Cultures differ over attitudes to money

Sally Liu says Chinese are more open about money than other Kiwis.

Leaving the price tag on gifts is a sign of how Chinese people can be more open about financial matters.

When Sally Liu returned to China for a visit and her aunt asked how much she earned as a university lecturer, it took her a moment to answer.

"I was talking about my new job as a uni lecturer. She asked how much was my salary and I was very shocked. I answered, but there was a five-second pause before I did."

Though the question is one commonly asked among close family and friends in the Chinese culture, in New Zealand it's seen as a taboo subject.

It's just one of the money-related cultural differences Liu has experienced since moving to New Zealand as an international student in 2001.

The 38-year-old lecturer in Chinese at Massey University in Auckland believes Kiwis tend to be more sensitive about talking about money than Chinese people.

"If you are a friend you can talk about personal finances openly.

"In New Zealand [with] money matters - it's not common to put them on the table."

She says Chinese will openly talk about how much they earn and how much they paid for their house.

"If it's a very close friend, you can talk about how much you have saved and how much you spend and in which ways."

Growing up, Liu says, saving was strongly encouraged by her parents and it's a trait she hopes to encourage in her own daughter.

In China the average household is said to save about 30 per cent of its disposable income - that compares with about 2 per cent in New Zealand and 5 to 6 per cent in the United States.

Liu said that in her experience older Chinese people tended to save harder than younger generations.

Likewise she says credit cards are commonly used by younger Chinese but less so by older people, and patterns of use can be different.

"Age is a crucial factor ... my consumption pattern is quite rational. I make sure I can return the money every month rather than the minimum payment."

Cash is commonly used for smaller purchases and is also a popular gift.

As part of Chinese New Year celebrations people give away small amounts of money in red envelopes as a way of wishing a person good financial luck for the year ahead.

It's also common to give cash in a red bag for weddings, although bank transfers are becoming more popular these days, according to Liu.

One quirk of the Kiwi culture she has noticed is the importance of removing the price tag on gifts.

"A lot of Kiwi people, they are really careful to take off the price tag."

The reverse can be the case for gifts given by Chinese people. "In Chinese culture if they give you jewellery and it is gold - they really want to [leave] the price tag on the gift."