International Gift Etiquette: 20+ Forbidden Gifts to Avoid

From watches and handkerchiefs to white flowers, each item hides unexpected cultural "traps."

What you think is a meaningful gift could become a "diplomatic disaster" in another country. Understanding these taboos is the key to avoiding those awkward moments we all want to skip.

Have you ever accidentally broken these "unspoken rules"?

Let's explore with CHUS the gifts you should "avoid" when giving to foreigners.

Taboo Gifts by Country/Region

Gift Taboos in China

Watches - Extremely Strong Taboo

Watches are gifts you shouldn't give to Asian people, especially Chinese and Korean people. In these cultures, watches represent time passing and taking someone to their final resting place. This hints at a short life and death, so giving a watch can bring feelings of bad luck.

Avoid giving watches to elderly people

Handkerchiefs - Symbol of Separation

Handkerchiefs - seemingly simple gifts - actually carry different meanings across cultures. In many countries like China and Korea, giving handkerchiefs is seen as a bad omen, hinting at separation.

White Flowers - Color of Funerals

White flowers are taboo gifts you shouldn't give to foreigners, especially in China, Russia, and France. White flowers are commonly used in funerals, symbolizing separation and mourning. Giving white flowers might make the recipient feel sad and unlucky, making them inappropriate for many occasions.

Green Hats - Sexual Taboo

In China, green hats are linked to an idiom about a wife's unfaithfulness. Giving a green hat to a Chinese man means saying that his girlfriend or wife is cheating on him. So this item is extremely taboo, and you should avoid giving this gift to prevent misunderstandings.

Don't give green hats to Chinese people

Gift Taboos in Korea & Japan

Shoes - Symbol of Farewell

Shoes are gifts you shouldn't give to elderly foreigners, especially Chinese people, because they relate to death. Additionally, shoes shouldn't be given to Indian people for religious reasons if made from leather materials. In Korea and Japan, shoes symbolize farewell, so they're also not a good choice.

Limit giving shoes in certain situations

Umbrellas - Meaning of Distance

Umbrellas represent distance in Chinese, Korean, and even Vietnamese culture. Giving umbrellas might make the recipient think you want them to leave. Instead, choose gifts that show connection and companionship like backpacks, handbags, etc.

Scissors - Cutting Relationships

Scissors are taboo gifts you shouldn't give to people from Confucian countries like China, Japan, and Korea. Scissors hint at cutting relationships, making them inappropriate gifts for friends and family.

Gift Taboos in Russia and France

Yellow Flowers - Funerals and Separation

For people in Russia and France, yellow flowers often symbolize funerals and separation. Therefore, you shouldn't give yellow flowers to locals there. Instead, choose flowers with other bright colors like pink or red to show appropriate care and congratulations.

Carnations - Related to Funerals

Carnations are also an inappropriate choice when giving to Russian and French people. For similar reasons as yellow flowers, carnations in these two countries are often associated with funerals and bad luck.

Red Roses - Only for Lovers

In French culture, red roses are flowers reserved for lovers, representing romantic relationships. Therefore, this is a taboo gift inappropriate for friends or new acquaintances.

Gift Taboos in India (Hindu Culture)

Perfume - Too Personal

Don't give perfume to Americans and Indians because it's quite personal and sensitive, usually only given to very close people.

Is perfume an appropriate gift for foreigners

Jewelry - Too Intimate

Jewelry is a gift to avoid giving to Indian people because it's too intimate and carries deep personal meaning. Jewelry is usually given in very close relationships and might be misunderstood regarding the level of intimacy in the relationship.

Leather Goods - Religious Violation

Leather goods are also gifts to note when giving to foreigners, especially Hindu followers in India. In Hinduism, cows are considered sacred animals and killing cows is taboo. Therefore, giving leather goods made from cowhide might make the recipient feel offended and disrespected.

Leather goods are also items you need to note when choosing gifts

Frangipani Flowers - Symbolizing Death

Frangipani flowers are taboo gifts you shouldn't give to Indian people. In Hinduism, frangipani flowers symbolize sadness and death. Giving frangipani flowers might violate beliefs and make the recipient feel uncomfortable.

Is giving frangipani flowers okay?

Gift Taboos in America

Clothes - Too Personal

Clothes are often seen as personal and intimate gifts. Therefore, giving clothes to Americans, especially new acquaintances or those you're not close with, might make them feel embarrassed and awkward.

