Giving gifts is a social skill that can be quite beneficial in maintaining not just social connections, but also business connections. Knowing some of the key etiquettes and traditions surrounding the act makes a huge difference in how your gift is perceived by the recipient.
Giving Gifts – Be Mindful of the Recipient’s Culture
You should always avoid inconsiderate gifts in professional settings, but even if the gift is for a loved one, be mindful of their origins before choosing it. There are items out there that can be offensive to people belonging to a different culture. Even if you meant it as a joke or if it was a genuine mistake, it will come off as an instance of poor taste. In no circumstance can that yield good results. In some cultures, it is even offensive to offer a gift, except in certain special occasions.
Include a Penny with a Knife
Giving a knife as a gift and a penny along with it is an ancient tradition that’s prevalent in many parts of the world even today. Is it superstition? Most certainly, but then again, most traditions can be traced back to superstition of one kind or another. Irrespective of whether you believe in that superstition yourself or not, it is important not to ignore it while presenting a gift to someone else. Doing so reflects your disregard of their beliefs and traditions, which reflects poorly on the gift itself.
Ensure Relevance
Relevance is the most important factor when it comes to selecting a gift. If it’s not relevant to the recipient, you could end up spending hundreds of dollars on a gift and still not see the reaction that you hoped for. At the same time, a comparatively cheaper but relevant gift could elicit a far better reaction from them.
For example, your teen son may appreciate a new gaming console on their birthday much more than an expensive suit that costs twice as much. Similarly, kitchenware as your partner’s birthday gift is a bad idea, given that it has very little to do with her as a person! Make sure that there is a direct and positive relationship between the recipient, the occasion, and the gift that you are about to buy for them.
Giving Gifts – Know Your Safe Options
When you are not sure, play it safe. This is most applicable in professional settings where even a seemingly well intended gift could lead to controversies. For example, get a bottle of wine with white and blue flowers for the host, when you want to be neutral but pleasant.
If it’s a general occasion of mutual gifting in the office, read through the company policies and adhere to them. Gift cards at the office and cash in social circles are also well received gifts in general, provided that they are not too valuable for the occasion. Also, do not personalize your gift for the intended recipient too much when you want to play it safe.
It may not happen every time, but a poorly chosen gift can send the wrong signals, which could ultimately end up damaging a relationship rather than helping it thrive. The information shared here will help you avoid such situations, while also improving your chances of achieving the expected effect from each of your gifts.
What gifts would you suggest?
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