Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese.

In Mandarin, the word "pants" is translated as "Pu Tong Hua," which sounds similar to the word "bitter," which can be considered bad luck. In Cantonese, the translated word for "pants" sounds similar to "wealth." In Hong Kong, where Cantonese is the predominant language, shops promote sales of pants during Chinese New Year, as they will bring "wealth" to their lives.

Candy is eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.

Sweeping the floor is considered bad luck, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year; in the same way that having a bath will wash away the good fortune.

Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.

Buying books is bad luck, because it is a homonym to the word "lose."

Opening windows and/or doors is considered to "bring in" the good luck of the new year.

Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to "scare away" ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.