Wherever there are people, there are people. Whether in modern life or in the business world, people are always connected by value, and of course that value must be shared for mutual benefit. Nowadays, the most straightforward way to build value connections is to give gifts, and here’s what you need to know about why and how to give gifts. There is a Chinese character to relationships, and there is a Chinese character to the gift economy.
China is known as the land of etiquette and has been in the habit of giving gifts since ancient times. If you want to send gifts to china, it is important to understand the etiquette of Chinese gifts. There is a principle of reciprocity in the flow of most gifts. Traditional Chinese relationships are brought together or separated through a ‘gift-exchange-return’; any two people who are not related can, through the exchange of gifts, be at the same wine table and exchange glasses, or work together for the same purpose. It is only through the exchange process of ‘gift-giving-receiving-gift-returning’ that the object takes on a social life, becoming a gift or a present.
Gifts are not primarily intended to meet a specific practical need or function, but rather to satisfy a psychological need. It is more appropriate to give a gift for the festive season by making the person feel that “I have good wishes for you” than “I have come to help you with a specific problem”. In addition, the more affluent the society, the more the gift is characterised by a departure from practical functionality, and conversely, the poorer the society, the more likely it is that the gift will be in the form of goods and services that have a practical function.
Gifts between countries and organizations are almost always symbolic and non-functional, and it is indeed difficult to imagine two heads of state meeting cordially and then scanning QR codes and adding WeChat and then sending each other red envelopes. Even when it comes to ordinary individuals, WeChat screenshots of money transfers between lovers as gifts on various holidays now have a cringe-worthy, mercenary air, very suspiciously like a love sale. That’s why flowers are always the most popular on Valentine’s Day. If you’re planning to send flowers to China on a holiday, you’ll need to book in advance.
Gift-giving is not just a discipline, it is an art. Gifts need to be graded and chosen according to the recipient’s personality, hobbies, status and identity. Do not send too expensive things to friends who are still unfamiliar, otherwise the other party will feel unable to return the favour, or even suspect that you have ulterior motives; do not send very intimate gifts to less familiar friends and friends who are not deep enough, it is best not to send some personal items, such as intimate clothing, so as not to cause unnecessary misunderstandings; to civil servants, friends, teachers, it is best not to be too expensive, or, when sending gifts, it is best to send directly to the other party’s residence. It is best to send gifts directly to the other party’s home, not in the workplace to avoid the suspicion of bribing others.
