Children like the latest electronic
toys, and for parents Gucci Hermés,
Countess Mara, George Jensen and
other tony brand names are a
language virtually every Japanese
understands.
Because preferring to open presents
privately, never give an unwrapped
object. Perfunctory wrapping,
however, is worse than none at all. If
you are not skilled in wrapping, wait
to buy gifts at a Japanese
department store, or arrange for
someone who knows how it is done to
wrap it for you.
If you do wrap the gift yourself,
never use ribbons or bows bought in
your country. The color and texture
signify the type and value of the
gift. Avoid bold color paper.
Black and white wrappings convey
funeral overtones, bright red is
inappropriate. To show the best
possible taste and regard for the
recipient, buy lightly tinted rice
paper and do your wrapping when you
get there.
You may not be able to match the
lavish geisha-house treatment
provided by your host, let them have
the last word.
Avoid gifts in multiples of fours.
Avoid flowers completely, they are
usually given in case of courtship,
illness or death.
In Japan, never give gift first. This
can cause your host to lose face.
China
commemorative coins. A good pen
would have more meaning and use.
Technically, it is against the law... but
the acceptance of gift gifting is
increasing at a rapid rate.
Small gifts are customarily exchanged
at first meetings as a way of saying,
“I hope our friendship will last.”
Clocks are not well-received, as they
connote death.
Kitchen gadgets, engraved name
plaques for desk use, personally
engraved pens, and cd’s are quite
popular, as is cognac.
Avoid giving anything large.
Americans back from China generally
agree that gift giving does little to
improve business relations, but that
of not giving can have a negative
effective. In other words, be
prepared.
All business should be completed
before gifts are exchanged.
There are two gifts that legally and
can be given openly. One is a
banquet—your Chinese hosts will
almost certainly give you one and it is
expected you will return the favor.
There is specific protocol. Banquets
can be ordered at designated
restaurants from one of your hosts
chose for their banquet. There are
four degrees to choose from. Choose
the same degree.
The other legal gift is a collective,
symbolic gift from “your side to their
side”, It should be made clear the gift
is on behalf of the entire group and
company and is meant for the whole
group on the receiving end. Also, this
should be handed to the head
representative at the banquet.
Especially welcome are gifts that
commemorate the occasion or reflect
the business your company
represents.
Never give foreign currency or
3
On holidays in Chinese cultures
including Taiwan, Singapore and Hong
Kong, it is appropriate for guests to
give servants a small amount of money
in an envelope. In Hong Kong, red
envelopes are available for this if
you’re there during the lunar New Year.
The Arab Word
This is more challenging than Japan.
Enter treading carefully and carrying
a big gift. The Arabs will always