“I can see how this looks strange,” Brill said. “But I assure you that Winnie’s intent was purely innocent. In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude. Winnie is apologetic and embarrassed by any negative impression or confusion this may have caused.”
this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2025
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I was about to comment that that explanation only counts if it's in a little red envelope...then I saw the picture...and it was.
Not sure why she put the red envelope in the chip bag, though. That part's kinda weird.
The whole thing is BS. Nobody gives money as a gesture of 'friendship and gratitude'
They do, kind of. But it's specifically a Chinese New Year's tradition. You give money in a red envelope for luck, well-wishers and as a blessing for the recipient. However you choose to define that, is up to you. It's just meant as a kind gesture.
Red packets are normally given from married folk to kids, teens, and maybe young single relatives. They are not given between two people who have no connection other than work as a gesture of 'friendship and gratitude'. As a Chinese, I find it pretty annoying that they're using our culture to BS their obvious bribery attempt.
As someone who lives in a predominantly Asian community, I can say 100% that what you said isn't true. We get red envelopes from our boss every year, and everyone in the shop shares them amongst each other. Not "everyone gets one from everyone"...but you do give them to your closer coworkers. I have a stack of them myself, specifically for this reason.
Ah fair enough, I forgot some annual bonuses get handed out in red packet form.
Yeah if you're giving a red envelope, you don't hide it inside another bag/object
Totally legit. That’s why it was done under the table.
“I can see how this looks strange,” Brill said. “But I assure you that Winnie’s intent was purely innocent. In the Chinese culture, money is often given to others in a gesture of friendship and gratitude.
Chinese here, that's pure BS. The only time money is given is during Chinese New Year (Lunar new year), and only from adults to children / teens. It's not a gesture of 'friendship and gratitude'.
Friendship and gratitude.
Hidden under the table in a bag of chips.
On second thought, we have that too. It's also known as 'cronyism' and 'kickbacks'.
Chip packet is the new red envelope.
$160 bribe too, like is that all they expect? Go out to dinner one night or something for a single bribe heh.