The art of giving to Chinese

Understanding cultural differences is essential when giving presents

A man playing the role of the God of Fortunes gives out 'red envelopes' to visitors in Hong Kong, on Feb 23, the fifth day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Don't:

1. Avoid sending gifts pronounced like something that is not auspicious: Chinese people avoid giving each other clocks or watches as gifts because the phrase "give a clock as a gift" is song zhong, which in Mandarin sounds like you are "wishing someone death."

· Don't send anything in sets of four. "Four" is seen as an unlucky number because it sounds like "death".

· "Pear" sounds the same as "leave", which is not auspicious.

2. Pay special attention to colors: In China, white represents great sorrow and poverty. Black is the color of calamity, grief and mourning.

· Never give white chrysanthemums, or any white flowers, as they are traditionally used for funerals.

· Don't send a green hat to your friend, especially to a man. If a man is "wearing a green hat", it means his wife is cheating on him.

3. Show respect for customs and religions: If you send a gift to people from ethnic groups, pay special attention to their customs. Don't send pork or anything related to pigs if your friend is a Hui (a minority group in China, who mostly follow Islam).

4. Gifts that may have a "hidden meaning": Do not give knives or scissors as they symbolize breaking a relationship. Nor should you send medicine to healthy people or undergarments to friends of the opposite sex.

5. Choose gifts within an appropriate price range: Don't give costly gifts, especially in the workplace. It may be considered a bribe or indicate you want something equally expensive in return.

Do:

1.Send gifts in even numbers. Chinese people tend to believe that "good things come in pairs", so when you prepare gifts for friends, pair them, if possible. For example, two bottles of wine is obviously better than one, not just to enjoy but symbolically. But again remember to avoid the number four, which is pronounced the same as death in Chinese.

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