Condoms and duck eggs are top staff gifts for Dragon Boat Festival
Staff Reporter 2013-06-12 15:04
Is that a dragon in your boat, or are you just happy to see me? (Photo/CFP)
According to tradition, Chinese companies give gifts to employees to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the three biggest festivals in Chinese culture. Most commonly seen are money and zongzi — glutinous rice wrapped and steamed in bamboo leaves. This year, some gifts have swerved from the norm.
The Hunan-based Xiaoxiang Morning Herald reported a thoughtful batch of 40 condoms for employees of one Chinese company. The recipient, a man from the south-central province surnamed Wang, posted the story on the internet. His division allegedly gave out a total of 4,000 condoms, which will expire by 2015.
"Do you want some? They are too many for me," he joked to his friends when talking about what gifts they got from their companies.
Another woman posted saying that the 'surprise bonus' from her boss ended up changing all employee ringtones to a company advertisement. The woman said this bonus has at least two advantages: a caller can always be sure they made the right call, and they will know she still works for the company.
Some other surprising gifts reported by netizens include 20 yuan (US$3.20), Chinese medicine for treating a cold, and a salty duck egg.
