|
GIFT GIVING IN PORTUGAL*
- Gift Giving Etiquette
BUSINESS GIFT GIVING /
PERSONAL GIFT GIVING
-
It is common to
give a gift to a prospective business partner or customer. You will offend
if you reject a gift offered to you or, say, make it clear it will be
distributed to staff. These gifts are intended to be a personal gesture and
mark of respect and not a bribe.
-
Gifts received
should be unwrapped and shown on receipt.
-
Gifts from your own
country or region are especially appreciated.
-
Quite expensive
gifts--a good fountain pen or a piece of porcelain, for example--can be
acceptable if that is really appropriate in the business situation and to
the status of the person involved.
-
Suppliers will
usually distribute gifts, sometimes quite lavish ones, to customers at
Christmas time [this is an almost entirely Christian/non-religious culture].
-
Spirits [especially
whisky] are acceptable but, usually, avoid wine because the Portuguese
believe their wine is better than anyone else's [it is pretty good].
-
Personal dress
items such as a tie, scarf or scent are appreciated [although choosing the
right scent for women can be very difficult].
-
If you know your
contact has children, then gifts for them rather than [or as well as] your
contact are often very successful, as long as you get the age range about
right. There is less likely to be the same depth of sensitivity about the
kind of present as in, say, the US.
-
Your own company
branded gifts can be useful but you need to assess whether they will
actually be used and their perceived value [e.g. a bunch of cheap pens may
not be very effective as a presentation gift]. People here do not generally
'flag wave' for their company or country as much as in other cultures.
-
Appropriate coffee
table books are often given and received.
-
You may not be
given a gift in return on the same occasion.
-
Business contacts
are not often invited home but if you are, take some flowers or chocolate,
not wine. Gifts for any children are very welcome, especially as you are
likely to be introduced to them.
-
Thanking for a gift
is usually done verbally but a written note, while not necessary, is always
appreciated.
*Bennett, Clyde Vegas. Argentina Business
Etiquette - Gift Giving. Executive Planet. 10 Aug. 2004
<http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-culture-in/137622708890.html>. |
Above: The flag of Portugal
Global Gift Guide
--- Gifts we recommend ---
Limoges Style Globe Box
click here for
more...
Chocolate Globes
click here for more...
Lapis Globe Bookends
click here for more...
World Cube Paperweight
click here for more... |
