CNY is coming! Is your helper ready?
Chinese New Year is less than 1 month away. It’s time to remind your helper re what to expect. The Philippines doesn’t not celebrate the lunar new year, so if your helper is a first timer to HK, don’t expect her to know what to do. Teach her! Here are some talking points:
Cleaning: Explain to her that the CNY tradition is clean the house thoroughly before the arrival of the CNY. Thank her for the extra effort in cleaning.
Remind of her of these DOs and DON’Ts
DO’s
Keep a smiling face from day to night
Clasp your hands, greet every one you see, no matter baby or elder with blessing words, e.g.
-"Sun Nin Fai Lok"-Cantonese / "Xin Nian Kuai Le"-Mandarin(Happy New Year)
-"Gung Hay Fat Choy"-Cantonese / "Gong Xi Fa Cai"- Mandarin(Hope you are wealthy)Inform your helper what to say when serving guests: e.g. a. serve tea/soft drinks, say,"Ching Yam Cha"-Cantonese or "Xing Ke Cha"-Mandarin (please drink tea). serve snack box with 2 hands.
Teach them what to cook to serve your guests before any guest come.
Remind her to wear Red/ colourful clothes
Before you take her to other people's homes, tell her what you expect her to do? e.g. take care of baby/toddler/ friend's kid , or help in the kitchen? prepare food and tidy up?
Whenever any person give her a red pocket, she must receive it with two hands, then clasp the hands and say "thank you" or "Dor Che"-Cantonese / "Xièxiè"-Mandarin or or "Gung Hay Fat Choy"-Cantonese / "Gong Xi Fa Cai"- Mandarin. (But never open it in front of people, it is impolite)
DON'Ts
Wear black upper clothes,
Wash hair, take shower in the morning
Break or drop anything, e.g. any dishes, glasses, food
Cry
Sweep or mop the floor
Every family's culture is different and unique. Please teach her the special culture and rule in your family during the Lunar Chinese New Year. Happy New Year!