petite envelops
They are tiny envelops, called pochi-bukuro, smaller than a cigarette box. This is used for giving a tip to one staff in charge of your service when staying at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese hotel. And for giving children otoshidama, some money, in the New Year. Adults are incredibly to give the related children some money in the New Year. It is a better habit for Japanese children than "trick or treat" in Halloween. (Japan has not had a habit of "trick or treat" yet but has had a habit of giving children Christmas presents.)
posted by Unknown @ 7:57 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Live to learn more and more! Nice blog!
:P
oo...cute envelops!!
if i find them in shanghai, i think i will buy!!
and to give children the New Year's "lucky money"...before people here used the red envelops...but now,it seems that people just forgot to use it for many years... :-)
...Jing
fatima, jing: thanks for your comments.
jing: perhaps this custom, otoshidama, was come from your country? interesting.
Such cute envelopes! I would love to get one of these!
Very lovely boxes and envelopes, so refined! How much money are you expected to give to the staff at a hotel? And who do you give it to? The reception desk, the waiter at the restaurant? DO you leave the box in your room when you leave? So many traditions we don't know about. I'm thinking of travelling to Japan in January so I'm curious!
candice and megan: thanks comments:-) More cute stuffs in Tokyo and I will shoot them soon.
nathalie: It is nice of you to travel in Japan. You need not to give money and some clips if you stay at an ordinary or luxury hotel. On the other hand, not so many people give money to Nakai-san, bell women wearing kimono, by hand when they stay at a traditional and luxury (I think more than 200USD a day a person) hotel, called ryokan. Not all the people give money to them and it is not rude at all not to give money. So I think you don't need to give money even if you stay at a luxury ryokan. By the way, we don't have a custum of giving waiters tips, unlike the Western. One more information: Don't feel bad even if Japanese people don't look into your eyes so often when they talk to you, unlike the Western. It is just a custom.
I'd happy that this info will be helpful and hope you have a nice trip:-)
It's very interesting to read your tips, Macky. And the envelopes are so cool! I love the variety, color and design of them all!
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