Cultural Notes

Gift giving Visiting Chinese homes Drinks

Gift Giving in Chinese Culture 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.

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Gift Giving in Chinese Culture 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 laid-off in Chinese.

Mirrors/ 镜子 (jìngzi) – implies ugliness.

Gift Giving in Chinese Culture 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 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…

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 咖啡 - 星巴克咖啡 /Starbucks

Coffee

Drinks 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.)

http://www.icoke.cn/channels/news/ico_news_ps.aspx

百事可乐 /Pepsi ( 百事 means everything.) 雪碧 /Sprite

矿泉水 / Mineral Water