Gifts & exchanges

27 cards in this category — of which 27 complete, 0 drafts.

• Offering a clock (Chinese taboo)Offering a clock is a commonplace gesture in the West, but in Mandarin Chinese, the word "clock" (鐘) sounds like "accompanying to a funeral", creating a major cultural misunderstanding.
  CompleteOffense
• Offer a knife (slicing friendship)The gift of a knife symbolizes the break-up of a relationship. Some ask for a coin to turn the gift into a "symbolic sale".
  CompleteInsult
• Offer a handkerchief (tears)Offering a handkerchief symbolizes the anticipation of tears in Central Europe and Latin America.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Offering chrysanthemums (mortuary taboo - France, Italy)Chrysanthemums are reserved for funerals in France and Italy. Giving them as gifts is seen as a curse.
  CompleteInsult
• Offering yellow flowers (Russian taboo - infidelity and separation)In Russia, yellow flowers symbolize death, infidelity and separation.
  CompleteInsult
• Offering an even number of flowers (Slavic taboo)In Russia and Poland, an even number of flowers symbolizes a funeral.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Offering lilies (funeral taboo - France)Lilies are associated with funerals in France. Strictly taboo.
  CompleteInsult
• Offering 12 red roses (romantic commitment - Western code)
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Gifts wrapped in red (prestige - China)Red packaging symbolizes prestige and happiness in China - a positive convention.
  CompleteCuriosity
• White wrapping (funerary taboo - Japan, China)White packaging symbolizes death and funerals in East Asia.
  CompleteInsult
• Purple packaging (mourning - Brazil)Purple/purple packaging = mourning and grief in Brazil.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Writing a name in red ink (Korean taboo)Writing a name in red ink in Korea symbolizes death.
  CompleteInsult
• Giving a gift with both hands (respect - Asia)Donner à deux hands symbolise respect et humilité en Asie.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Open a gift immediately (Western-Asian misunderstanding)Opening a gift immediately in front of the giver is seen as impolite in Asia.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Refusing a gift 3 times (Arabic protocol)Refusing three times before accepting a gift is Arab social protocol.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Odd number of flowers (Switzerland)Giving an odd number of flowers (3, 5, 7) is a positive convention in Switzerland.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Elaborate gift wrapping (Japan)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Hongbao - Red wedding envelope (China)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Chukgi - Monetary wedding gift envelope (Korea)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Alcohol as a gift to a Muslim - Religious offence and halalCultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteOffense
• Perfume as a gift - Saudi sensibilities, alcohol and the oud/musk choiceCultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteInsult
• Sweets for children - piñata and dulces tradition in Latin AmericaCultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Gift with 4 items - East Asian number taboo (4 = death)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteInsult
• Tip envelope (Persian Gulf)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Offering an umbrella as a gift (China and East Asia)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteInsult
• Offering shoes (bad luck - China)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteInsult
• Offer a pear (separation - China)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.
  CompleteInsult