INTERNATIONAL GIFT GIVING ETIQUETTES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD*

*Prepared under the guidance of Prof S P Garg, Jaipuria Institute of Management ,JAIPUR,INDIA by the students of PGDM,2011-13 batch

students

(sp.garg@jaipuria.ac.in)

International Gift Giving Etiquette Portugal

The gifts are intended to be a personal gesture and mark of respect and not a bribe.

Gifts received should be unwrapped and shown on receipt.

Quite expensive gifts--a good fountain pen or a piece of porcelain, for example--can be acceptable if that is really appropriate in the business situation and to the status of the person involved.

Appropriate coffee table books are often given and received.

Thanking for a gift is usually done verbally but a written note, while not necessary, is always appreciated.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – India

Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver.   

Gifts are not wrapped in black or white, which are considered unlucky colors. Instead, use green, red, and yellow, since they are considered lucky colors.

When invited to an Indian's home for dinner, bring a small gift of chocolates or flowers. 

If money is given to an Indian, ensure that it is an odd number. Liquor gifts are avoided in India.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – France

Be aware that displays of warmth and generosity between business associates are not the norm in French business culture.

Don't be overly concerned about whether the gift is too expensive or inexpensive:

select something you think the recipient will appreciate.  

Good gift selections can also include coffee table books about one’s home country. 

French business etiquette dictates that you don’t include your business card with a gift

Invitation to a French home, consider it a rare honor.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Colombia

When invited to a home for a meal, flowers, pastries or chocolates, nuts or fruits are appreciated.

If meet a business associate's family, it is a thoughtful gesture to bring a gift for the children. Ensure that your gift selections are not already easily available in Colombia.

Wrapped gifts are opened in private, so that the recipient does not appear greedy.

Preference for the gift are liquor based.

Gifts native to home region are appreciated.

International Gift Giving Etiquette –Argentina

In a business context, gifts must be choosen as they will not be perceived as a form of bribery.

Inexpensive but in good taste with a recognition of the receiver's preferences and likings are appreciated.

Ensure the gift is properly wrapped and has a card enclosed.

When visiting an Argentine home, flowers [red, white roses], chocolates for the hostess and a well selected bottle of wine for the host are best choices.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Hong Kong

Gift giving is an intricate and important practice in Hong Kong. 

If one receives a gift, he or she tries to give a gift in return. 

Accept and give gifts with both hands. 

Unwrapping a gift in front of the giver is not a common practice. This action implies that the recipient is greedy and impatient.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Russia

Russians take pleasure in giving and receiving gifts. Be sure to bring an assortment of gifts, so that it will always have something appropriate to give. 

Cheaper gifts do not have to be wrapped, while more expensive ones should be. 

Gifts for children are usually opened in private, while gifts for adults are generally opened in the presence of others.

Russians spend a lot of money on gifts. Avoid giving gifts such as pencils, pens, lighters (unless they are expensive ones), cheap wine or vodka, notebooks, etc. 

It is considered bad luck to give a pregnant woman a baby gift until after the baby is born

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Japan

Gift-giving is an important part of Japanese business protocol. Moreover, gifts are exchanged among colleagues on July 15 and January 1 to commemorate midyear and the year's end respectively.

The best time to present a gift is toward the end of your visit.

A gift for an individual should be given in private. If you are presenting a gift to a group of people, have all of the intended recipients assembled.

Present gifts with both hands.

Gift in pairs of two but avoid giving in four and nine.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Peru

Wine is appreciated [a costly item in Peru]  

Daily planners are the good way to present the gift. 

Books about one’s own country is honoured.

13 of anything is avoided. 

Purple or black objects are avoided. [which have connotations of religious ceremonies

International Gift Etiquette – South Korea

Giving gifts to acquire favors or build relationships is a common practice in the workplace, and reciprocity is expected.

They will appreciate gifts from one’s country or regions. Avoid items made in the underdeveloped countries, unless they are cultural icons or souvenirs.

When it is planned to give a gift to several people within an organization, be sure to give a gift of greater value to the senior person.

A gift of money should be put in an envelope. Cash is popular for weddings, holidays [for children], birthdays, funerals, etc.

Use both hands when giving or receiving a gift. Gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver.

International Gift Etiquette –United Arab Emirates

Gifts constitute a greater problem in the UAE than in most other countries because

virtually everything can be purchased there less expensively than anywhere else in the world.  

Any gift must be the best affordable. 

Traditional perfume is the gift most appreciated by Arabians. One would not give the same present to a Dubaian who appreciates tradition

perfume as to Egyptian. They differentiate between Arabic because of certain difficulties but however there

are few general rules.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Brazil

Giving a gift is not necessary during a first meeting.

A relaxed social situation is the best time to present a gift.

Do not give anything that is obviously expensive. Your generosity will only cause embarrassment or be misinterpreted as a bribe.

Avoid giving items in black or purple, since these are the colors of mourning. Moreover, handkerchiefs are also associated with funerals.

Gifts of knives, scissors, or letter openers are interpreted as the severing of a close bond.

