1. The most important thing about the right gift is that if you don’t know the other party’s preferences, the safe way is to choose handicrafts with national characteristics. Kites, erhu, flutes, paper-cuts, chopsticks, stamps, face masks, calligraphy and painting, and tea leaves that are common to Chinese people are often favored and their value is doubled once they are in the hands of foreign friends. Gifts are not heavy but appropriate. Sometimes giving too expensive gifts will make the recipient uneasy. 2. Gift packaging should pay attention to the way of giving gifts. It is generally better to meet face-to-face. Westerners attach great importance to the packaging of gifts when giving gifts. People in most countries are used to wrapping with colored wrapping paper and ribbons. Western European countries like to use light-colored wrapping paper. When giving a gift to a foreign friend, you should not only explain its meaning, characteristics and purpose, but also explain that it is carefully selected for the other party. Don’t add to it by saying “small meaning, I really can’t take it” and so on. This kind of humble statement will greatly reduce the weight of the gift. Unlike Chinese customs, in Western countries, you should express your gratitude immediately after receiving a gift, and open it in person. No matter how big or small the value, you should express your appreciation for the gift. 3. Gift time should be timely. Gifts should be timely. In some countries, gifts can only be returned when the other party gives gifts; in some countries (such as Japan), gifts should be given on occasions where there are not many people; while in Arab countries, other people must be present so that gifts will not be suspected of bribery. In the UK, the right time to give a gift is after dinner or a performance at the theatre. In France, you can’t give a gift to a friend you meet for the first time, you should wait until the next time you meet. Gift preferences and taboos in different countries French gift-giving: send flowers without bundling. Giving gifts in France is generally chosen at the time of reunion. The choice of gifts should express praise for the wisdom of the French host. When invited to a French family for dinner, you should send a few unbundled flowers. German gift-giving: gift-giving pays attention to packaging. In Germany, special attention should be paid to whether the gift is appropriate and beautifully packaged. Roses are for lovers and should not be given casually. Germans like to be invited for outings, but the host needs to make careful and thoughtful arrangements before departure. Dutch gift-giving: food, send less. In the Netherlands, most people are used to eating raw and cold food. Gifts should not be given, and gifts should be wrapped in paper products. When visiting a Dutch house, do not be too attentive to the hostess. When men and women go up the stairs together, the etiquette is just the opposite of that in most countries: men are in front, women are behind. British gift-giving: hate company-marked gifts. Britons pay attention to appearance. Generally, gifts are given to things that do not cost much, such as high-end chocolates, famous wine and flowers are also the favorite things of British people to receive gifts. The appropriate time to give gifts should be after dinner or after watching the play. British people generally do not appreciate gifts marked with the company’s logo. If the company gives gifts, it is best to give gifts in the name of the boss and private individuals. Arab countries give gifts: do not give gifts when meeting for the first time. Arabs do not give gifts when meeting for the first time, otherwise it will be regarded as bribery According to Arab customs, old items and wine cannot be given to people; especially gifts cannot be given to the wives of real-world friends who have business contacts. Don’t ask about their home situation. When visiting an Arab house, you must not stare at an object non-stop, so that the Arab host will definitely ask you to accept it, otherwise you will be despised in your heart. Latin American gift giving: No handkerchiefs, knives and scissors. In Latin America, knives and scissors cannot be given, otherwise it is considered the end of friendship. A handkerchief cannot be used as a gift, because it is associated with tears. Latin Americans like small household products produced in the United States, such as kitchen utensils. In Latin American countries, items with high taxes are very popular, and it is best not to give luxury goods. American gift giving: Give gifts, open them in person. Generally speaking, Americans do not give gifts casually. Some often seem a little embarrassed when they receive gifts. This is especially true if they happen to have nothing to return. But on holidays, birthdays, weddings or visits to patients, gift-giving is still inevitable. In addition, Americans believe that the singular is auspicious. Sometimes it is not thin to give only three pears, unlike the Chinese who pay attention to pairs. When Americans receive a gift, they must open it immediately, appreciate or taste the gift in front of the giver, and thank the gifter immediately. The gift packaging is more exquisite, and the appearance is exquisite and gorgeous, but the inside is not necessarily too expensive. Sometimes when you open the exquisite packaging of the inner and outer three layers, only a few chocolate candies are exposed. Russian gift-giving: Don’t give money. Russians are very particular about giving and receiving gifts. Russians are taboo about giving money to others, believing that giving money is an insult to their personality. But they love foreign products very much, and foreign sweets, cigarettes, alcohol, and clothing are all good gifts. If you send flowers, you should send single rather than double. In their opinion, even numbers are unlucky. Gifts in Japan: Gifts must be given, and they