Gift-Giving Customs Around the World
Country↕ | Custom↕ | Taboo↕ | Known For↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
Japan | Omiyage (souvenir gifts) expected after any trip, elaborate wrapping is essential | Sets of four (shi sounds like death), white flowers | Gift given with both hands and a bow, refused once before accepting |
China | Red envelopes (hongbao) with money for holidays and weddings | Clocks (sounds like attending a funeral), sharp objects, green hats | Gift refused twice before accepting, never open in front of giver |
Russia | Always give an odd number of flowers | Even numbers are for funerals, never give empty wallet | Bring chocolates or wine when visiting a home |
South Korea | White envelopes with cash at weddings and funerals | Writing names in red ink (used for the dead) | Gifts given and received with both hands |
India | Odd amounts like 101 or 501 rupees considered auspicious | Leather gifts to Hindus (cow is sacred), alcohol to Muslims | Gift given with the right hand or both hands |
Germany | Bring flowers to a host, unwrapped before handing over | Red roses (romantic), lilies and chrysanthemums (funeral) | Punctuality and practical gifts valued |
France | Wine as a host gift, chocolates or flowers | Chrysanthemums (for graves), carnations (bad luck) | Quality over quantity, good wine appreciated |
Saudi Arabia | Gifts given in private, never to a man's wife directly | Alcohol, pork products, images of women | Received with the right hand only |
Mexico | Flowers at a home visit, yellow symbolizes death | Silver (associated with trinkets for tourists), marigolds (for the dead) | Purple flowers also associated with funerals |
Brazil | Avoid black or purple gifts (mourning colors) | Handkerchiefs (associated with sadness), knives (sever relationships) | Flowers or chocolates welcome at home visits |
Thailand | Gift wrapped in bright colors, given with the right hand | Marigolds and carnations (funerals), never touching anyone's head | Not opened in front of the giver |
Vietnam | Fruit baskets and tea popular, even numbers for celebrations | Handkerchiefs (tears), yellow flowers, black items | Lunar New Year gifts with red envelopes (li xi) |
United Kingdom | Wine, chocolates, or flowers for host | White lilies (funerals), overly expensive gifts (awkward) | Understated gifts, thank-you notes expected |
United States | Gifts opened immediately in front of the giver | Too-personal gifts at business meetings | Gift cards widely accepted, wedding registries common |
Italy | Flowers, wine, or pastries for hosts | Chrysanthemums (funerals), purple (bad luck) | Odd numbers of flowers (except 12) |
Switzerland | Flowers unwrapped, chocolates, wine for hosts | Red roses (romantic), white chrysanthemums and lilies (funerals) | Punctuality and politeness paramount |
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