Chinese Culture Gift Giving
Chinese Culture Gift Giving - Like all other cultures, Chinese culture has certain "rules" when it comes to gift giving. Once you get used to it, finding these habits can be very difficult. This list will give you a general idea of some ground rules and something to keep in mind as you get used to the Chinese gift giving culture.
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Chinese Culture Gift Giving
Although you are not expected to know everything like a true local, there are some basic details to immerse yourself in this part of the culture as beautifully as possible. Before you gift anyone, here are some basic manners and details to keep in mind to make the most of your experience as a foreigner or traveler.
There are many different occasions when you can give someone a gift, both business and personal. There are also many different people you can gift to. Some common occasions include your baby's 100-day "birthday" or meeting your partner's parents for the first time. Both may not be an occasion or person you would like to gift, but it is common in Chinese culture.
Depending on the occasion and the relationship (both personal and business), adapt your gift accordingly. In Chinese culture, the recipient is expected to say "no" first. Similarly, when you receive a gift, you first say no. It is not meant as a rude gesture or a rejection, it is part of the upbringing of all kinds of gifted people.
Do’s And Don’ts To Understand When Gift Giving In Chinese Culture
Offer the gift again and they will graciously accept it. Otherwise, or if the rejection is firm, the person may not really accept the gift. Respect that and don't force them to take it. When you actually give someone a gift (big or small), do it with both hands, not just one.
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This is a sign that you are giving something important to someone you value. This should also be done when receiving a gift. Both give and receive gifts with both hands, making sure they are facing each other directly. It is a symbol of giving and mutual respect.
This may be something you're used to hearing in other cultures, but in Chinese culture, it's very important to remove the price tag before giving a gift. It's disrespectful to see "how much" you think the recipient is worth in numerical form. Also remove any marketing papers or other branding information (anything from the store you bought it from).
While in Western culture it is often customary to give a watch in professional settings, in Chinese culture a watch (or watch) should not be given as a gift. When spoken aloud, it is synonymous with "bad luck" and is also understood as a bad omen for the passage of time, especially if the recipient is elderly.
Do’s And Don’ts To Understand When Gift Giving In Chinese Culture
A watch will never be the perfect gift. Black and white are associated with funerals and mourning, so always avoid both black and white for these purposes. In general, red paper represents happiness, pink paper represents happiness, and gold and silver are best for weddings as they show happiness in their color symbolism.
This is useful when giving gifts on special occasions. While this may seem oddly specific for something so innocuous, it's an important rule to remember. It's a slang term used to tell someone that your partner is unfaithful and will never be well received - even if that's your intention.
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Don't give anyone a green hat, even if you're single. It is also important not to write anything in red ink - especially the recipient's name. Red ink is considered a bad omen and misfortune, especially if the recipient's name is written with it. In this case, choose another color.
It is also taboo in the culture of South Korea. It is sometimes done in Western cultures, especially for weddings, but in China it is common courtesy to send a thank you note or small gift when receiving a gift from someone. This shows that you appreciate the person's thoughtfulness and concern, and that they will see your gift or message as a proper thank you, rather than something they did out of guilt.
Do Expect A Soft No At First:
Another challenging rule, especially for foreign children traveling to China, is that it is impolite to immediately open your gift (whether you receive the gift or expect the person to open it when you give it to them.) It is considered good behavior. to personally open the gift and send a thank you letter for the gift.
While gift giving may seem like a maze of rules and regulations, it really isn't. These are just common practices so that when the time comes, you can prepare to give the right kind of gift with the right expectations and etiquette. Not only will it help them feel confident in your choices and decisions, but it will also mean a lot to the recipient as they will see that you have taken the time and effort to understand Chinese gift giving customs.
This is a sign of great respect and will have a positive effect on the recipient. Even if you don't remember everything on this list, keep the key points in mind and save them for later if needed! Your email address will not be published.
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Do Expect A Soft No At First:
APN: 28 616 010 934 Christmas and New Year are approaching. Have you chosen your gifts? Finding the perfect gift for friends, relatives, children, etc. it can be a bit overwhelming at times and you don't necessarily have to avoid cultural barriers. The Chinese are very careful when giving gifts.
Colors, sizes and local customs are taken into account. Special attention should also be paid to the pronunciation of some gifts. As we all know, Chinese tones can add superstition to words, making the language unique. When a gift shares pronunciation with a word with an unpleasant overtone, your good intentions can turn into a gift-giving disaster.
Let's take a look at some rules to follow when preparing gifts for Chinese people. Second, roll everything into luck just to be safe. Traditionally, the Chinese prefer "红 (hóng)" - "red" because red is the color of celebration, luck and happiness. You can see that lucky money is put in red envelopes, and the decorations for spring festivals and wedding days are mostly red.
Compared to Westerners who think white is "purity and purity", Chinese people do not like the color white because in China "white" is the color of misery and poverty. You will find that funeral halls are usually decorated with white ribbons and white paper flowers.
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