I gave someone older a gift since I was visiting their home. They gave me a red packet because they thought the gift was costly. It was, but that’s not the point.
If you don’t know what a red packet is, it’s a red envelope with money that’s supposed to be lucky and given to someone younger.
I accepted the red packet before knowing it was for the gift, I can’t accept money for a gift but I also can’t return a red packet because it’s very bad taste and it would be bad luck.
What do I do now?
Keep it. Use the red packet for something or someone nice. I’m Chinese and people do this all the time. My parents who are over 50 still occasionally get red packets (not just from family either) and they just take them straight to the bank and nobody complains.
I suspect that red packets are more so used to give money to someone who would otherwise refuse it because it’s rude to not accept one.
They give red packet for visiting? Or because they received a gift?
All sorts of reasons. Birthday, anniversary, Lunar new year (up to 6 months late), etc.
People make up excuses to give a red packet when they want to pay someone money.