The Dos And Many Don’ts Of Gift Giving In China
A British expat asks us: Are there any rules about giving gifts in China? What types of gifts should I give to locals? Which ones should I avoid? A: China has a long tradition of giving gifts. We give presents on many occasions such as festivals, business meetings, weddings, promotions and birthdays. Moreover, we always give gifts when we visit someone’s home. In that case, fruit, dim sum and teas are the most common things to give. The value of the presents should be decided case by case. We recommend you consider the background and the personal interest before choosing a gift for someone. Here is a list of items that you should avoid when giving gifts, according to Chinese customs: Clocks In Chinese, clock sounds the same as zhong, which literally means “the end” and elderly people will associate it with “death.” Pears Just like we said earlier, fruit is the most common gift to take when visiting friends or relatives. But some fruits should be avoided, esp...