Gift Giving Etiquette

At Chinese New Year, weddings, births, and funerals, gifts are exchanged. Taiwanese people enjoy food, thus a lovely food basket or a bottle of fine liquor are common gifts. A gift may be politely declined the first time it is presented. Try to extend the gift once more, but never press the matter. Give scissors, knives, or any other cutting tools sparingly because doing so is a sign that you wish to end the connection.

Clocks, hankies, and straw sandals should never be given as gifts because they are connected to funerals and passing away. Chrysanthemums and white flowers shouldn't be given because they represent death. Don't use white, blue, or black paper to wrap presents. Yellow, pink, and red are seen as lucky colors.

Gifts must be wrapped elaborately. Giving an odd number of presents is not advised because they are seen to be unlucky. Four is a bad number as well. Give no more than four of anything. The luckiest number is eight. Giving anything in multiples of eight is lucky for the recipient. Anything created in Taiwan should not be given. Use both hands to distribute gifts. When received, gifts are not always opened Gifts are typically returned. Give modest gifts unless you are compensating for a costly gift you have already received.