What Gifts Should You Bring to Chinese School Children?
The customs of other cultures can confuse travelers and host families alike. Often good taste in one country can offend members of another. For example, in many American households, removing shoes before entering can expose smelly feet, considered offensive. In Chinese cultures, however, you always remove shoes before entering a household. When it comes to gift giving, especially with children, use Chinese customs to guide your generosity, enabling you to make a positive impact, rather than offend the families of a whole classroom.
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Appropriateness
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Although gifts are prevalent in Western society, they actually play a much more important role in Chinese life. People give gifts for a variety of purposes and on a number of occasions: to show gratitude, respect or even to bribe. Because gifts are so common and such a large part of Chinese culture, the University of Florida website suggests that travelers carry gifts with them any time they go.
Selecting a Gift
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Because the type of gift given shows familiarity, gifts to unknown people are generally presented to the head of a business, family or group. For this reason, if you do not know the Chinese children well, present them with a gift that serves the entire family (especially the head of household). For example, the parent of a Chinese child might find it less offensive to receive a gift card to a local restaurant than if the child receives a toy.
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Which Gifts?
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The Chinese culture allows for several different gift types from foreigners, according to the University of Florida. If you visit a Chinese school in China, bring gifts from your home country, such as books of photographs. For Chinese children anywhere, practical gifts are considered in good taste; bring children studying English an English dictionary. Other possible gifts include pens and calculators.
If you do purchase the children pens, make sure not to include red ink pens. In China, red ink symbolizes ending a relationship. Additionally, do not present the following gifts to a Chinese classroom (many of them symbolize death or contain bad connotations): sandals, flowers, clocks, kerchiefs, umbrellas, green hats, sharp objects or expensive gifts.
Presentation
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First, present the gift with both hands. If the recipient of the gift refuses the gift, continue to offer it until accepted. Acting unworthy of receiving a gift shows humility, which is honorable in Eastern culture. Do not show surprise if the child does not open the gift immediately. In Chinese culture, it is preferable to avoid opening a gift until later.
When presenting the gifts, do not wrap the gifts in white, blue or black paper.
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References
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