Giving Gift Etiquette

Gift giving is an important part of Palestinian culture, especially when visiting people’s homes. People may bring snacks or flowers when visiting someone’s home. It can also be good to bring something for the children (such as sweets). Gifts are also given on special occasions (e.g. marriages, births, building a new house, holidays, and graduations), or when visiting someone who is sick. People usually wrap these gifts and put them in a nice bag.

Offer and receive gifts with two hands or the right hand only. Traditionally, recipients open the gift in front of the giver to show appreciation. Some may send a message to the giver assuring that it will be used internally and they will not ‘re-gift’ it to others. t is more inappropriate to give alcohol to a woman.

Reciprocation is an important part of gift-giving. Palestinians usually remember the circumstance or occasion when a person gave them a gift so that they can return the gesture at a similar time in their life. A very ‘cheap’ gift can sometimes be interpreted as a lack of thought regarding friendship. However, if someone gives an overly lavish or expensive gift, Palestinians can feel pressure to match the cost of the item at a later time.