Gift Taboos in Many Asian Countries

Medicine - Implying Illness

You shouldn't give medicine because this implies illness. Giving medicine might make the recipient worry about their health. Instead, choose gifts that show care and concern like nutritious foods, herbal teas, etc.

Avoid giving medicine to foreigners

Single Items - Lacking Completeness

Weddings are special occasions marking the perfect union of two people. Choosing appropriate gifts to congratulate the happiness of newlyweds is always necessary.

In the beliefs of many East Asian countries, gifts for couples often carry symbolic meaning of perfect combination. Therefore, avoid giving single items to couples because it might make the recipients feel inconsiderate and disappointed.

Black Gift Wrapping - Color of Mourning

Black gift wrapping is a taboo gift you shouldn't give to Chinese, Korean, and Japanese people because black relates to mourning.

Black gifts are taboo gifts for Chinese people

White Gift Wrapping - Related to Funerals

Similarly, white gift wrapping shouldn't be given to foreigners because white relates to funerals and mourning. Choose bright and vibrant colors to express joy and good luck.

Items with the Number 4 - Ominous Death

Don't give items with the number 4 to people from Confucian countries like Vietnam, China, Japan, and Korea. The number 4 in Chinese sounds like the word "death," often considered unlucky.

Gifts with Different Meanings by Country

Chrysanthemums - Cultural Differences

Chrysanthemums are popular flowers loved for their elegant beauty, but their meaning differs across cultures. In Vietnam, Korea, and some European countries like France, Italy, Belgium, etc., chrysanthemums are funeral flowers. Chrysanthemums are associated with funerals, sadness, and loss and should be avoided as gifts.

Conversely, in Indian culture, giving chrysanthemums is seen as good wishes, showing care because chrysanthemums symbolize luck, prosperity, and health.

Other Taboo Gifts

Lilies - Funeral Flowers

Lilies are commonly used in funerals in China, France, and Japan. So giving lilies to people from these countries might carry negative meanings. Instead of lilies, choose flowers with positive meanings appropriate to local culture to show your care and respect.

Is giving lilies okay?

Alcohol - Religious Taboo

Alcohol is common but not an appropriate gift for everyone. Giving alcohol to foreigners, especially from Muslim countries and India, might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings due to their cultural and religious rules prohibiting alcohol consumption.

Important Notes When Choosing Gifts

Choosing gifts for foreigners isn't just about showing care but also respecting culture. Before deciding to give any gift, learn about:

• Religious culture of the recipient
• Traditional taboos of their country
• Meaning of colors and numbers in that culture
• Level of intimacy appropriate for the gift

Instead of gifts from the "forbidden" list, you might consider:

• Vietnamese handicrafts with positive cultural meanings
• Local specialties beautifully packaged
• Books about Vietnamese culture in English
• Paintings and artworks for decoration

Read more related articles

>> Corporate Gifts For Foreign Partners: Your Essential Cross-Cultural Gifting Guide

>> 10+ Vietnamese Gifts To Bring Home For Family And Friends – Expat’s Guide

Conclusion

Choosing gifts for foreigners is an art requiring subtlety and skill. CHUS hopes the above information has helped you better understand gift-giving cultures of different countries.

However, there's still much more to explore ahead. Continue joining CHUS to learn more secrets of choosing meaningful gifts and the latest gift trends!

FAQs

• Do all foreigners really avoid these gifts?
  Not entirely. These taboos depend on each country's culture and how strictly individuals follow traditions. However, to be safe and show respect, it's best to avoid these gifts.
• How can I learn about specific taboos for each country?
  The best approach is researching the recipient's cultural background through books, internet resources, or asking friends with experience. You can also tactfully inquire about their preferences directly.
• What should I do if I've already given a taboo gift?
  Explain sincerely that you weren't aware of this cultural aspect and apologize for the misunderstanding. Most people will be understanding if they see your good intentions and respect.
• Are there any gifts that are safe for all cultures?
  Neutral gifts like books, artwork, packaged foods, or handicrafts with positive cultural significance are generally well-received. However, it's still wise to research beforehand to be certain.
• When is it appropriate to ask about gift preferences in advance?
  With close relationships or in professional settings, asking about preferences beforehand is normal and encouraged. This shows thoughtfulness and desire to give the most suitable gift.