5 things not to do during Chinese New Year

Know your superstitions to avoid New Year embarrassment or misfortune

Make sure you start the New Year right by following these simple rules. Basically, if anything can be construed as (or sound like) something unlucky, don't do that thing. 

Don't wash your hair

Don't go gloating about your shiny, freshly-washed hair for at least three days during Chinese New Year (we're not implying you do not wash). Whatever the state of your bodily hygiene, cleanliness is generally not appreciated during Chinese New Year. Your hair is only shiny because you washed all the luck away so it's bare. 

Don't cut your hair

There's power in the hair. Cut it and you'll be helpless the whole year. Okay, that last bit we made up. But cutting hair is a no-no, a tradition that leads to a rush on hairdressers in the run up to the festival, as anyone that has attempted to get a last minute hair appointment can testify.

Don't clean up

Lest you sweep away the good luck, make sure not to clean up on New Year's day. Before the celebrations start, there's a day of cleaning to sweep away the bad luck. But once the New Year starts, any cleaning could sweep up (and away) the good luck. So, no dusting the house, washing, throwing out – it's all very bad luck.

Don't be in debt

Asking to borrow money – even if it's a tenth of 1RMB – or being in debt is bad news at New Year. It's all symbolic. No wonder people who sell property are desperate to do so before the new year, so they can settle the balance sheets before it eats them up with bad luck. Start in the red (the Western way), and you'll end that way too.

Don't sharpen your knives

Do not even attempt to sharpen your knife (while washing your hair?). As with the hair cuts, anything to do with cutting is about cutting short your luck, and therefore the utensils are also to be left alone. It might be high time for that big family meal, but if you forgot to sharpen the chopping knife, you'll just have to cope with a blunt-ender till later on.

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