1、Unit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette 送禮與受禮禮儀Focal Points1. How to give and receive gifts in business 2. How to choose appropriate gifts for different occasions3. General gifting tipsContentsLead in1Reading A2Reading B3Reading C45ExercisesTest your cross cultural gift-giving etiquette.Wa

2、rming-up1. If invited to a house for dinner in Turkey, which of these would you take? A. Money B. Pastries C. Whiskey 2. Gifts are opened in front of the giver in Indonesia. A. True B. False3. What color would you suggest wrapping a gift in for a client in India? A. Green B. White C. Black 4. In Bol

3、ivia what color flowers would make a poor choice for a gift? A. White B. Red C. Yellow Test your cross cultural gift-giving etiquette.Warming-up5. When giving or receiving a gift in China, you should so do using. A. Both hands B. Right hand C. Left hand 6. In Japan gifts are considered bribes. A. Tr

4、ue B. False 7. In Belgium when should gifts be given to a host? A. After the meal B. Before the meal C. During the meal 8. Which of these gifts is the most appropriate for a Saudi business associate? A. Gold watch B. Silver Pen C. Silk Tie Giving and Receiving Gifts in Business Giving and receiving

5、gifts cause considerable concern in business, for obvious reasons. Gifts can be used appropriately to thank clients for business, to reward someone for a job well done, to celebrate a promotion, or to commemorate a long-term relationship. But gift-giving can also veer into undue influence and briber

6、y. Two kinds of gift-giving occur in business. The first kind between colleagues and/or supervisors is easier to justify and is less fraught with danger than the second kind gift-giving between companies. Reading AUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Giving and Receiving Gifts in Busine

7、ss Gift-giving between coworkers, especially during the holiday season, is a common practice at many companies. If you work for such a company, youll be considered churlish if you dont participate. This situation is one of those coerced acts of generosity that you really cant ignore or belittle, so

8、bite the bullet and join in. Gifts for coworkers dont have to be lavish and ought not to be too personal. Something a colleague can use in the office, such as a coffee mug or a picture frame, is just fine. Reading AUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Giving and Receiving Gifts in Busin

9、ess Group gifts for weddings, babies, and retirements are the norm. Here again, dont presume to know your recipient so well that you get him something personal. Focus on the utilitarian and the practical, not the exciting or the alluring. Gifts for bosses are a different matter altogether. There is

10、cause for concern with giving a gift to a boss. You may look like youre trying to curry favor with her or, worse, bribe her. Besides, if you spend too much, your boss who, after all, knows what you make may decide that youre a toadying fool. Follow these simple guidelines: Extravagant gift-giving is

11、 both bad strategy and poor taste. Others may not share your love of lavish gifts, and they may resent you for going overboard.Reading AUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Giving and Receiving Gifts in Business Send group gifts rather than individual gifts to bosses. Sending a card or

12、flowers to your boss if he has been ill or in the hospital is all right. However, flowers arent always allowed. Check with the hospital first. Gifts between companies Gift-giving between companies or between employees of different companies is a thorny issue so thorny, in fact, that most organizatio

13、ns have explicit rules governing the practice. The following sections discuss two kinds of corporate gift-giving: gifts that you or your company presents to others, and gifts that you or your company receives from others. Reading AUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Giving and Receivin

14、g Gifts in BusinessGiving gifts Companies commonly give gifts to clients and customers during the holiday season. So long as the gift isnt ostentatious, this practice doesnt seem to be an attempt to curry favor, and so long as the gift is reasonably well made, it doesnt seem like an attempt to dump

15、promotional items. Be careful with humorous gifts. If you arent sure that the recipient will be pleasantly amused, dont send it.Receiving gifts You really have only one thing to consider: Know your companys policy about receiving gifts! Some companies dont allow employees to receive any gifts worth

16、more than, say, $25; others require all gifts worth more than a specified amount to be disclosed to supervisors or other managers.Reading AUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Giving and Receiving Gifts in Business Problems arise when you receive a gift that violates company policy. If

