EMOTIONAL HIGHS & LOWS
CHILDREN
Concerns about traditions being lost are particularly relevant for the younger generations , who may only look forward to hong bao and understand less about the wider cultural meaning . We even have pictures of children googling the correct Mandarin phrases to say thanks for their gifts .
This lack of understanding by the young drives another major pain point – boredom ! Many activities like mah-jong are geared towards adults , leaving children to entertain themselves . This can be particularly true for young Malaysians traveling to rural hometowns and finding themselves cut-off from the internet !
GREETINGS & WISHES
BAI NIAN - ELDERS ARE GREETED , FOLLOWED BY GIFTING OF RED PACKETS . source : thesmoodiaries . com
TRAVELING & EXHAUSTION
Finally , travel is a major part of Chinese New Year in both countries – Singaporeans must visit extended families across the city ( sometimes as many as 18 houses over 4 days ), and Malaysians must return to their home towns . Extended travel time , plus the celebrations themselves , leaves many feeling exhausted .