Such kind gestures may not be as uncommon as we think.
A Chinese man, who recently visited Singapore, took to Xiaohongshu to share his encounter with a generous elderly person.
According to his post, the younger man had just arrived in town and was walking around with his luggage when he was approached by an elderly man who looked to be around 60 to 70 years old.
“He suddenly handed me a S$100 note, and I was completely confused because I had yet to change currency. I wasn’t sure if that was $100 Singapore dollars. I could only see the number 100,” he wrote.
He said he wasn’t acquainted with local customs and practices as it was only his first day here. Afraid that the elderly man was “a swindler”, the man shook his head, rejecting the money.
He continued: “The old man seemed a little irritated, and he mumbled something I couldn’t make out. He passed me the money again, but I insisted on not taking it. We then went our separate ways.”
The man ended his post by asking if there was anyone who’s had a similar experience.
Some netizens said they have come across strangers giving out “ang pow money” to kids or younger adults as a random act of generosity. However, the common consensus is that these ‘free ang pows’ usually only contain S$2-$4, and that it is “very rare” for anyone to give out such a huge sum of money.
“I’ve lived in Singapore for over 10 years but I’ve yet to meet someone who voluntarily wants to give me money,” joked a netizen.
Turns out, there are generous folks among us who are out there spreading kindness through ang pows, and regardless of the su, just hearing of these acts are sure to brighten someone’s day, right?