Gift Giving across Cultures
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success provides information on conducting business effectively with
people from around the world.
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It is important to understand the protocol regarding gifts in the country
in which you will be doing business. Exchanging gifts is a highly valued
custom in some cultures, while in others it may be unimportant or even
inappropriate. In cultures that customarily include gift-giving as a part
of doing business, you should know what types of gifts are appropriate,
as there are certain items which may be considered unlucky or even insulting.
It is also important to check your company's policies regarding gift giving.
Many companies in countries such as Singapore and the United States, for
example, have policies restricting the giving or accepting of gifts in
an attempt to avoid any appearance of bribery.
GlobeSmart contains detailed country-specific guidelines
on the topic of gift-giving, but for general tips, the following list
is a useful starting point:
Value of the Gift:
Give something which is of good quality but not overly expensive. An
overly expensive item might be perceived as an attempt to bribe. In
general, when giving a gift to someone who has already given you a gift,
try to make the value of your gift similar to the value of the gift
you received from him or her.
Gift Giving Venue:
Find out when the appropriate time would be to present your gift - for
example, in a meeting or outside of the office, in a social setting.
When to Give:
Find out at what stage of a relationship a gift might be expected. In
some cultures, gifts may be offered at the initial meeting, as a gesture
of hope for a good relationship. In other cultures (including many Latin
American countries), a gift might be presented only after a relationship
has developed.
Packaging:
Learn the expectations regarding packaging of a gift. Some cultures
rate the packaging or wrapping of a gift almost as highly as they do
the gift itself. Be aware of the significance of certain colors in specific
cultures. For example, white in many Asian countries is associated with
mourning. In China, red and gold are good colors, as red signifies happiness
and gold, wealth.
Protocol:
Learn the specific protocol for the act of giving or receiving a gift.
For example, in Japan, it is polite to offer or receive a gift using
both hands. Also, find out whether it is appropriate to open the gift
immediately, or to wait until later when the giver is not present, as
is customary in Japan.
Avoid overly personal gifts, such as items of clothing (unless it's
something like a t-shirt with the logo of a famous sports team) or jewelry.
In addition, observe the religious beliefs of a culture when choosing
your gift. It would be inappropriate to give an alcoholic beverage,
for example, to a Mormon or a Muslim.
Tips for Women:
Women should be careful about giving gifts to male colleagues. For example,
it might be better for a woman to give gifts to a male colleague's children
rather than the colleague himself, lest the gesture be interpreted as
a sign of romantic interest.
Examples of Gift Giving from Around the World
China
Always present and receive gifts with both hands, palms up. Do not put
the gift aside without expressing your appreciation for the gesture. Do
not open a gift in the presence of the giver unless specifically requested
to do so. This risks putting the giver in an uncomfortable situation,
especially if you do not like the gift. Likewise, it is best not to push
the person receiving your gift to open it on the spot. This may put him
or her in an awkward position if they were not planning to open it.
Always wrap the gifts you give. The paper should be appropriate to the
occasion. Never use a combination of white and black paper. You may want
to consider not wrapping gifts before you travel, as customs officials
may sometimes ask you to unwrap them. Carry the paper with you or purchase
it at your destination. Some hotels can also help you with wrapping.
Inappropriate Gifts:
• Knives, scissors, or letter openers: symbolize the severance
of a relationship.
• Clocks: in many Chinese dialects, the phrase "give clock"
sounds the same as "see off into death"
• Handkerchiefs: associated with crying and funerals.
• Items packaged in sets of 4 unless it is a set of two pairs.
Appropriate Gifts:
The best business gifts are ones that are pertinent to your relationship
with the recipient and that can be identified with your organization or
home country. The following are some sample suggestions:
• Audio tapes or CDs of your country’s famous musicians.
• Books, especially those that include photos of your country.
• Business magazine subscriptions from your country.
• Calendars with scenes from your country or region.
• Coffee mugs with logos.
• Items produced by your company.
• Lapel pins bearing your organization’s logo.
• Prestigious name-brand items.
• Pens, desk sets, paperweights, and memo pads with your organization’s
logo.
• T-shirts, polo shirts or caps bearing your organization’s
logo.
• Wines or whiskeys (These should generally be presented in private
and only if you know the person well.)
Italy
Gift giving is important in establishing business relationships in Italy,
but gifts are not commonly exchanged at the initial stages of business.
Even so, it may be a good idea to have a gift ready to reciprocate in
case you are given one.
It is appropriate to open the gift as soon as you receive it. Gifts in
Italy are elegantly wrapped, and it is wise to follow suit, taking care
that your gift is of high quality but not obviously expensive.
Appropriate gifts:
• High vintage wines or liquor.
• Books and desk accessories.
• Fine chocolates, pastries or other delicacies.
• Nice pens engraved with your company logo or name.
• Tasteful, quality crafts from your home country.
Inappropriate gifts:
• Do not give any gift that appears cheap or inexpensive.
• Chrysanthemums (associated with funerals) or roses (romantic
connotations).
• Sharp items such as knives or letter openers (these imply negative
feelings).
• Handkerchiefs, which connote sadness.
• Avoid a gift that is chiefly a vehicle for your company logo.
• Avoid the color purple, which is bad luck.
• Don't wrap the gift in black and gold, as these colors are associated
with mourning.
India
Gifts are not usually given in a business context. Gifts are appropriate,
however, if you are invited to visit an Indian at his/her home.
Appropriate Gifts:
• Candy or sweets
• Fruit
• Items symbolic of your home
• Quality wine, whisky, or other alcoholic beverages (as long
as you are sure that your host drinks alcohol)
• Flowers (with the exclusion of frangipani, which are for funerals)
• Toys for children
• Perfume for women of the household
• Gifts wrapped in colors that are considered auspicious such
as green, red, or yellow.
Inappropriate Gifts:
• Gifts that are leather or made from other animals
• Gifts wrapped in black or white paper, colors that are considered
inauspicious
• Images or figures of dogs to Muslims. These are considered unclean.
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