17、you receive season tickets for the Green Bay Packers, for example, and your company forbids acceptance of any gifts worth more than $100, youre painfully obliged to decline the gift. Ouch! If youre in this predicament, you probably will have to write a letter declining the gift. Compose the letter i

18、n which you decline a gift carefully, focusing on your companys policy on receiving gifts, rather than on your personal feelings. The companys policy prevents you from accepting the gift, not your own displeasure. Reading AUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Finding Appropriate Gifts f

19、or Every Occasion After you figure out when giving and receiving a gift is appropriate, you may still be mystified by the prospect of choosing a gift. Luckily, you have only a few choices to make. Make these distinctions between personal and business gifts: If you know a client or colleague well, so

20、cializing outside a business context on a regular basis, you may want to give a personal gift for a birthday, promotion, or holiday. Send or deliver such a gift to the persons home.Reading BUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Finding Appropriate Gifts for Every Occasion If you want to

21、give a business gift, first familiarize yourself with your firms gift policy, if any. Professional gifts can be quite varied, from food or wine to small conveniences (such as a business-card holder or a new pen) to office items (such as a picture frame or a computer accessory). If you know your clie

22、nt well enough to have visited her office many times, you may have had the opportunity to divine a welcome addition. Just as a distinction exists between personal and professional gifts, a distinction exists between perishable and lasting gifts: Reading BUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiqu

23、ette Finding Appropriate Gifts for Every Occasion Perishable gifts are, as the name implies, gifts that have a short life, such as food, flowers, and wine. Perishable gifts are fine for most professional gift-giving between companies and between people who dont know each other well. Flowers can be g

24、reat gifts, but if you send long-stemmed roses to an administrative assistant as a thank-you for her outstanding accomplishment in getting everyone organized, you send the wrong message. Roses traditionally have romantic overtones, which isnt a professional message. Tulips, a tasteful mixed bouquet,

25、 or a flowering plant would be a better choice. Reading BUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Finding Appropriate Gifts for Every Occasion Lasting gifts are intended to last longer perhaps even a lifetime. Lasting gifts are better reserved for especially significant events and for event

26、s you want the other company or person to remember for a long time. Whether a gift is temporary or permanent, personal or professional, take care to present it competently wrapped and with a card. Otherwise, your intentions will be sabotaged by your shoddy presentation. If you cant wrap a box, get s

27、omeone else to do it, such as the customer-service counter at the store where you purchase the gift. It is better to give than to receive. In giving, you extend your everyday kindness to an act whose only goal is kindness. Reading BUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette 10 Tips for Gift-g

28、ivers and Gift-receivers The purpose of giving gifts is to bring joy to both the giver and receiver, promote goodwill, and make for a closer relationship. However, if gift-giving goes amiss, there is a risk of making the receiver uncomfortable and creating an unpleasant situation for both sides. To

29、avoid any ill-effects from your gift-giving practices, keep in mind these simple tips: When you give: 1. Be sure of the true purpose of the gift. Beyond saying the gift is for a particular holiday or occasion, think through how well this gift will express your feelings for this person. To figure thi

30、s out, ask yourself: How much do I really care about this person? How much time, energy, and money am I willing to spend to select just the right gift for him or her? Let the answers guide you throughout this process. Reading CUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette 10 Tips for Gift-givers

31、 and Gift-receivers 2. Do your homework about the receiver. Be observant about his or her favorite items, things he or she might need, or things that would be a meaningful expression of your relationship. Try to remember comments about favorite colors, foods, or beverages. As needed, ask someone els

32、e who knows the person, explaining that the purpose of your inquiry is to help learn something that will help you select a special gift. I think most people are willing to help with ideas. Reading CUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette 10 Tips for Gift-givers and Gift-receivers 3. Be sen

33、sitive to personal and cultural differences. With such a diverse population in our society, it is important to learn something about a persons ethnic, religious, and cultural practices along with their personal likes and dislikes, before you present a gift. Take time to learn whats appropriate and w

34、hats not in different communities to gain insights on what a person would or would not appreciate as a gift. For example, giving a bottle of wine to someone who does not drink alcohol could make the receiver less than overjoyed with your gift. Reading CUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquet

