Many
attitudes surrounding gifts are beginning to
relax. In any case, you will have to approach
giving gifts with discretion, as outlined in
the following points.
If
you wish to give a gift to an individual, you
must do it privately, in the context of friendship,
not business.
The
Chinese may decline a gift three or more times
before finally accepting, so as not to appear
greedy. You will have to continue to insist.
Once the gift is accepted, express gratitude.
You will be expected to go through the same
routine if you are offered a gift.
In
the presence of other people, never present
a valuable gift to one person. This gesture
will cause only embarrassment, and possibly
even problems for the recipient, given the strict
rules against bribery in Chinese business culture.
Do not take any photograph of any gift giving
unless it is a symbolic gift presented to the
organization as a whole.
Giving
a gift to the entire company, rather than an
individual, can be acceptable in Chinese business
culture as long as you adhere to the following
guidelines:
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
All
business negotiations should be concluded before
gifts are exchanged. |
| |
| |
|
Specify
that the gift is from the company you represent.
If you can, explain the meaning of the gift to the
receiver. |
| |
| |
|
Present
the gift to the leader of the Chinese negotiating
team. |
| |
| |
|
Do
not get anything that is obviously expensive, so
that the company will not feel obliged to reciprocate. |
| |
| |
|
Valuable
gifts should be given to an individual only in private
and strictly as a gesture of friendship. |
| |
| |
|
Make
sure that the gifts given to people of the same
level of importance are equitable or of similar
grade. Somehow, they may find out later, and the
difference may lead to strains in your relationship. |
| |
| |
|
If
possible, have your gifts wrapped in red paper,
which is considered a lucky color. Plain red paper
is one of the few ?safe? choices since a variety
of meanings, many of which are negative, are attributed
to colors in Chinese culture. |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
Pink
and gold and silver are also acceptable colors for
gift wrap. Wrapping in yellow paper with black writing
is a gift given only to the dead. Also, do check
the variations from region to region about colors. |
| |
| |
|
Because
colors have so many different meanings in this culture,
your safest option is to entrust the task of gift-wrapping
to a store or hotel that offers this service. |
|
| |
| |
Selecting
and Presenting an Appropriate Business Gift |
| |
| |
|
A
good cognac or other fine liqueur. |
| |
| |
|
A
fine pen not with red ink
- writing in red ink symbolizes severing ties. |
| |
| |
|
Present
the gift to the leader of the Chinese negotiating
team. |
| |
| |
|
Solar
calculators, Kitchen gadgets. |
| |
| |
|
Stamps,
if the recipient is interested in them [stamp collecting
is very popular in China]. |
| |
| |
|
A
cigarette lighter, assuming the recipient is a smoker. |
|
| |
|
Often,
gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver. |
| |
|
|
Acceptable
gifts for a company include items from your country
or city, such as handicrafts, or an illustrated
book. Be sure to bring a supply of these items
with you, so that you can reciprocate if it happens
that you are presented with a gift.
A
banquet is usually a welcome gift; since it's
likely you will be invited to one, you will have
to follow Chinese business protocol and reciprocate.
In some parts of China, although senior local
officials host the welcoming party, you might
be expected to pay for the cost of the banquet.
Check this out and be prepared.
Gifts
of food are acceptable, but not at dinner parties
or other occasions where appetizers and meals
will be served. Candy and fruit baskets, however,
are acceptable as thank-you gifts sent after these
events.
Eight
is considered one of the luckiest numbers in Chinese
culture. If you receive eight of any item, consider
it a gesture of good will. Six is considered a
blessing for smoothness and problem free advances.
Four is a taboo because it means 'death.' Other
numbers such as '73' meaning 'the funeral' and
'84' meaning 'having accidents' are to be avoided. |
| |
|
|
| |
Some
Gifts to Avoid: |
| |
| |
|
Scissors,
knives, or other sharp objects can be interpreted
as the severing of a friendship or other bond. |
|
| |
| |
The
following items are to be avoided as they are
associated with funerals: |
| |
|
| |
|
Handkerchiefs. |
| |
|
Clocks. |
| |
|
Umbrella |
| |
|
Gifts
or wrapping paper in white, black or blue. |
| |
|
Chrysanthemums
or white flowers |
| |
|
Straw
sandals |
| |
|
|
| |
Related
Link : Guides
for Business |
| |
|
| |
| Disclaimer:
We have tried to make the information on this web
site as accurate as possible, but it is provided
'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any
loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone
resulting from this information. You should verify
critical information (like visas, health and safety,
customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities
before you travel. |
| |
| |
|
|
