift at Chinese New Year so I think I can be excused. 

Jan 29, 2017 05:07 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

I love this post! Understanding culture is something we should all know before giving gifts and when working with clients. I knew about the shoes but not the rest. Thank you for such a great and informative post! I really appreciated it very much!

Jan 29, 2017 08:12 PM