Gifts for the Chinese?
Apr 27th, 2007, 06:08 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Something gourmet food item that they might enjoy...jams, mustards, condiments. Small sizes pack well. Wrap them in bubble wrap and then in a ziplock.
Something with your hometown or nearby famous city's name on it...pencils, coasters, t-shirts, keychains...
Something with your hometown or nearby famous city's name on it...pencils, coasters, t-shirts, keychains...
Apr 29th, 2007, 06:03 PM
#8
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry marymai but I wouldn't give calendars as gifts in Asia. Calendars are freebies handed out by many businesses (even small ones), you'll find that most people get given them.
I don't encourage it but cigarettes are popular, alcohol too. I know the Chinese living here would cart back sheepskins and jars of lanolin for their relatives.
I don't encourage it but cigarettes are popular, alcohol too. I know the Chinese living here would cart back sheepskins and jars of lanolin for their relatives.
Apr 29th, 2007, 08:36 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree with Cilla. One shouldn't present anything that depicts timeline - calendar, especially clocks or watches. For the Chinese, receiving these signify "your days are numbered" or "time's up".
The Chinese appreciate chocolate, gourmet coffee, brandy, whisky, wine and cigars.
The Chinese appreciate chocolate, gourmet coffee, brandy, whisky, wine and cigars.
Apr 30th, 2007, 05:57 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many gifts a Westerner would think as being apt and thoughtful are not so well received in China. Name brand products of any kind are generally work best. Cigarettes, cognac, lancome lipstick, a Boss tie, etc. These products cost as much as double the LIST price in the West, so are very much appreciated.
Apr 30th, 2007, 07:11 PM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmm, interesting suggestions. Only Boss ties and Lancome lipstick or any major "brand"? Seems to be disagreement about chocolates. That might be messy in the hot summertime.
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 1st, 2007, 08:45 AM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with KimJapan. My Chinese friends and co-workers love it when I bring them something unique from my home town, especially t-shirts/caps with the baseball team logo or a local food favorite they can't get in China. They reciprocate by bringing me moon cakes, silk lanterns and crafts that would be hard to find (or more expensive) here.
May 1st, 2007, 08:59 AM
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will take advantage of this thread to say that in 25 days i too will be in China. I live in Mexico so I purchased "sombrero" keychains and also am taking a pile of yellow, size small t-shirts with the logo of my restuarant. Seems this should be okay, no?
May 1st, 2007, 09:00 AM
#16
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Upscale department store brand chocolates, e.g., Harrods if you live in London or Saks Fifth Ave if you live in the US.
NEVER give clocks, it rhymes with "going to the funeral" in Chinese!
NEVER give clocks, it rhymes with "going to the funeral" in Chinese!
May 1st, 2007, 06:22 PM
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting ideas, thanks!!
I thought the word for clock sounds the same in chinese as the word for death. So it's like wishing them death. Not good. Also no knives, like cutting your relationship.
I thought the word for clock sounds the same in chinese as the word for death. So it's like wishing them death. Not good. Also no knives, like cutting your relationship.
May 8th, 2007, 05:16 AM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another thing you could probably get at the duty free store are cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes. Make sure they are soft packs though (not box!). These will certainly be appreciated whether your friends smoke or not.
May 8th, 2007, 01:56 PM
#20
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd suggest that the best type of gift depends on where you are going in China and to whom you are giving them.
As a tourist traveling in the big cities I tipped in currency and if someone remarked on an item of clothing or other article I had I considered gifting it to them. As a rule I found that the average Chinese person loves anything Western (from the West), so any gift that explicitly says the West (as a Dodger's t-shirt) or implicitly says it came from the West is very appreciated.
I also spent 4 weeks traveling outside of the tourist areas, in some cases literally into areas where we were the first Westerners the people had ever seen. In these areas ANYTHING was appreciated. We brought gifts of simple toys for the kids, and for the adults toiletries, toothbrushes, watches, etc. They loved everything, and I have never seen anyone more truly appreciative than were these rural Chinese.
As a tourist traveling in the big cities I tipped in currency and if someone remarked on an item of clothing or other article I had I considered gifting it to them. As a rule I found that the average Chinese person loves anything Western (from the West), so any gift that explicitly says the West (as a Dodger's t-shirt) or implicitly says it came from the West is very appreciated.
I also spent 4 weeks traveling outside of the tourist areas, in some cases literally into areas where we were the first Westerners the people had ever seen. In these areas ANYTHING was appreciated. We brought gifts of simple toys for the kids, and for the adults toiletries, toothbrushes, watches, etc. They loved everything, and I have never seen anyone more truly appreciative than were these rural Chinese.