 International Gift Giving Etiquette Italy

Gifts are expected for social events, especially to express your thanks after one have been invited to a dinner party at a home. 

Gifts are usually opened at the time they are given and received. 

Gifts of alcohol or crafts from one’s own country are often good choices.  

Holiday cards can be appropriate, particularly as an expression of thanks to your business

 

Gifts or wrappings in purple--this colour is considered a symbol of bad luck. 

International Gift Giving Etiquette – China

If one wishes to give a gift to an individual, he must do it privately, in the context of friendship, not business.

All business negotiations should be concluded before gifts are exchanged.

Present the gift to the leader of the Chinese negotiating team.

Do not get anything that is obviously expensive, so that the company will not feel obliged to reciprocate.

Do not wrap a gift before arriving in China, as it may be unwrapped in Customs.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Chile

Gifts are not expected in a business context until the relationship becomes close.

Don't select anything that is obviously expensive; unless generosity may be perceived as a bribe.

Ensure that your gift is wrapped and has a card enclosed.

Flowers or candy are standard gifts for the hostess; a gift of flowers should be sent in advance. Avoid yellow roses, as they are perceived as a sign of contempt. Moreover, purple and black flowers symbolize death.

International Gift Etiquette – United Kingdom

Giving gifts is not a normal part of British business culture. Indeed, British business colleagues are quite likely to feel embarrassed to receive any gift at all.

Small gifts such as a pen or a book, again suitably inscribed, would be suitable tokens of genuine gratitude and flowers or wine/champagne suffice to thank (junior)

colleagues for their services.

It is always good form to buy a round of drinks for colleagues after work. (This is also the most common way of celebrating someone’s birthday.)

Business gifts are never exchanged at Christmas but it may be appropriate to send a card, particularly as an expression of thanks to your business associates.

Champagne, though, is never unwelcome and can always be put quickly in the fridge for an after-dinner toast.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Switzerland

In Swiss business culture, propriety is considered more important than gestures of affection such as gifts.

A coffee-table book about one’s home region would be suitable choices and a bottle of fine wine, whisky or brandy is a good fallback.

Do not give a gift that is obviously expensive, since your generosity may be perceived as either too excessive or a form of bribery.

Interpreters or guides prefer to receive a thoughtful gift rather than a tip.

Knives, scissors, cutlery or other sharp objects of any kind are not appropriate gifts since they symbolise the severing of a friendship or other close bond.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Austria

In general, gifts are not casually exchanged in business.

Gifts should be moderate and unassuming. Books describing one’s hometown or country, a local product [e.g. scotch or bourbon] or a local artifact [e.g. porcelain or silverware] all make good gifts when exchanged in an office setting.

It is very unusual for an outsider to be invited into an Austrian's home but, if one is invited then he should go with gifts in hand for your host, his or her spouse and their children.

A bottle of vintage wine, [French] champagne or brandy would make a good gift for

your host and high-quality chocolates are appreciated.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Germany

In Germany, a small gift is polite, especially when contacts are made for the first time.  

Gifts are expected for social events, especially to express thanks after one have been invited to a dinner party at a home. 

Avoid selecting anything obviously expensive, as this may make the other person feel “obligated” to one’s generosity. 

Fine chocolates can also be an appropriate gift when you are invited to a home. 

If one decide to bring alcohol, a good imported liquor is the safest choice. 

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Australia

Generally, gift-giving is not part of Australian business culture.

But, if one is invited to a home for dinner, it's permissible to bring a token gift of flowers, chocolates, a craft from home region, or wine.

An illustrated book from one’s home region can be another welcome gift.

A preserved food product unique from home region can also be a good choice; preserves must be canned or bottled, however, or they will be confiscated by Australian customs.

Bear in mind that the thoughtful choice is considered more important than the actual cost of the gift.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Egypt

Make sure one gives or receives gifts with the right hand, not with the left. Using

both hands, however, is acceptable.  

If one is invited to an Egyptian home, baked goods or chocolates are good gift selections. 

Flowers were traditionally used at funerals and weddings and should be given only to very Westernized Egyptians. 

Sometimes an exquisitely made compass can be a good gift. A compass enables a devout Muslim to always know where Mecca is--even when traveling. 

Small electronic gadgets are also popular gifts.

International Gift Giving Etiquette – Pakistan

In the Muslim culture, the Koran forbids alcohol. Gifts of liquor or any product that contains alcohol, such as perfume, would never be selected to give.

Dogs are considered unclean, so any dog item, even something with a picture of a dog would not be given. And knives because they have a sharp edge – severing relationships- are not appropriate.

Artwork that consisted of sculptures, drawings or photos showing the human body, especially a nude or partially nude female body, is not acceptable as a gift.

A good gift for a devout Muslim is a compass. Each day he must face Mecca for prayers. With a compass, no matter where in the world he happens to be, he can easily find the correct direction.

Gifts are presented using the right hand, or both hands. The left hand is never used alone to hand someone a gift, as it’s considered unclean.

 Compiled on the basis of presentations by the participants during March 2012 as a part of course on International business.