![\"gift-giving\"](\"http:\/\/momolation.files.wordpress.com\/2014\/02\/gift-giving.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/em>\nWhat do you think about when you choose a gift for a friend? \u00a0Perhaps, something meaningful to them? \u00a0A gift for a Japanese colleague in the office? \u00a0What if you are choosing a gift for someone you have never met – you could be choosing something for your business partner in Japan before leaving for a meeting with them. \u00a0All of a sudden, you\u2019re struck by a question \u2013 \u201cI wonder if there are cultural differences in gift giving\u2026?\u201d<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>I list here 15 things that should be avoided as a gift in Japan. \u00a0Having said that, I am not trying to teach you or preach to you that you must do this or you will offend Japanese people\u2019s feelings. \u00a0What\u2019s most important is that it\u2019s the thought that counts after all, so please relax and enjoy this introduction to Japanese culture.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>I think, usually, people have a margin for foreign friends for making cultural errors. \u00a0I mean, people are more tolerant and understanding towards foreigners when it comes to ignorance of their customs, in general \u2013 \u201cbecause they\u2019re only visiting the country, they just can\u2019t necessarily know these things.\u201d<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>Vice versa, if you knew these things, the Japanese recipients would appreciate your consideration all the more, and it proves your respect towards the recipient\u2019s culture. \u00a0It would almost promise the successful communication afterwards, wouldn\u2019t it?<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>Knowing these 15 things to avoid can come in handy when you do come across such occasions, as you\u2019ll know the answers already so nobody needs to panic \u2013 you\u2019ll be ready to pick appropriate presents or enlighten people who need a piece of advice on this subject.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>What you should NOT give as a gift.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>Japanese custom and tradition are deeply seated in the influence of Shinto philosophy, whether they consciously acknowledge this or not. \u00a0Although I wrote down Japanese gift giving taboos, there are some that are similar to Chinese, simply because they are to do with the sound coming from Chinese characters.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>For Celebrations \u2013 in general<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>1. Tea \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? – It is not recommended to choose tea as a gift for most celebrations, because gift wrapped tea is often used as a return gift for funerals or wakes in Japan<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>2. Handkerchiefs \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? – In Chinese characters, it writes\u624b\u5e03 and is read \u201ctegire\u201d[such as \u2018tay-ghee-ray\u2019] and its homonym is \u624b\u5207\u308c which means to sever a connection or relationship and it is easily and naturally associated with alimony or severance pay. \u00a0There was a scene in an old film in which I saw that a man (or woman? I can\u2019t remember) hand a handkerchief to his girlfriend as a message of \u2018goodbye\u2019\u2026!<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>3. Comb \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? – Comb in Japanese is \u201cKushi,\u201d and the sound of \u2018ku\u2019 is the same as \u82e6 (=suffering) and \u2018shi\u2019 is the same as \u6b7b (=death), which is obviously not celebratory and it isn\u2019t appropriate at all. \u00a0Also, combs and hairbrushes are for hair and a lot of people (especially women) may not feel comfortable sharing them with other people, as there is a superstitious reason that the owners bad luck will be passed on to the borrower.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>4. Chrysanthemum \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Chrysanthemum is commonly seen at funerals and there are many people who associate it with sad occasions. \u00a0That being said, there are Chrysanthemum Festivals which are popular, hence it is not always necessarily associated with funerals, so I would say it depends on how the recipient feels \u2013 personally I wouldn\u2019t risk it.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>5. Clock \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Not so much in Japan, but more significant in China, a clock suggests a \u2018time limit\u2019 and you don\u2019t want that when you wish for a long lasting relationship such as business partnership or friendship.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>For Get-Well Gift<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>6. Potted Plants \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 pot plants are rooted, in Japanese they are \u201dnetsuku\u201d [as in \u2018neh-tsu-koo\u2019] and \u00a0in Chinese characters it is written as\u6839\u4ed8\u304f, and its homonym \u5bdd\u4ed8\u304f means \u201cbed-ridden\u201d \u2013 obviously you don\u2019t want to give such a message to the person you hope recovers.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>7. Camellia, Poppy or Cyclamen \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 A flower of Camellia drapes or drops, and it connotes a head dropping; poppy blossoms are easy to break and scatter which provokes a negative image of a person falling apart; for Cyclamen, it is called \u2018shikuramen\u2019 (\u30b7\u30af\u30e9\u30e1\u30f3) in Japanese and the first syllable of \u2018shi\u2019 (\u30b7\uff1d\u6b7b) [as in \u2018she\u2019] \u2013 once again \u2013 is associated with \u2018death\u2019 and \u2018ku\u2019 (\u30af\uff1d\u82e6) [as in \u2018koo\u2019] \u2013 once again \u2013 is associated with \u2018suffering.