International Gift Giving Tips
Gift giving is a warm gesture when visiting another country as tourist, for business transactions, as student, or as participant of an exchange program. Likewise, some friends may visit us from another country on personal or business nature. These circumastances call for gift giving to people of other culture.
Understanding the gift customs and traditions of the country is very important in giving the right gift. This entails some research either from people who have experience with such culture and country or by reading available literature.
Present Perfect gives tips on international gift giving based on an international survey. Below are some of the important ones:
- A book from the current best-seller list would make a great gift for foreign friends and business associates fluent in English. Coffee table books with pictures of sports, history, scenery, and culture are also popular. Gifts of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and other pieces of art are usually appreciated.
- Many people enjoy receiving gifts that are not readily available in their country. Such gifts include state-of-the-art electronic gadgets and the latest electrical appliances. (Include a voltage converter, if needed.)
- Musical recordings-classical, jazz, country, folk, rock-make interesting intercultural gifts.
- Trendy blue jeans, athletic shoes, T-shirts, and sweatshirts with sports team logos or clever slogans make fun clothing gifts.
- Accessories, desk sets, luggage, scarves, ties, handbags, and costume jewelry by top designers or from distinctive stores are well received.
- Give quality food items from the region of the country in which you live-peanuts from Georgia, maple syrup from Vermont, cheese from Wisconsin. Where applicable, gifts of food should be in accordance with Kosher or other religious food laws.
- Posters of pop artists, sports heroes, and television and movie stars are hits with teenagers from other countries.
- Children enjoy American toys and sports equipment-Frisbees, in-line skates, baseballs and bats, footballs, and basketballs. Be sure to show the youngsters how to use the items you give.
- Paying import taxes on gifts you bring into a foreign country is a thoughtful and much-appreciated gesture.
- As a general rule, give only gifts of very high quality that will serve as lasting reminders of you and your visit.
- Be careful not to give gifts that conflict with cultural or religious values. For example, alcohol of any kind, books or magazines containing photographs of immodestly dressed persons and sculptures depicting human or animal forms conflict with Islam.
Having made your tentative choice of gift, consult God if it's really
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Happy Gift
Giving!!!