Business Culture

China/Taiwan

Tips for gift giving

Gift giving is a cultural must. There is Chinese words say “ there is nothing wrong with too many giving gifts.”

Gifts show friendship, or appreciation for a favor done; they can symbolize hopes for good future business, the successful conclusion of an endeavour, or place the recipient in a position requiring a return favor.

1.      Gifts are not expected on the first visit, but they can be given if you feel that the beginnings of a relationship have been established.

2.      Suitable gifts for a first meeting are inexpensive items with a company logo, like nice pens, calendars, or base ball caps.

3.      The following items should be prevent as a gifts for Chinese:

Green-caps: it implies that the wearer’s wife or girlfriend has been unfaithful.

Any cutting gifts like knives and scissors: for they symbolize the cutting of a relationship.

Clocks: it symbolizes termination of time or death.

4.      Make sure that your forgin gift was not made in Taiwan.

5.      Wrap gifts you give in a auspicious and traditional colors of gold or red.

6.      The usually gift for weddings is money. Make sure the money is placed in red envelopes (hung bao). Be sure use new and clean, crisp bills.

7.      The amount of money you give will differ based on your relationship with the recipient, never give less that NT$600. Usually NT$2000 to NT$3000 is appropriate.

8.      For the wedding money gifts, do not give odd-numbered amount. Usually NT$1200 or NT$2400 will be appropriate. Ask your some Chinese friend before you go attending the wedding.

9.      For funerals, money is given as well, but in smaller amounts. Further, the money should be placed in white envelopes. Use amount in odd numbers (the opposite of weddings), for example NT$1000 or NT$1100.