\u2019<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>8. Non-Consumable Gifts \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 As the person you are visiting recovers and recuperates, you hope and wish that their illness will have exhausted, and not remain in the body of the person. \u00a0Therefore it is believed to be good to select things that can be used up or eaten up itself whilst in hospital, such as soap, fruit, tea or coffee etc.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>For Celebrating Wedding<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>9. Scissors or Knives \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Scissors or knives signify cutting \u2013 for example, \u201ccut the ties,\u201d whereas matrimony or a wedding symbolises unity between two people and two families, so it is considered inappropriate to give a tool to cut as a gift for that occasion.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>10. China\/Stoneware \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 China, porcelain, stoneware, glassware\u2026 they connote \u2018breaking.\u2019 \u00a0Therefore, it is not considered ideal to choose as a gift, like scissors and knives. \u00a0Quite obvious, when you come to think of it, isn\u2019t it?<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>11. Mirror \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Again, the reason is similar to china\/stoneware \u2013 it \u2018breaks\u2019 and \u2018cracks.\u2019 \u00a0However, I would like to add a detail reason which is specific to mirrors. \u00a0It is often associated with the spiritual world or the other side of the world, so some people associate mirrors with souls or spirits. \u00a0For example, it is considered unlucky to set a mirror facing your body in bed as if the mirror steals your soul from your body.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>For Housewarming<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>12. Lighter or Ash Tray \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Lighters and ash trays are considered inappropriate as a gift for new home because it is associated with \u2018fire.\u2019 \u00a0 Things that may convey the meaning of \u2018fire,\u2019 \u2018smoke\u2019 and \u2018tip (lean)\u2019 \u2013 negative connotations in this context.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>For People in a Senior Position or Older than you<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>13. Shoes or Boots \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Shoes or boots are for the feet and therefore they are associated with the idea of \u2018stomping\u2019 and giving such things as a gift may be construed as \u201cI am stomping over you (soon),\u201d which is not a good message to send your bosses…<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>14. Belt \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Giving your boss or someone who is high up in the hierarchy a belt may be construed as a message from you meaning \u201chey boss, you need to tighten up (you look flabby).\u201d<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>15. Pens \u00a0 \u00a0 Why? \u2013 Pens are typically chosen as a gift from a teacher to their students or from someone senior to their junior in Japan, therefore, if you do that the other way around it could be considered rude or even condescending.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>Numbers: Good and Bad<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>3, 5 and 7 are generally considered good numbers specially for wedding in Japan, at weddings, a congratulatory gift of money is usually given and giving even numbers is considered bad luck, as they can be easily \u2018divided.\u2019 So, for example 30,000 yen (approx. 200 pound) – i.e. three 10,000 yen notes (ideally new notes for a brand-new start) – for a single person and 50,000 (approx. 300 pound) yen \u2013 five 10,000 yen notes – for a couple that are invited are largely accepted.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>8 \u2013 In Chinese character, eight is \u516b and the shape signifies (top to bottom) success, prosperity or wealth, as things that start narrow gradually broaden.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>
\n4 and 9 \u2013 The number 4 can be read in two ways as \u2018yon\u2019 and \u2018shi\u2019 in Japanese. \u00a0Also the number 9 can be read in two ways as \u2018kyu\u2019 and \u2018ku.\u2019 \u00a0And then, as I mentioned a couple of times before, in Japanese the syllable of \u2018shi\u2019 (\u3057\uff1d\u6b7b) \u2013 has the same phonetic sound as \u2018death\u2019 and \u2018ku\u2019 (\u304f\uff1d\u82e6) \u2013 is likewise the same sound as \u2018suffering.\u2019 \u00a0These sounds convey quite a negative and unfortunate meaning. \u00a0Oddly enough, for this very reason, many hospitals avoid using these numbers for patients\u2019 room numbers or floor numbers i.e. there would be room number 101,102 and 103, but after 103, there wouldn\u2019t be 104 but the next number would be 105 instead.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0 What do you think about when you choose a gift for a friend? \u00a0Perhaps, something meaningful to them? \u00a0A gift\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1053,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9],"tags":[580,520,952,951,684],"class_list":["post-113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","tag-culture","tag-interpreter","tag-japanese-culture","tag-japanese-interpreter","tag-london"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/gift-giving.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbLWmG-1P","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2759,"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113\/revisions\/2759"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rie.london\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}