|
GIFT GIVING IN JAPAN*
- Gift Giving Etiquette
BUSINESS GIFT GIVING
/ PERSONAL GIFT GIVING
GENERAL
GUIDELINES
-
Gift-giving is an
important part of Japanese business protocol. Moreover, gifts are exchanged
among colleagues on July 15 and January 1 to commemorate midyear and the
year's end respectively.
-
It is a good policy
to bring an assortment of gifts for your trip. This way, if you are
unexpectedly presented with a gift, you will be able to reciprocate.
-
The emphasis in
Japanese business culture is on the ritual of gift-giving, rather than the
gift itself. For this reason, you may receive a gift that seems too modest,
or conversely, extravagant. An expensive gift will not be perceived as a
bribe.
-
A wrapped gift is
often carried inside a shopping bag to avoid ostentation and minimize any
hint that a gift is about to be presented.
-
The best time to
present a gift is toward the end of your visit. You can discreetly approach
the recipient, indicating that you have a small gift. Avoid giving a gift
early in a relationship or at any conspicuous moment.
-
A gift for an
individual should be given in private. If you are presenting a gift to a
group of people, have all of the intended recipients assembled.
-
Present gifts with
both hands.
-
It is customary to
comment that the gift you are presenting, even if it is extravagant, is
““tsumaranai mon” [“an uninteresting or dull thing”]. This statement is
meant to convey, “Our relationship is more important than this trivial
item.”
-
It is a mistake to
give the same gift to two or more Japanese of unequal rank. People will also
take offense if you are in the presence of a group of people and give a gift
to one person, but fail to give one to the others who are present.
-
Gifts are opened in
private, because if the gift turns out to be a poor choice, “loss of face”
will result. Also, if several gifts are presented to people of different
status, opening them privately prevents any possible comparisons.
-
Before accepting a
gift, it is polite to modestly refuse at least once or twice before finally
accepting.
-
Ensure that your
gifts are wrapped. It's safest to leave this task to a store or hotel
gift-wrapping service.
-
The safest
gift-wrapping choices are pastel-coloured papers, without bows. Avoid
wrapping a gift with brightly covered papers or bows.
-
If you are invited
to a Japanese home, bring flowers [an uneven number], cakes or candy.
-
If you receive a
gift, be sure to reciprocate.
-
Gifts in pairs are
considered lucky.
APPRECIATED GIFTS
-
foreign,
prestigious name-brand items
-
imported scotch,
cognac, bourbon, brandy or fine wines [top-quality brands only]
-
frozen steaks
-
gourmet foodstuffs,
fresh fruit
-
electronic toys [if
children are on your gift-list]
-
cuff links
-
pen and pencil sets
-
something that
reflects the interests and tastes of the recipient
-
a simple
commemorative photograph [i.e.,taken from a gathering that the recipient
attended]
GIFTS TO AVOID
-
Lilies, lotus
blossoms, and camellias are associated with funerals. White flowers of any
kind should be avoided. There is also a superstition that potted plants
encourage sickness.
-
Giving four or nine
of anything is considered unlucky.
-
Red Christmas cards
should be avoided, since funeral notices are customarily printed in this
colour.
*Lafayette De Mente, Boye. Japan Business
Etiquette - Gift Giving. Executive Planet. 04 Aug. 2004
<http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-culture-in/131910118585.html>. |
Above: The flag of
Japan
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