Chinese New Year is here!

Years ago I worked for a manufacturing company. As Chinese New Year approached, the Asian employees shared stories of how their families were preparing for the celebration.

Chinese Red Envelope

As a Buyer, I had to rush to order my parts from Asia, because in Asia most employees take 3-4 weeks off for holiday, so they can go and visit family. Apparently, their families live in the country and it would take about 4-8 days just for traveling round trip. That meant the factories and UPS services would shut down. If parts were not “pre-ordered” and “shipped” before Chinese New Year started, we would not have parts.

While I am not Asian, I was still part of the team. One day one of the Vietnamese employees came in and handed me this beautiful RED envelope (see photo). I smiled really big. He said it was tradition for elder family members to give a red envelope to children, grandchildren, etc. with at least one crisp dollar bill inside. The tradition was true at work too, to give the red envelope to employees wishing them “happiness and good fortune.”

If you have an Asian friend, and you’d like to give a gift, remember NOT to give the following: handkerchiefs, sharp objects, anything with number 4 on it, umbrellas, clocks or shoes. They are very superstitious and you would ruin their celebration!

Question: Is this the year of the Goat or the Sheep? While I am not a Goat/Sheep, my Asian hairdresser says that Rabbits are expected to have a good year. I like Chinese New Year and their focus on the family.

Do you believe in astrology? Do you know what animal YOU ARE? Maybe you are a Goat, or is it a Sheep, and it is “your year!” Better find out…

Happy Chinese New Year!