Is it an insult to give someone chinese money as a gift, Suzywong can you help???!!!

[melsy]

I have a friend in China who did something nice for me and went out of her way, would it be rude to give her money as a gift or am I better off sending her a gift??? If so what is appropriate. I dont wnat to offend her as she is a lovely person.

You do right to ask - Chinese culture, like ours, has very strict rules of what is and is not, polite. However, they do very commonly give money as a gift. At Chinese New Year, for example, vast quantities of money changes hands in red envelopes - a sign of good luck.

So, yes, go ahead with a money gift, it will be appreciated, and certainly will not offend.

my name may not give it away... but being chinese.. i don;t think it's rude at all... like roisin has pointed out 'lucky money' is commonly given at special times...and anyway she's a friend so chinese or not it's a gift from you to her... just pop a note in to say hope she doesn't mind...

my dh's cousin's wife (!) is chinese, and they are currently visiting family in China, and she was wondering about all the cash they'll get when they take their ds round to visit everyone - which will presumably be in chinese currency, and hard to change!

Well there's your answer! (I am only Chinese/Malaysian/Aistralian by marriage)
If you are going to actually pshysically get someone to hand the money to her, you should put it in a Fong Diam (red envelope or purse) as that is the tradition. Available from China town or get a red greetings card to send
HTH