Gift Giving
ADDTIONAL CONTENT
GENERAL
 |
The Chinese are natural gift-givers. In Chinese culture, a gift may be given as a symbol of gratitude and/or respect and can also be given as a gratuity, memento, or even, at times, a bribe. Unlike in Western culture, gifts are commonly exchanged in business settings and it is important for Westerners to recognize when gift-giving is expected and what kinds of gifts are appropriate. Westerners should always travel to China prepared with gifts to exchange with their Chinese counterparts. Westerners should also know that such gifts are often not opened in the presence of the gift-giver.
Business or governmental delegations visiting China are usually expected to offer some kind of gift to their Chinese hosts as a token of their appreciation. In the past, the socialist culture of China would have required that one gift be given to an entire organization that all members could share equally. In modern China, however, individual gift-giving to members of one’s receiving party has become more commonplace, with some guidelines regarding government and political figures. Generally, giving a small gift to an individual member of the Chinese government or political party officials is permissible so long as the gift is of nominal value ($25 or less). That is not to say, however, that large gifts are never presented to or solicited by such figures. Indeed, just like in many other countries, bribery and corruption are prevalent in China and to a degree part of the system of doing business.
Whether to present group or individual gifts depends very much on the context of the situation and what would (not) be proper may not always be clear. The safest approach to gift-giving in China is to present a group gift to the leader of one’s receiving party. Westerners may find individual gifts more proper once a relationship has been established or if they know in advance that individual gift exchanges are expected. To avoid embarrassment and the appearance of impropriety, expensive individual gifts should always be given to a recipient in private.
Culture Expert 