do not need to be useful. Japanese people pay attention to etiquette and have the custom of giving gifts. But generally they give items that have no use for themselves, and the recipient can transfer them. Japanese people like Chinese silk, famous wine, and traditional Chinese medicine. They also like some famous brand goods, but they are more disgusted with things with fox badger patterns, because the fox is a symbol of greed, and the badger represents cunning. When visiting ordinary people’s homes, you can only send chrysanthemums with 15 petals, and the royal badge has 16 chrysanthemums. The taboo of sending flowers to Westerners is a commonly used gift-giving method for Westerners. Westerners cannot live without flowers. When visiting relatives and friends, when they should go to a meeting by appointment, they always bring a bunch of beautiful flowers to express their blessings and gratitude. However, sending flowers is quite exquisite. If you don’t understand Westerners’ flower-giving customs and send flowers improperly, there will be misunderstandings that are difficult to eliminate. In particular, foreigners take a long time to send flowers, which has formed some taboos. Whether it is studying abroad, traveling or foreign-related business transactions, you need to communicate with foreigners. You can log in to the study abroad website (liuxue86.com) for more information. For Westerners, the number, type and color of flowers have a clear symbolic meaning. When choosing flowers, you must carefully grasp the object and occasion of the flower. In the etiquette of sending flowers in the West, there are several taboos that are the same. First, count the number of flower branches before sending flowers. If you want to make a single or not, a pair will be considered to invite bad luck. Second, you should never send chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums are used only for Halloween or funerals in any European country, as well as in Japan. It represents sadness and should not be given away. Third, you should not send yellow flowers. In France, yellow flowers symbolize the disloyalty between husband and wife; in Mexico, it means death. Fourth, you should not send white flowers, especially red and white flowers. For the British, white lilies symbolize death. Fifth, don’t give lilies of the valley to friends, because it means the end of the friendship. In addition to the above-mentioned usual flower-giving taboos, different countries have their own likes and dislikes for different flowers. The French regard carnations as ominous flowers. The French also dislike carnation flowers, believing that it will bring disaster. When visiting a Polish house, the hostess should avoid sending red roses when sending flowers, because it indicates romantic love. Similarly, when visiting a German friend, never send roses, because it indicates that you have a crush on the hostess. Some flower-giving taboos arise because the name of the flower is homophonic. In Hong Kong and Macao, China, it is forbidden to send Fuso and gladiolus when visiting patients, because “Fuso” and “mourning” are homophonic; “gladiolus” is homophonic with “seeing difficulties”, so it is a big taboo. When giving flowers to businesspeople, avoid giving jasmine and plum blossoms, because “jasmine” is homophonic with “unfavorable”; “plum” is homophonic with the unlucky “unlucky”. Giving flowers also varies depending on the age of the recipient. Generally speaking, it is appropriate to give large flowers to middle-aged people, and young people and children can choose small flowers of various colors. Before giving flowers to the owner, the outer packaging must be removed. In Europe, it is impolite to send a bunch of packaged flowers. In addition, according to Western customs, flowers are generally not suitable for taking on planes and ships. If it is a red and white flower, it is even more forbidden to take on a plane or ship, because this is seen as causing air and sea disasters. Further reading – Inventory of those interesting foreign taboos Although foreigners who violate taboos tend to be more tolerant, “doing as the Romans do” will also appear to be more respectful of this foreign land that you are interested in and have come to. Kissing at the station is warned, no pink hot pants, no drinking glasses, and no eating all the food… Which country’s rules are these? 1. No kissing at train stations – Cheshire, England has posted a “No kissing” notice at the Warrington Riverside Wharf train station in Cheshire, England, possibly to avoid causing the train to be delayed. 2. About chopsticks – Japan In Japan, chopsticks should not be inserted into the rice bowl for any reason, because the upright chopsticks in the rice bowl will remind the Japanese of tombstones. Also, if you use the chopsticks at the end of the entrance to pick up vegetables, it is also impolite to use the other end to pick up vegetables. 3. No toilet flushing after 10 o’clock – When you live in an apartment in Switzerland, flushing the toilet is prohibited after 10 o’clock in the evening. Of course, the local government believes that noise pollution is more harmful to the public interest than smell pollution. 4. No eating and drinking in public during Ramadan – UAE If you travel to the UAE during the Muslim month of Ramadan, you will be fined for any eating and drinking in public during the day during fasting time. Also, be sure to keep your hands safe. Islamic traditions affect not only the culture of the country, but also its laws. The country will not tolerate intimacy in public. In theory, an unmarried man and woman sitting alone in a car with tinted glass can cause big trouble if they are found. 