During the Spring Festival people do exchange gifts like Christmas in the West. But, there are some things that you shouldn’t give as a gift to your Chinese Friends. It is important for us to learn to give the right presents in the appropriate ways.
Things in black or white: Red is the lucky color in China. As black and white are often used at funerals, white or black presents and wrapping paper should be avoided. White is definitely not a happy color in China. In fact, it symbolizes death or mourning, which is also why Chinese brides do not wear white.
A green hat: Wearing a green hat means one’s wife is unfaithful. So a green hat should be avoided.
A Clock: Don’t give Chinese people a clock as a gift because the Chinese pronunciation of the word "clock"shares the same phonetic sound of the word "end" or "death".
Necklaces: Don’t give a necklace as a gift to a platonic friend. These things are often given by boyfriends/girlfriends or couples. Chinese people think things like necklaces, ties, and belts are associated with intimate relations. Sending things like these means you mean to build a close relationship.
How you give a gift also makes a great deal of difference in China and here are some few ideas what to give on the festival:
Red Envelopes
The most popular gifts are red envelopes. Red envelopes have money in, and are given to children and (retired) seniors. It is not a custom to give red envelopes to (working) adults.
If you are giving a red envelope, there are a few points to remember. The money inside a red envelope should always be new and crisp. Coins and checks are avoided, the former because change is not worth much and the latter because checks are not widely used in Asia. And unlike a Western greeting card, red envelopes given at Chinese New Year are typically left unsigned.
Due to hectic schedule, some people don’t have much time to visit their family or friends during the festival so; they end up looking for alternative ways on how to stay closer to their family or friends. Like, sending cell phone messages has become the main way to greet people on Chinese New Year's Eve or calling each other to express their good wishes. And also by, sending personalized greeting cards. Long or short, these messages are filled with warmth and good wishes.
When you give a gift to a Chinese don’t be surprised if your offer is declined, because it is expected that the person who is getting the present should “decline” your offer two or three times before he/she finally accepts your gift, and it is also expected that you should continue to offer your present until this person accepts it. This ritual “give-and-take” shows that the person to whom the present is given is very polite and not greedy. Chinese also use both hands to give or receive presents to show their mutual respect and they don’t opens the gift right after he/she gets it.
No comments:
Post a Comment