Annual Dinner

Friday, 25.01.2019

The major event of the year was approaching. At the end of the Chinese year (always between mid-January and mid-February), companies in China organized big parties or dinners. In addition, there were lots of 'Hong Bao', red envelopes with gifts inside. Each of our employees received a 'Hong Bao' with two gift cards for a major supermarket worth 600 RMB (approximately 100 EUR).

But what everyone was looking forward to and talking about weeks in advance was the 'Annual Dinner'. An evening where the entire company comes together to celebrate the year-end. However, this is not just an ordinary dinner like in Germany, no, everything is done on a grand scale here. Our 'Annual Dinner' took place in a hotel in the west of Suzhou. In the foyer of the conference room, there was a kind of historically Chinese market street.

Each employee received a finely crafted pouch in the lucky color red with three coins inside.

The grand hall itself was lavishly decorated with a huge stage and three screens.

Then the spectacle began again with the dragon dance and dance groups recruited from the ranks of the employees.

For this, it is not uncommon to practice every dance step for months. Four moderators led through the program. There was plenty of food again, seven or eight courses, but most importantly, prizes. The raffle was announced by beating a giant drum and at the same time, employee numbers appeared.

With the last beat, the winner was determined. Or you could scan a code and everyone would shake their phone, the winners were displayed on the screen with wechat contact. Prizes included things like bed linen, irons, or robot vacuums. The grand prize, and the highlight, was the new iPhone that you could win. After its raffle, the party was suddenly over at 9:00 PM.

Every company in China, big or small, holds such a celebration every year! In addition, there are smaller departmental dinners. Food and community have a very high value in China.