Chinese people love big money and we cannot deny it.

But the extent to which Chinese people love money?

That is one facet of life that is frequently lost on Chinese people because it is so ingrained in our culture it has become invisible and passed off as long-standing tradition.

Of course, liking money per se is never always wrong, because money is synonymous with "freedom" and "financial independence" -- and all the many other good things in life.

And obviously, young people these days born into a culture steeped in upholding the virtues of getting some more money without exactly knowing how or why, can barely do anything to overturn the established order overnight.

And that's where things get funny.

'Gong Xi Fa Cai' is not 'Happy New Year'

Exactly how vulgar it is only becomes clear when Chinese culture has to be explained to non-Chinese people in plain and simple terms.

This was the basis of a two-minute segment of comedian Ronny Chieng's stand-up routine during his Netflix special, Asian Comedian Destroys America!, which came out in December 2019.

The show was shot in New York.

Based on the audience's reaction, it is clear that "Gong Xi Fa Cai" not meaning "Happy New Year" is news to non-Chinese people.

Chieng also indulged the audience with anecdotes of Chinese people's relationship with money and the god of fortune deity.

Enjoy.

Ronny Chieng background: