Malaysia: Gift Giving
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Gift Giving
Gift giving to Malays
If invited to someone's home for dinner, bring the hostess pastries or good quality chocolates.
Do not give toy dogs or pigs to children. Dogs are considered unclean.
Never give knives because they have a sharp edge which symbolises severing relationships.
Never give alcohol.
Never give products or foods from scavengers, which include pork, birds, and shellfish. Do not give anything made of pigskin.
Artwork that consists of sculptures, drawings or photos showing the human body, especially a nude or partially nude female body is not acceptable as a gift.
Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death and mourning.
Avoid yellow wrapping paper, as it is the colour of royalty.
If you give food, it must be “halal” (meaning permissible for Muslims).
A good gift for a devout Muslim is a compass. Each day he must face Mecca for prayers. With a compass, no matter where in the world he happens to be, he can easily find the correct direction.
Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large. The left hand is never used alone to hand someone a gift, as it’s considered unclean.
Gifts are generally not opened when received.
Gift giving to Chinese
If invited to someone's home, bring a small gift of fruit, sweets, or cakes, saying that it is for the children.
Do not give scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship.
Flowers do not make good gifts as they are given to the sick and are used at funerals.
Do not wrap gifts in mourning colours - white, blue, or black.
Do not give clocks, handkerchiefs and straw sandals.
Wrap the gifts in happy colours – red (lucky colour), pink and yellow (happiness).
It is best to give gifts in even numbers since odd numbers are unlucky. 8 is the luckiest number.
Gifts are generally not opened when received.
Gift giving to Indians
In the Hindu culture, the cow is sacred, plus fish and all animal products except milk or butter are shunned. Therefore, you would never select any leather or food product from these categories.
If you give flowers, avoid frangipanis as they are used in funeral wreaths.
Money should be given in odd numbers.
Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands; never use only your left hand as the left is considered unclean since it’s used for personal hygiene.
Do not wrap gifts in white or black.
Wrap gifts in red, yellow or green paper or other bright colours as these bring good fortune.
Do not give leather products to a Hindu.
Do not give alcohol unless you are certain the recipient drinks.
Gifts are generally not opened when received.
