Gift Giving Essay

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Gift Giving in Japan: Customs, Traditions and Taboos One of the Most Common Traditions in Japan is the Giving of Gifts - Understanding the Taboos Around This Custom Will Prevent Embarrassing Situations [pic] Blair Mathis, Yahoo! Contributor Network May 23, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here." • More: • Japan • Gift Giving • Taboos • • tweet • Print FlagPost a comment In Japan, it is customary to offer a gift to your host family, or to give a gift when coming to someones home for dinner or on a special occasion. Gift giving is a tradition, and it is expected. Most westerners are baffled by the intricacies of giving gifts, as it is very different from offers small gift in the US to a new neighbor. The gifts that are offered do not need to be expensive - the art is in the giving, not the gift itself. With that said, many people may feel embarrassed if offered very expensive gifts, and may feel bad about expecting them. The best gifts are the small yet meaningful ones where only the giver and the receiver will understand it's true meaning. The following are simple rules that pertain to giving gifts in Japan. If you follow them, than anything you give is sure to be well received. 1: Place the gift in a shopping bag, irregardless of whether or not it is wrapped. This will reduce the likelihood of it being noticed before the time of presenting it, and won't be ostentatious. Be sure that the gift is wrapped, however. Don't just toss it into a bag. 2: Offer the gift in private. This is important. Whipping out a gift and offering to someone in front of other people will be embarrassing, and will be rude to the other people who were not offered a gift. 3: Offer the gift with both hands. 4: Do not offer gifts in numbers of four or nine - the word for four is very similar to the word for death, and giving someone

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