Woman swears off giving 'duit raya' after child complains about $4 in packet
Seah Jun De
TNP
April 3, 2025
A Singaporean woman on Threads shared why she stopped giving out duit raya (gift money) to children after an unpleasant encounter five years ago.
Duit raya is the tradition of giving money in envelopes to children during Hari Raya Puasa, similar to the Chinese custom of giving angpao (red packets) during Chinese New Year.
The woman explained that five years prior, she gave $4 to a group of children. One child opened the envelope right in front of her and complained: "Mummy, it's only $4."
Instead of reprimanding the child for their rudeness, the mother retorted: "Not everyone is rich like we are."
Infuriated by the comment, the woman asked for the envelope back and told them to leave.
"They didn't want to give it back," she wrote.
"You claim to be so rich, so why are you so desperate for that $4?" she added.
One commenter, outraged by the story, said the mother was "enabling a superiority complex."
Another remarked that the child had "no manners."
"Our parents taught us to open duit raya after the visit or after we've gone home," the commenter wrote.
"And $4 is ok what!!! I also would give $4."
