Gift-Giving Customs Around the World
Gift-giving Customs Around The World is a structured culture dataset with 16 entries. Its fields include Country, Custom, Taboo. The source values are preserved as a structured reference table.
Every row is shown below and is also available as CSV, JSON, or Excel.
Dataset details
- Table scope
- All 16 rows
- Fields
- 4 columns
- Source
- Community curated
- Data updated
- Apr 9, 2026
Included fields: Country, Custom, Taboo, Known For.
The table contains every record in this dataset; the same records are available in each download format.
Preview observations
No reliable range or grouping can be calculated from the loaded rows without interpreting the source data.
Useful for
- Comparing Country, Custom, and Taboo across culture entries
- Building reference tables, charts, or analyses from 16 downloadable records
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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Frequently asked questions
How is Gift-Giving Customs Around the World organized?
The table starts in the source data's default order. You can sort and filter the loaded rows by the displayed fields.
How much data is available on this page?
This dataset contains 16 entries, and every row is available in the table and in the downloadable files.
Can I download the complete dataset?
Yes. CSV, JSON, and Excel downloads contain all 16 rows. Before republishing the data, review the source and any usage terms listed on this page; dtbse does not replace the original source's licensing terms.
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