5. Wear underwear when you go out – Thai law stipulates that it is illegal to leave the apartment without underwear. If a tourist is lucky “I can still see if I don’t wear underwear?”, then they should really “have a fight” with the Thai professional clairvoyant police. In addition, driving without a shirt or stepping on the local currency is also against the law. 6. Prohibit dirty cars from traveling – Moscow, Russia According to reports, dirty cars will definitely get a ticket on the road in Moscow, and the amount of the fine can be negotiated. If you come up and politely shove the traffic police $100, it will be done immediately and drive away immediately, but how many times can you wash the car for $100? 7. Prohibit the cutting of cacti – In the United States, in Arizona, it is illegal to cut cacti for no reason, and the maximum penalty is 25 years in prison. Therefore, tourists who travel there must not have the idea of bringing cacti home as a souvenir. 8. Prohibit the wearing of pink hot pants – Australia In Victoria, Australia, women are not allowed to wear pink shorts on Sunday afternoons. So, if you happen to be in Melbourne on a Sunday afternoon, then, no matter how much you love your pink hot pants, put them aside for now. 9. “Daughter Country” – A small town called Nova de Cordero in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is a famous “daughter country” in Brazil. More than 600 women live in the town, which means that the town’s big and small affairs, including legislative matters, are in the hands of women. The town invites single men from all over the world to start a family in this town, but the condition is that all men must obey women. 10. Eating all the food means you still want to eat – Cambodia Cambodia is like this: If you eat all the food on your plate, it means that the host did not treat you well because you did not have enough to eat and still want it. 11. It is forbidden to talk about the eyes of babies – Iranians are most sensitive to the eyes of babies. If the visitor is careless, the parents will pay for the “evil eye” of the baby to be gouged out. 12. Drink without clinking glasses – Hungarians do not clink glasses when toasting, because the Austrians used to clink glasses after killing 13 Hungarian martyrs. For the next 150 years, no Hungarian clink glasses when toasting. 13. Prohibition of crashing scalpers – India, Nepal, Myanmar In India, Nepal, Myanmar and other countries, scalpers are the “sacred cows” of the gods. The “sacred cows” approach and should serve the best food. If you encounter the “sacred cows” on the road or in the busy city, pedestrians or vehicles should avoid or detour. The Nepalese government also designates scalpers as “national beasts”. Anyone who hurts or whips it will be fined and sentenced. 14. Avoid sending even-numbered flowers – Ukraine In Ukraine, if you plan to send flowers, make sure that the bouquet is an odd number, because even-numbered bouquets are for funerals. If you are sending flowers to your hostess, or to celebrate birthdays or other special holidays, do not send yellow flowers or Easter lilies, because these flowers are only for funerals. 15. Avoid adding salt to food – Egypt Although Egyptians are very hospitable, their cooking has some gentle egos. When traveling in Egypt, do not add salt to your bowl, as this is seen as an insult to the chef. Fortunately, Egyptian food is still delicious due to the fact that Egyptians often use garlic, onions, and other fragrances when cooking. 16. Shorts and sleeveless tops are prohibited when going to church – Italy If you plan to visit a church in Italy in a warm climate, don’t just bring shorts and sleeveless tops when you leave. Visitors to the Catholic Cathedral of the Italian Church must dress with caution. Both men and women are not allowed to wear shorts and sleeveless tops. 17. Don’t “V” – When the British make the “V” gesture in Great Britain, don’t turn your palm inward, because it is considered provocative or insulting. It is said that the two-finger salute originated in the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. The French threatened to cut off all British archery fingers, and in the end the British won, so it is intact to show off your fingers. 18. No Parking on Highways – If it is said that driving on highways in Germany is safer and more enjoyable, then the legal provisions related to highways will make you walk on thin ice and unable to let go. Because, if you are driving on the highway, it is also illegal to run out of gas halfway. Suppose you find a gap in the middle of the driveway to drag the car, hoping to find some gasoline, but it is also illegal to walk on the highway… 19. No Chewing Gum – Singapore In Singapore, you can be punished for chewing gum, feeding birds in the square, spitting, and not flushing the toilet. The above regulations are derived from the government’s consideration of maintaining national cleanliness. The only exception is nicotine quit chewing gum, but it must be purchased from a pharmacy with a prescription. 20. Prohibit feeding pigeons – In many idol dramas in Italy, the picture of the male and female protagonists holding hands to feed pigeons is really romantic and heartwarming, but Italian law expressly stipulates that “feeding pigeons is not allowed.” If you don’t comply, you may face a fine of up to $600. 21. Prohibit paying in full coins – Canada Canada’s Currency Act of 1985 sets out regulations on the use of coins, which also includes a reasonable range of how many coins to pay with. For example, items worth $10 are not allowed to be purchased in full coins. Items over $20 are also not allowed to be purchased in full coins. Of course, if the seller does not care about the number of coins, he can buy things like this. Of course, he can also refuse you in accordance with the law. 22. No mince pies at Christmas – In the UK, the law states that mince pies are not allowed at Christmas. This became law during the time of Oliver Cromwell (17th century). But apparently, today, even the British themselves “try the law” every holiday, and the ban on mince pies at Christmas has been voted “the most bizarre law in England”.