red envelope from chineese girlfriend parents

Question

Hi, my son has been dating a Chinese girl. For Christmas her parents gave my son a red envelope full of money.  What does this red envelope mean?  He recently told me that the girlfriend told him she was ready to take their relationship to next level and her parents want to give him another red envelope.  Can you tell me what these represent? Is she wanting commitment (marriage).  Being outside their culture I am unclear and unable to provide guidance to my son.  My son isn't ready to ask her for her hand in marriage however he does love her.  They both are recent college graduates- thanks for any information you can provide

Amy · Answer

Oh, it seems the girl’s parents like your son very much. The first envelop can be taken as a gift. In Chinese festivals, especially Chinese New Year, the older generations will give red envelop to later generations for good luck. Maybe you can give it back to the girl during next festival or buy her an equivalent gift since it’s not your custom. If your son are not ready for a marriage, he’d better not accept the next envelop as it really means some kind of commitment (marriage). But he should explain it well. If he just denies it without a explaination, they will think he wants to break up with the girl.

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Red Envelope from Chineese Girlfriend Parents