culturalsavvy.com | Gift Giving - How to Avoid Blunders & Faux Pas

Gift Giving Savvy
How to Avoid Blunders and Faux Pas
By Joyce Millet


Gift-giving customs vary from culture to culture. What may be considered culturally savvy in one culture often becomes a cultural faux pas in another culture.

	Not only do customs vary from culture to culture, but the importance placed on exchanging gifts, and the protocol associated with giving, will vary.
It is important to understand how various countries view gift giving. Gifts may be viewed as thoughtful gestures, generosity, business development & promotion, bribery, or payment for special favors.

Importance of Gifts by Regions

As a general rule, countries/regions fall into categories based on the importance they place on gift giving protocol.

High priority	Medium priority	Low priority

Japan	Pacific Rim: South Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore The Middle East Latin America	United States Canada Australia Europe

Why Do People Give Gifts?

People give gifts for a variety of reasons...

To build and maintain personal or business relationships

To promote business products or services

To enhance the image and reputation of the company

To show appreciation

To show respect

To express an apology

To encourage or motivate

To celebrate or congratulate

To acknowledge your host

The Importance of Business Gifts

With few exceptions, good business relationships are built upon strong personal relationships. In Asian and Latin American countries, in particular, relationships are key to business success.

Selecting an appropriate and proper gift requires knowledge & sensitivity.

The art of gift giving is a tradition that has been around for a long time.

A British expression gives an excellent suggestion:

Avoid "Carrying coals to Newcastle." People in Newcastle, a coal-mining town, would not appreciate receiving coal as a gift!

In other words, avoid giving something people already have. Do not give wine to the French, beer to the Germans, chocolates to the Swiss, or tea to the Chinese.

Cultural Savvy Recommendations

Research the cultural do's and taboos for each of the cultures in which you do business. Consider the following:

Status and title of people receiving gifts	Type & cost of gifts
Relationship to people receiving gifts	Wrapping gifts
Protocol of presenting gifts	Gift taboos
Protocol of receiving gifts	Reciprocity

Prepare a list of items that represent your local culture, region, country, company.

Keep a detailed list of gifts that you have presented, and the names of recipients. Duplicating gifts shows lack of thoughtfulness.

Keep a detailed list of gifts you have received. This is very helpful when preparing thank you letters, and it is an excellent way to evaluate relationships.

Provide cultural training for employees who are responsible for making gift selections, and/or, work with cultural experts that can make suggestions, or review your corporate gift giving programs.