Cultural Notes
Gift giving
 Visiting Chinese homes
 Drinks
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Gift Giving in Chinese Culture
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Things to avoid – 送礼禁忌(sònglǐjìnjì)
 Clocks/watches – 送钟(sòngzhōng) sounds
the same as 送终(sòngzhōng), which means to
bury a person or go to someone’s funeral.
Avoid giving clocks or watches to the elders,
especially.
 Way to around it – Ask $1 from the receiver.
??
Gift Giving in Chinese Culture
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Things to avoid –送礼禁忌(sònglǐjìnjì)
 Paper fans/扇(shàn) or umbrellas/伞(sǎn) –
both sound like散(sàn), which means to
separate.
 Towels/handkerchiefs – also means ‘separate’
and is given after a funeral meaning to
separate from the death.
Gift Giving in Chinese Culture

Things to avoid – 送礼禁忌(sònglǐjìnjì)
 Shoes/鞋子(xiézi) – are used to walk/走路
(zǒulù), which also means to get fired or laidoff in Chinese.
 Mirrors/镜子(jìngzi) – implies ugliness.
Gift Giving in Chinese Culture
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Things to avoid – 送礼禁忌(sònglǐjìnjì)
 Pears/梨(lí) – Don’t give pears to couples
because if they share a pear, it sounds 分离
(fēnlí) which means to separate.
 Scissors – means to break up (一刀两断
yìdāoliǎngduàn)
Gift Giving in Chinese Culture
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Rules of thumb when giving a gift
 You should usually bring a gift when you visit
someone’s house.
 Use red colors for happy occasions and
black/white for sympathy.
 Remove the price tag on the gift.
 The Chinese don’t usually open gifts in front
of their guests.
 In general, the gifts the Chinese give cost
more than the gifts Americans give.
Gift Giving in Chinese Culture

Rules of thumb when giving a gift
 Don’t give a gift that is too expensive because
it may imply you are showing off your money
or have special intentions. The receiver will
also worry that (s)he can’t return the favor in
equal value.
 Give a gift the receiver will like or can use;
not just something you like.
 Don’t recycle your gifts!
 Sincerity and consideration are the keys.
When visiting a Chinese home…
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Always bring a gift.
Take your shoes off when you enter the
house.
Compliment the host’s house, children,
pets, cooking, etc. The host will be very
humble; don’t take it seriously. Still offer
your compliments!
The host will usually offer drinks, snacks,
or some sweets to guests. It is okay to
eat or drink them.
Drinks

茶/Tea
 Chinese tea ceremony: emphasize tea leaf,
water, temperature, tea pot/cups, and the
environment.
 Many different types of tea including 乌龙茶，
铁观音，普洱茶，武夷岩茶, etc.
 First book dedicated tea: 唐代陆羽的《茶经》
.
Drinks

啤酒 - 青岛啤酒/Tsingtao Beer
 It was founded in 1903 by German settlers
and now claims about 15% of domestic
market share.
 The beer is produced in Qingdao in Shandong
province.
Drinks
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咖啡 - 星巴克咖啡/Starbucks Coffee
Drinks
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汽水/Soft Drink
 可口可乐/Coca Cola
 Originally translated as 蝌蝌啃蜡 – a failure.
 蒋彝教授 renamed it to可口可乐. It is
considered best translated brand name. (可口
means delicious,可乐 means happy.)
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http://www.icoke.cn/channels/news/ico_news_ps.aspx
 百事可乐/Pepsi (百事 means everything.)
 雪碧/Sprite
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矿泉水/ Mineral Water