Glad to receive your email. Now, I’d like to tell you something about the widely used Scan to Pay in China.

If you want to know more about it, come to China. Looking forward to your arrival.

Yours,

Li Hua

5 . Credit cards

However you view credit card, it’s hard to live in the modern world without one. And if you have one, you owe it to yourself to use it properly.

Although credit cards are becoming a more acceptable part of the financial scene, they are still regarded with suspicion by many as being a major part of the “live now pay later” syndrome(综合症).     1     They can allow you to pile up debts that you have difficulty paying off; they can also let you spend next month’s salary today. Of course, it is only the foolish who give in to the temptation to live temporarily at least beyond their means, and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards.

Advertising campaigns have, however, promoted a growing realization of the advantages of these small pieces f plastics. They avoid the need to carry large amounts of cash and are always useful in emergencies. All the credit card organizations charge interest on a monthly basis.     2     Using a card abroad where items frequently take a long time to be included on your account can extend this period even further.

    3     It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted and interest rates, which may vary slightly. And of course, what happens if your card is lost or stolen? A credit card chief may be sitting on a potential gold mine particularly if there is delay in reporting the loss of the card.

Using a credit card wisely takes discipline and a little self-control. Once you realize your debt is someone else’s profit margin, your approach to your plastic will change. With a bit of discipline and some practical knowledge, you can make your cards work for you, rather than the other way round.     4    

Felicity Miller, a 32-year-old British woman,     1     has a Chinese husband, still remembers the     2     (excite) when she first learned to use the “red packet” function on WeChat in 2015. She sent and grabbed some red packets in her Chinese family’s group. The rule in her family was that the person who grabbed the     3     (high) amount sent the next.

Attracted by the unique way of communicating, many foreigners     4     (join) in sending and grabbing red packets so far. Usually, the money in each packet is random. Thus the amount of money one can grab     5     (large) depends on his or her luck, from 0.01 yuan to less than 200 yuan. Many foreigners get more familiar     6     Chinese culture through “red packets”. Two years ago, when Felicity Miller was sent 5.20 or 8.88 yuan red packets, she had no clue about the     7     (hide) meanings. Now, she has not only known about     8    , but also has sent a few.

However, the popularity of virtual red packets doesn’t stop people sending paper red packets     9     (contain) real cash during the Spring Festival. It is called lucky money. In Chinese tradition, people take giving children lucky money as     10     blessing.

7 . Although credit cards are becoming a more acceptable part of the financial scene, they are still regarded with doubts by many as being a major part of the “live now pay later” syndrome（综合症）.Along with hire-purchase, rental and leasing schemes（租赁项目）, they provide encouragement to spend more money. Of course, it is only the hotheaded who give way to the temptation to live, temporarily at least, beyond their means, and such people would no doubt manage to do so even without credit cards.

Advertising campaigns have, however, promoted a growing realization of the advantages of these small pieces of plastic. They prevent need to carry large amounts of cash and are always useful in emergencies.

All the credit card organizations charge interest on a monthly basis which may work out as high as 25 per cent a year, yet sensible purchasing using a card can mean that you obtain up to seven weeks, interest-free credit. Using the card abroad, where items frequently take a long time to be included on your account, can extend this period even further.

It is worthwhile shopping around before deciding on a particular credit card. It is necessary to consider the amount of credit granted; interest rates, which may vary slightly; the number and range of outlets（经销店）, though most cards cover major garages, hotels, restaurants and department stores; and of course, what happens if your card is lost or stolen. A credit card thief may be sitting on a potential goldmine particularly if there is a delay in reporting the loss of the card.

However, if used wisely, a credit card can cost nothing, or at least help to tide you over a period of financial difficulty.