Gifts & exchanges
27 cards in this category — of which 27 complete, 0 under development.
- Open a gift immediately (Western-Asian misunderstanding)Opening a gift immediately in front of the giver is seen as impolite in Asia.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Refusing a gift 3 times (Arabic protocol)Refusing three times before accepting a gift is Arab social protocol.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Odd number of flowers (Switzerland)Giving an odd number of flowers (3, 5, 7) is a positive convention in Switzerland.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Elaborate gift wrapping (Japan)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteCuriosity
- Offering a clock (Chinese taboo)Offering a clock is a commonplace gesture in the West, but in Mandarin Chinese, the word "clock" (鐘) sounds like "accompanying to a funeral", creating a major cultural misunderstanding.CompleteOffense
- Offer a knife (slicing friendship)The gift of a knife symbolizes the break-up of a relationship. Some ask for a coin to turn the gift into a "symbolic sale".CompleteInsult
- Offer a handkerchief (tears)Offering a handkerchief symbolizes the anticipation of tears in Central Europe and Latin America.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Offering chrysanthemums (mortuary taboo - France, Italy)Chrysanthemums are reserved for funerals in France and Italy. Giving them as gifts is seen as a curse.CompleteInsult
- Offering yellow flowers (Russian taboo - death)In Russia, yellow flowers symbolize death, infidelity and separation.CompleteInsult
- Offering an even number of flowers (Slavic taboo)In Russia and Poland, an even number of flowers symbolizes a funeral.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Offering lilies (funeral taboo - France)Lilies are associated with funerals in France. Strictly taboo.CompleteInsult
- CompleteMisunderstanding
- Gifts wrapped in red (prestige - China)Red packaging symbolizes prestige and happiness in China - a positive convention.CompleteCuriosity
- White wrapping (funerary taboo - Japan, China)White packaging symbolizes death and funerals in East Asia.CompleteInsult
- Purple packaging (mourning - Brazil)Purple/purple packaging = mourning and grief in Brazil.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Writing a name in red ink (Korean taboo)Writing a name in red ink in Korea symbolizes death.CompleteInsult
- Donner un cadeau à deux hands (respect — Asie)Donner à deux hands symbolise respect et humilité en Asie.CompleteCuriosity
- Hongbao - Red wedding envelope (China)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteCuriosity
- Chukgi - Monetary wedding gift envelope (Korea)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Alcohol as a gift to a Muslim - Religious offence and halalCultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteOffense
- Parfum en cadeau - Saudi sensibility, alcohol and oud/musc choiceCultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteInsult
- Sweets for children - piñata and dulces tradition in Latin AmericaCultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Gift with 4 items - Asian Digital Taboo (4=dead)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteInsult
- Tip envelope (Persian Gulf)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteMisunderstanding
- Offering an umbrella (East Asia)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteInsult
- Offering shoes (bad luck - China)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteInsult
- Offer a pear (separation - China)Cultural taboo: gesture or object misinterpreted outside a Western context.CompleteInsult