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FIND GIFTS:  for her  |  for him  |  for couples  |  for tots to teens  |  for business associates

We would like to find out more about gift giving in other cultures. If you are familiar with gift customs in another part of the world, we would very much like to hear from you. Please e-mail us with your comments.

If you prefer, you may copy and paste the following questions into an e-mail document and fill in as much information as you wish.

1. What is the name of the country or region about which you are providing information?

2. What gifts are typically given for birthdays?

3. Do certain birthdays have special significance?

4. What gifts are customarily given for a wedding?

5. Is it customary to entertain others in one’s home? If so, what gifts would a guest be expected to bring?

6. If celebrated, what gifts are customary for such occasions as Christmas, Mother's Day, and Father's Day?

7. Are there other occasions for which gifts are expected (new baby, graduation, rites of passage, Valentine's Day, etc.)?

8. Is it appropriate to give gifts of money? If yes, for what occasions?

9. How are gifts generally wrapped?

10. Are there any symbols of good luck that might be incorporated into a gift or gift wrapping?

11. Are there any symbols of bad luck that should be avoided when giving or wrapping gifts?

12. Are there any numbers considered to bring good luck?

13. Are there any numbers considered to bring bad luck?

14. Are there any colors that should be avoided when giving or wrapping a gift?

15. How are gifts generally presented and received? For example, are gifts given in the presence of others or when the giver and recipient are alone? Are gifts opened in the presence of the giver?

16. How are gifts generally acknowledged? Are thank-you notes customary or expected. Is the recipient expected to reciprocate with a gift?

Too often, gift givers assume that because an item is a nice gift in their own culture it will also be well received by a person of another culture. Thus, even though the giver's intentions are sincere, the giver's lack of knowledge creates a situation that can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, or offensive—jeopardizing personal or business relationships. Similarly, a well-chosen gift—appropriate to the cultures of both the giver and the recipient—enhances a relationship. To this end, please share with us any stories or anecdotes of which you know that illustrate the need for cultural sensitivity in gift giving.

thank you, we look forward to your comments