International Gift Giving Etiquette

Anyone watch the UN speeches given by various foreign leaders this week? Ever think about Corporate gift giving to foreigners? The following is a bit of foreign corporate gift giving tips:

Appropriate Gifts in Arab Countries:

• Books


• Gifts for Children


• "Made in the USA" gifts


• Gifts for the Office

Inappropriate Gifts in Arab Countries:

• Liquor


• Logo items


• Blue and White gifts


• Gifts for Spouse


• Animal products or food as a gift for the first meeting

Appropriate Gifts in Japan

• US Brand Named items


• Scotch and Brandy


• Books


• Company products

In any Asian country, or from an Asian person, always accept a business card or a gift with both hands. Using both hands shows respect. Regarding a business card: take time to look at the business card. Do not ever stuff it in your back pocket.

Inappropriate Gifts in Japan:

• Any "Made in Japan" item


• Anything with the numbers 4 or 9


• Surprises of any type


• Humorous or Joke gifts


• Ribbons and/or Bows


• Fox, Badger or Wolf

Appropriate Gifts in the USA:

• Books


• Pen and Pencil sets


• Key Chains


• Umbrellas


• Paperweights

Inappropriate Gifts in the USA:

• Expensive items


• Red Roses to a woman


• Personal items


• Liquor to a non-drinker


• Cash

Always enclose a gift receipt with your gift and have the gift "gift wrapped" if possible.

I do not care what Peggy Post says: NEVER re-gift any gift to anyone for any reason. It is a small world, it is NOT honest and the gift never seems to be quite right....no gift receipt and wrapped by hand usually in a gift bag. No thought and no time put into the gift always comes back on the giver. The recipient always knows. In any re-gifting situation, one is taking many chances. I have a host of re-gifting horror stories to tell...in my Halloween blog post, soon!

If one has no money to spend on a personal gift for a good friend, instead of re-gifting, an appropriate, thoughtful card will always do with a kind, well thought out, beautifully written message, or for a wedding, pull a nice sterling cake knife or pretty china plate out of your sideboard in your Dining Room, wrap it up and tell the Bride it is a "family treasure" you want her to have because she is like family to you. I will also address this topic for the holiday season, soon.