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ART & LEISURE: Getting the Gift Right
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Getting the Gift Right
By Caitlin Hardy

BT 201711 ART CULTURE 01      送礼物几乎是中国人对“礼仪之邦”的另一种注解。在中国文化中,礼尚往来要送礼,逢年过节要送礼,生了孩子要送礼,孩子满月、百岁、生日也要送礼,考上大学要送礼,男婚女嫁也要送礼,升官了要送礼,老人过寿要送礼,去世后也要送礼。所以送礼一事几乎贯穿中国人的一生。但是并非所有的东西都可以随便拿来送,下面就随小编一起看看中国的送礼“雷区”有哪些。

      有些物件因与不吉之事谐音而不能作为礼物。例如:钟表的“钟”与“终”谐音,表与婊同音;特别是“送钟”更会让老人们联想到“送终”,很不吉利。水果是走亲访友时候的最常见的礼物之一。但梨却不宜,因为“梨”与“离”谐音,给夫妻、恋人送梨就很不适合。 “鞋”与“邪”同音,而且鞋被踩在脚下,所以除了自己家人,一般不要给别人送鞋。“伞”音同“散”,意离散,为人们所不喜,所以伞也被视为不吉利的礼物。

      送礼物的数量也有讲究。例如送礼从不送4个物件,因为“4”听起来像是“死”,历来为人们所忌讳。近年来,随着中西方文化的融合,13也成为了人们不喜欢的数字。在送礼中以避开这两个数字为佳。反之,8、6等数字则寓意发财和顺利,较为妥当。

      送礼时的姿势也需要注意,双手奉上礼物表示尊敬,而收礼者也要多次拒绝表示谦逊。当然了,你不用担心自己送出的礼物得不到回报:在中国这个重视关系和人情往来的国度,你的礼物会收获等值的回报。
BT 201711 Art 01The practice of gifting is rarely stress-free in any culture, be it buying for your significant other, a business associate or even your mother. However, most cultures exhibit a more carefree outlook on gift giving in comparison to China, where there are additional aspects to be taken into account if you want to avoid a genuine faux pas. It is not simply a question of budget or deciding what might most delight the recipient; in Chinese culture the number of rather strict rules of etiquette to be obeyed within the process of gifting requires more thoughtfulness.
 

BT 201711 67In Chinese culture, it is not only the significance of the gift itself, but also the way it is wrapped and the manner in which it is presented which need very careful consideration.
 

Gifts to be avoided include clocks, as they would be considered a symbol of the countdown of time till the recipient’s death. Also knives or scissors, which in turn represent severing of a relationship, are not exactly the message one would wish to deliver to an important corporate client or much-valued PA.
 

Whilst gifts of fruit are always a standard gift recommendation in China, this comes with the exception of the humble pear, as it sounds similar to the Chinese word for departing. White flowers of any kind are another item to be avoided, as they are used at funerals. As an additional consideration, the quantity of items such as cut flowers or pieces of fruit is crucial. Eight items is optimal, since this number is regarded as being the most auspicious. However, on the other hand, the number four should be avoided, as it sounds similar to the word for death.
 

A great suggestion for foreigners in China is to bring some gifts from your home country, which would be a winner with almost anyone. Whether a design item or some local food, it would likely create a very positive impression on the recipient.
 

During Chinese New Year, the gifting process is facilitated by the fact that most gifts come in form of money and are given in special red envelopes called hong bao. Always use new and crisp notes to form a good impression. Particularly drivers, home help and friends’ children do appreciate this type of gift. Do remember, though, to avoid a sum with a four in it, like 400 renminbi. That would, indeed, be a social blunder.
 

When it comes to wrapping of the gift, one needs to pay as much attention to the gift itself. Your best bet is to go for the lucky colour of red in combination with a gold ribbon or bow to signify wealth. It may be a wise idea to get the wrapping done in the store from which you purchase the gift, as then you are guaranteed to be on the safe side.
 

Using both hands to present the gift shows respect and sincerity. The Chinese will often politely refuse a gift several times before accepting it in order to show their humility. In the business arena, you can expect the gesture to soon be reciprocated with a gift of similar value.
 

Importance of gifting can be clearly witnessed firsthand in duty-free shops in airports all over the world. Chinese tourists and business people hastily fill their baskets full of high-end beauty products and liquor. Airlines’ onboard shopping does excellent business with their Chinese passengers, eager to buy most of the stock to gift upon their return home.
 

The act of gifting in China is thought of as a means of creating and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships. It portrays the commitment and devotion between the giver and the recipient, thus giving the process much more depth than many of us could imagine. Next time you find yourself buying a gift for a Chinese acquaintance, don’t just pick up the first thing you see.
 

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