The ang pow issue

Warning: scolding people ahead. Quit reading now if you think it is too early in the year for cross words.

On the first day of the Chinese New Year, the man and I readily handed out ang pows to the community of service providers who work in our condo year round. Namely the security guards, the grounds keeper, the supervisor of the cleaning crew, and especially the cleaners who take care of the floor we are on.

In the days that followed, faces we have never seen before started to show up, making sure that we notice them as we enter or leave the building. We decided that they probably do work in the condo too, so we also readily handed out ang pows to them.

Then last evening, our newspaper delivery service representative showed up to collect the monthly newspaper subscription. He mumbled something about ang pow as I handed him the money. I could not believe what I thought I heard, so I asked in a decidedly stern tone of voice, "What?"

He boldly repeated his demand, "Chinese New Year. No ang pow?"

I bristled and replied crossly "No!" And closed the door in his face.

I am not even sure he delivers the papers in the morning! And I certainly was not about to reward his extortionist strategy to get goodwill money.

Then I remembered the one time when this same man claimed to not have change when I handed him all ten dollar notes and he ended up pocketing the difference. These days I hand him exact amounts. What a detestable person!

I have a mind to lodge a complaint with the circulation department of the Straits Times.