My grandma in Kyoto told me never to give a clock as a gift in China, and I thought she was just being old-fashioned until my business partner's dad got really upset last week.

So now I'm wondering if these kinds of cultural gift taboos are important to respect or if they're outdated rules that people should just get over.

3 comments

3 Comments

linda_owens224d ago

Oof, that's a tough spot to be in.

paigem7614d ago

My aunt once gave me a cactus for my birthday and I was weirdly offended, so I get it. @the_willow is right, it's a shortcut for respect. You don't have to be an expert, but a quick google search before you buy a gift for someone from a different culture is just basic manners. It's like avoiding a social pothole, saves everyone the trouble.

the_willow24d ago

Actually saw something similar happen at a friend's wedding. Her aunt gave white flowers, which is a funeral thing in their culture. It's not about being old-fashioned, it's about showing you care enough to know the basics. These rules are shortcuts for respect. Ignoring them just tells people you couldn't be bothered to learn what matters to them.