Comments on: Wise Men and Wise Women in Business Come With Humility and Bearing Gifts

By: Ashley Tyra

Ashley Tyra — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:20:20 +0000

I didn’t know how important gift giving is in China. I will have to think of a creative and unique idea. I will probably end up bring wrapping paper, just in case we have to unwrap the present for the flight.

The importance of the gift itself and the wrapping is mentioned, but what about the actual presenting of the gift – is the formality and proper etiquette as strict as Japanese gift giving? I know in Japan the angle of the bow represents the amount of respect being shown – is there an equivalent gesture in Chinese culture? Also, an American custom is to top a gift with a big bow, I wonder if this is something we should incorporate into our wrapping.

By: Fred S.

Fred S. — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:47:51 +0000

I had no idea that gift giving was so important in China. Good to know. What shall I bring, hmmm…

Maybe wine in China was not as popular back in 2008, but from what I have heard in the wine industry today is that its popularity has been rising quite significantly. In fact, it is the fastest growing wine market in the world. It is also posed to become one of the top 10 wine producers in the world. The growing popularity of wine in China is likely due to its growing middle class. See this Wall Street Journal article… http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704207504575130192071419922.html

A safer bet, however, may be Cognac. Many Cognac suppliers have reported sales growth up to 37%, largely due to rising Chinese demand. It is a growing status symbol in China and a popular gift among businessmen. http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/02/21/the-thing-with-cognac-in-china/?KEYWORDS=china+wine

By: Keith Cody

Keith Cody — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:56:36 +0000

I like Omar suggestion of giving $2 bills. I may copy it. If I can figure out a way to present them. To me, just handing out money seems wrong.

I thought I should mention that you should never ever give a clock as a gift in China! The reason you don’t give a clock is because the phrase ‘send clock’ (sòng-zhōng 送钟) in Mandarin sounds the sames as “bury a parent”. (sòng-zhōng 送终) and “attending your funeral” Listen to it here.

Also, the word for “book” (shu 書) and the word for lose (shu 輸) sound the same, so despite what is mentioned above, you should not give books as gifts either. Listen to it.

On the same note, don’t give gifts in groups of four, the number 4 sounds the same as the word death. Listen to it here.

The Lonely Planet has more tips: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/travel-tips-and-articles/1252

By: Jeffrey Brown

Jeffrey Brown — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:01:24 +0000

The Apple Farm also has some good local products in their store. I have seen many picture books but also ornaments, coasters, jewelry, etc. Gift giving is the least we can do for the knowledge and connections we will gain from this trip. It is good that we are making this connection and “practicing” this now before any of us are involved in real business transactions with the Chinese. The ritual definitely would mean something else in America (i.e. bribery) but I would think that there are certain things Chinese would similarly scrutinize in American culture (such as being much more limited in negotiation at retail stores).

By: Charles Dornbush

Charles Dornbush — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:50:09 +0000

I had not thought much about the gift-giving process in China. I was aware of the custom but unaware of how difficult it has become to bring something unique and impressive. This will be a challenge Spring Quarter in our teams. Finding something that not only is distinctly American but also something they have not seen will be difficult. It seems like the perfect gift will represent us either through our school or area. I went to Hearst Castle for the first time yesterday and maybe a picture book of the castle would be a good gift…

By: Georgia

Georgia — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:01:15 +0000

I am glad we live in such an interesting place to gather gifts from. I feel that after reading this blog and some of the comments I will be able to pick out suitable gifts (hopefully). I like that there is an emphasis on the gift being personal instead of expensive. I think that I will bring wrapping paper separate just to error on the safe side. As my go to gift is usually wine, it is nice to know that I won’t have to worry about lugging that in my bag. I am glad that we are engaging in the gift giving tradition and reading about how to do it right. This small ritual illuminates the fact that Americans few rituals anymore, which is sad. I feel that when gifts are given between American businessmen it is more a show of power than an extension of friendliness.

By: Grant

Grant — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:25:21 +0000

It sounds like a fun part of the trip, both searching out the gifts and giving it, especially if it is connected to our home, which we can use as an opportunity to share about ourselves and family, and ask about theirs. To find something made in the USA is becoming harder and harder to do, which I guess, adds to its value as a gift. I imagine for a frequent traveler, however, it probably starts to get old, always feeling that you have to search out for that perfect gift. The article mentioned that was the case for Chinese Americans who go back often. But for our purposes, at least on this trip, it will be fun.

By: Daniel Fleek

Daniel Fleek — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:49:29 +0000

I think gift giving is a great way to say thank you for having us in your country. I thought it was interesting that the gift wrapping was critical when giving a gift in China and I would have probably been a victim of insensitive wrapping. I think some good gifts for Chinese men would be popular jerseys or hats of US sports teams like the Lakers or Yankees. For women, I would say cosmetics and dietary supplements would probably be a good gift which can probably be found at Costco. However, I will ask my dad who travels to China for business what he thinks. I thought it was funny that the gifts we give should be made in USA even though more than half the stuff we find at the stores is made in China. I guess this shows that products that are made in the USA are seen to be authentic and high quality in countries like China.

By: Vladimir

Vladimir — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:48:31 +0000

Thanks for providing guidelines for gift giving in China. If I didn’t read them I would have surely committed a blunder by wrapping my gift in blue paper. Does the color of the gift itself matter as well? I noticed that used clothing is a no-no, but how about a used collectible that is in excellent condition? I have a 1996 Atlanta Olympic silver dollar inside a case. I prefer to give something they wouldn’t normally receive. I remember seeing a TV commercial years ago that said to use both hands when giving gifts in China. I read that the gift is considered an extension of the person and presenting it with both hands is a sign of respect. There’s more emphasis in the US on what the gift is and how expensive it is than on its presentation. This reflects a difference between the symbolism of giving and on the gift itself.

By: Kevin K.

Kevin K. — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:42:16 +0000

According to the Los Angeles Times, not even a UCLA anthropology professor knows exactly what to bring as a gift to the Chinese — especially since they make just about everything on their own shores. Before reading this blog post I really didn’t think about the importance of bringing a gift to people you are visiting; usually we think more about bringing gifts (both for ourselves and for friends and family). When we get into teams, we will certainly have to think about getting a unique present; something that is not just novel, but indicative of who we are and where we come from.