China Gift Giving Customs
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 Flag of China Officially the People's Republic of China.
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[edit] Other Public Holidays in China
- New Year's Day - January 1
- Chinese New Year - 1st day of 1st lunar month
- Labor Day - May 1
- Dragon Boat Festival - April 4th or April 5th
- Mid-Autumn Festival - 15th day of 8th lunar month
When scheduling your appointments, be sensitive to holidays. Some businesses may close from several days to up to a week for May Day or National Day.
[edit] Business Gift Giving Etiquette
- Gift giving used to be part of Chinese business protocol. Currently giving business gifts is considered bribery, an illegal act in this country. As a result, business gifts may be declined. This culture is beginning to relax, though, it is best to use discretion when giving business gifts.
Chinese Business Card Etiquette
- The Chinese are very enthusiastic about exchanging business cards, so be sure to bring a plentiful supply. Be sure that one side is in English and the other is in Chinese, preferably in the local dialect.
- If your company has a prestigious distinction, such as the oldest or largest in your country, be sure that this is stated on your card.
- Gold is the color of prestige and prosperity. It's an advantage to have your business cards printed in gold ink.
- Use both hands when presenting business cards and be sure the writing faces the person to whom you are presenting your card. Cards should also be received with both hands.
- When receiving a business card, make a show of examining it carefully for a few moments before putting it away. Never put the newly received card into your back pocket.
Chinese Business Culture
- In Chinese business culture [1], a person's reputation and social standing rests on concept of “Saving Face”. This is an important concept to understand, and refers to preserving one's dignity and honor.
- Keep a detailed list of the gifts that you have presented and the names of recipients. Duplicating gifts shows a lack of thoughtfulness.
- Keep a list of gifts you have received. This is very helpful when preparing thank you letters, and it is an excellent way to evaluate relationships.
- Unless it's a symbolic event, don't photograph the event of giving a gift.
- The Chinese will not directly say “no” to you. Instead, ambivalent answers such as “perhaps”, “I'm not sure”, “I'll think about it”, or “We'll see” usually mean “no.”
- If negotiations are involved, gifts should be presented once they are finished.
- Be patient, show little emotion, and calmly accept that delays will occur. Do not mention deadlines.
- The most acceptable gift is a banquet.
- Tipping is considered insulting, however the practice is becoming more common.
[edit] Personal Gift Giving Etiquette
- Gifts are customary at Chinese New Year, weddings, and births. Influences from marketing and other cultures are now beginning to extend gift giving to birthdays.
- At Chinese New Year, money may be given in a red envelope. It must be an even amount, using an even number of new bills. [2] Traditionally, the red envelope should not be opened until Chinese New Year is over, or bad luck will follow.
- The Chinese gift custom is to refuse a gift three times before it is accepted. It is customary to continue to insist that they accept the gift. If you are the recipient of a gift, you should also refuse the gift three times before accepting it.
- Red is considered a lucky color in China. Plain red wrapping paper is considered one of the few safe choices. Gold, silver and pink are also suitable wrapping paper colors. Other colors have a variety of meanings in Chinese culture, many of which are negative. Specifically, white, blue or black paper should be avoided. Regional variations do exist.
- Gifts are usually not opened in front of the gift giver.
- Gifts should be given to the recipient with two hands.
- You should avoid giving gifts of knives, scissors or other sharp objects. These can be seen as symbol of severing of the relationship.
- Four is an unlucky number and you should avoid giving gifts in groups of four.
- Eight is considered a lucky number, so giving gifts in groups of eight is said to bring luck to the recipient.
- Six is considered a blessing for smoothness and problem free advances.
- 88 and 168 are both Chinese lucky numbers, and good amounts for the total of money gifts.
[edit] Gifts to Avoid
- A Green Hat. If a man wears a green hat it indicates his wife has been unfaithful to him.
- Sharp objects like knives or scissors.
These gifts are associated with death and should not be given:
- Clocks, straw sandals, a stork or crane, handkerchiefs.
- Chrysanthemums
- Anything white, blue or black.
- The number 4 or four of anything.
[edit] Related Items
- Chinese Holidays
- International Gift Customs
- How to Avoid Controversial or Inappropriate Gifts
- Etiquette for Office / Business Gift Giving
