Gifts
you should not give in some other cultures
What are normal gifts in your culture?
What are bad gifts? Why?
If
you give a gift to someone from another country or culture then you need to be
careful.
Here
are some superstitions and traditions about gift giving that
you need to be careful about.
No sharp objects
In some
countries giving something sharp, like a knife, is bad gift etiquette because
it implies bad luck. Or it can mean you want to break the
relationship. This is true in Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, and Egypt.
But a good-quality knife is a useful gift.
So if you tape a coin to the knife, which the giver can then
offer back to you as "payment’ then that is okay.
Don't
give empty wallets
If you give a gift of a purse or a wallet you should put some
money in it. This is a superstition of bad luck. If you are mindful of different cultural
expectations and
superstitions then you will please your friends from another country and
culture.
Some
superstitions about gift giving are found all over the world, in diverse cultures.
Some
superstitions and cultural expectations are only for an area of a country. For
example don’t give a Hindu in India a leather wallet.
Mirrors
might be spooky
In Chinese and other Asian cultures, people
think that mirrors bring negative ghosts. And therefore, giving a mirror could
make someone’s life become negative. For example, if the mirror breaks — either
before it's given or afterwards — that's seven years of bad luck!
Gloves
A beautiful pair of gloves seems like a great
Christmas gift idea. But some may take it as an omen of bad luck. The
connection between gloves and bad luck goes hundreds of years. At that time a knight put a beloved lady's
glove in their helmets.
Say no to clocks or watches
There are a lot of rules about things that tell you
the time. Some people believe that giving a watch or
clock as a gift implies that the time is finishing on a
relationship. In China, for example, clocks have an unlucky connection with death and
therefore should not be given as gifts.
Some
numbers are bad
Different numbers mean different things in
other parts of the world. The number 13 is seen as unlucky in North America. In
China, people think 4 is unlucky because it sounds similar to the word for
death. So giving a gift with a group of four would be bad. And in Japan the
number 9 sounds like the word for pain and punishment.
In
many countries such as in India , gifts of money should be given in odd numbers.
For example, $101 but not $100. In Jewish culture odd numbers are more
lucky than even ones. One exception to even numbers in
China is 18, or chai.
In China the number 18 is
lucky and gifts are often given where they can equal 18. For example 36, 72,
etc.
Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold
and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some
of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these
words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings
in the dictionary depending on how they are used.
The answers are below the table.
superstitions
|
A
|
1
|
Variety, many
differences or choices
|
etiquette
|
B
|
2
|
To believe
something can cause you bad luck
|
implies
|
C
|
3
|
scary
|
diverse
|
D
|
4
|
Something that
is a suggestion/symbol/hint of something bad that will happen
|
spooky
|
E
|
5
|
To be careful
and to think carefully about. To not act foolishly without thinking.
|
mindful
|
F
|
6
|
Different from
all others
|
exception
|
G
|
7
|
To suggest,
hint
|
omen
|
H
|
8
|
Manners,
politeness
|
A=2, B=8, C=7,
D=1, E=3, F=5, G=6, H=4
Some example sentences using the new
words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help
you understand better.
1.
People often have superstitions
because they don’t understand why something happens.
2.
In Korea it is good etiquette to give
something to somebody older with two hands. Doing this implies respect.
3.
New York is famous for
having a diversity of cultures.
4.
His eyes are cold and spooky
like a psycho killer.
5.
We need to be mindful that many people understand what we are
saying. So let’s speak quietly.
6.
Everyone must come on time
tomorrow. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
7.
These dark clouds are an omen of snow.
Some questions using the new
words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.
1.
What are some interesting superstitions
in your culture? What are the implications of these superstitions? (for
example what bad can happen?).
2.
What is good etiquette when giving a gift to
someone in your culture?
3.
What would be interesting
for you living with diverse cultures?
4.
What things do you find spooky?
5.
What should a visitor to your country be mindful of?
6.
If foreigners don’t
understand your culture should people make exceptions to important rules
in your culture? How should you teach them to know what to do and how to show
respect?
7.
What is a bad omen to you?