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Are you Cultured in International Gift Giving? |
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Millions of people from all parts of the globe travel to other parts of the globe every day to visit people they know or don’t know, sometimes bearing gifts to present to their hosts as a thankful gesture. But how many of them think about the gift protocol of the country to which they are traveling to? What is considered appropriate in France may be entirely inappropriate in Japan. There is a cross-cultural gift giving etiquette that very few of us know of or care to research prior to a foreign trip. A lack of cross-cultural understanding can lead to misunderstandings which may result in offense to the gifts’ receiver. Cross cultural awareness and understanding of foreign etiquette is important for today’s globe- trotters. When gift giving, your kind gesture may turn into a negative connotation especially when you do not know the person prior. The wrong gift could make a new relationship turn sour upon first meeting.
When traveling abroad and bringing gifts, especially for first time encounters, there are some points to consider beforehand:
• Who is receiving the gift? Is it a person or a group? What is the status of the receiver(s)?
• What types of gifts are acceptable or unacceptable?
• What is the protocol associated with gift giving and receiving?
• Should gifts be reciprocated?
In order to highlight some of the different aspects of cross cultural gift giving etiquette, a few examples are listed to help you avoid making a cultural “faux pas” when giving a gift. The importance of gift giving varies from once country to the next. The more rules there are the more importance gift giving is in their culture. As a general rule, Asian and Middle Eastern countries have a higher importance of gift giving than other countries in the world.
In China
• It is the proper etiquette for gifts to be exchanged for celebrations, as thanks for assistance and even as a sweetener for future favors.
• Do not give cash.
• Do not be too frugal with your gift choice, otherwise you will be seen as an “iron rooster”, i.e. getting a good gift out of you is like getting a feather out of an iron rooster.
• Avoid giving one of something. Giving gifts in single or odd numbers implies loneliness or separation.
• Chinese philosophy stresses harmony and balance, so give in pairs. Pairs also equate good luck.
• Do not give anything in fours. It is considered unlucky because the word “four” has the same meaning as death.
• Do not give umbrellas as gifts. The umbrella signifies separation.
• Do not give clocks as gifts. The clock signifies the severing of a relationship or the “death” of one.
• It is culturally acceptable to refuse a gift repeatedly. It is expected that the giver persist and the recipient’s acceptance will eventually follow.
• Colors such as white, blue or black are associated with funerals. Do not wrap gifts in any of these colors.
• Red, yellow and pink are seen as joyful colors and are acceptable for gift-wrap.
• Do not write anything in red ink. It symbolizes the severing of a relationship.
• Do not give sharp objects such as knives, letter openers, or scissors. These imply the severance of a relationship.
• Never give a married man a green hat. Wearing a green hat suggests infidelity.
In Japan
• As gift giving is a central part of Japanese etiquette, bring a range of gifts for your trip so if you are presented with a gift you will be able to reciprocate.
• Expensive gifts are common and quality is very important.
• The best time to present a gift is at the end of your visit.
• A gift for an individual should be given in private. It is extremely rude to present a gift to one individual in a group without giving gifts to the rest.
• If you are presenting a gift to a group of people, they should all be present.
• Present gifts with both hands, one-handed gifts suggest to the recipient that you are not giving the gift freely and with pleasure.
• It is polite to refuse a gift at least once or twice before accepting.
• Giving four or nine of anything is considered unlucky. Give in pairs if possible. Similar to Chinese, the word “four” is associated with the word for death.
• Always wrap the gifts you present but avoid using white or brightly colored wrapping paper. White symbolizes death and bright colors are too flashy.
• Avoid giving monetary gifts.
In Pacific Rim Countries
• It is impolite to open a gift in the presence of the giver.
• Gifts should be presented at the end of a visit.
• It is polite to show reluctance when accepting a gift.
In Taiwan
• See “China” for etiquette rules.
• Be careful not to give a gift originally made in Taiwan.
• Do not bring any type of food such as fruits or chocolate. Food conotates that the host requires help in feeding their guests.
In Thailand
• Thais love bright colors so it is acceptable to wrap gifts in brightly colored gift-wrap and ribbons.
• Ripping open the wrapping paper is offensive.
• “Three” is considered a lucky number.
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