35、te 10 Tips for Gift-givers and Gift-receivers 4. Know when corporate logos are appropriate. Some times a gift with a company logo cheapens its appearance. The best gifts are those without any company logos or promotion on it, especially when given as special thank-you gift. Logo gifts are fine as sm

36、all tokens and remembrances for meetings held, not generally as the sincerest form of a thank-you gift. 5. Use simple and elegant wrapping. For example, Japanese-influenced, understated wrapping is best in my mind. Avoid using brightly colored, bold, heavily patterned paper and a lot of brightly col

37、ored, fancy bows and ribbons on the package. Use instead, solid stately colors and quality paper with simple ribbon.Reading CUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette 10 Tips for Gift-givers and Gift-receivers 6. Present your gift with style. The best way to present a gift is always beautifu

38、lly wrapped and in person. And when you do, present your gift held with both your hands as though you are holding it on a silver platter. This ritual is adopted from Asian culture to show the utmost respect and care. In business situations, when sending the gift by messenger or mail, include your bu

39、siness card with the gift, along with a handwritten note on personal note card or stationary. When you receive: 1. Show your appreciation when receiving a gift in person. Always put a smile on your face as a gift is being presented. Receive the gift with both handsReading CUnit Eighteen Gift Giving

40、and Receiving Etiquette 10 Tips for Gift-givers and Gift-receivers(again an influence from the Asian culture). Say thank you along with a brief expression of appreciation. 2. Let the giver know as soon as possible when a gift has arrived. Make every effort to let the sender know you received a gift

41、sent by mail or messenger (, fax, or telephone call is fine). Then follow it up by sending the proper thank-you note as soon as possible . 3. Be sensitive to opening a gift in front of others. Americans or Australians typically open gifts as soon as it is received, even in front of an audience and o

42、ther groups of people. Know that in many countries it is not customary or appropriate to open gifts in front of other people. They are kept to beReading CUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette 10 Tips for Gift-givers and Gift-receiversopened alone. When receiving house gifts, special gues

43、t and speaker gifts, be sensitive as to whether you will or will not be encouraged and expected to open it right away. 4. Know the bottom line. Always, always hand write a thank you note for every gift you receive, no matter whatregardless of whether you like the gift or not, even if you plan to exc

44、hange the gift or give it away. Simply said: Sending a thank-you note is the right thing to do. Reading CUnit Eighteen Gift Giving and Receiving Etiquette Test Your Gift-Giving EtiquetteExercises When giving or receiving this holiday season, theres a right - and wrong - way to go about it. For examp

45、le, is it okay to re-gift? Do you know how to handle an unexpected present? Is an thank-you note acceptable? Take the quiz to test your knowledge of gifting etiquette. 1. Do you have to give a gift that has the same monetary value as a gift someone gave you? A. Yes, you dont want to look cheap. B. Y

46、es. In fact, you should spend more. C. No. Find the nicest thing you can give in your means. Test Your Gift-Giving EtiquetteExercises2. Someone gives you a gift, but you werent planning on giving that person one. Do you have to reciprocate? A. Yes and make up an excuse for why you dont have her gift

47、 yet. B. Yes, but dont offer an excuse for not having one at the time. C. No. Just say: Thank you. 3. When you give a gift, should you include the gift receipt? A. Definitely. B. Only for close friends and relatives. C. No. Its a sign you didnt really know what to get. Test Your Gift-Giving Etiquett

48、eExercises4. Are thank-you notes necessary if you thanked the giver in person when you opened the gift? A. Yes, in all cases. B. Only for people who arent close friends or relatives. C. No. 5. Is it okay to give gifts to people who dont celebrate the same holidays you do? A. No, it might be offensiv

49、e. B. Yes, as long as its not a religious gift. 6. Should you give your boss a gift? A. Yes, to show your appreciation. B. No, it might look like youre kissing up. Test Your Gift-Giving EtiquetteExercises7. Gift cards are popular, but are they a cop-out? A. Yes, youll be breaking etiquette rules if

50、you give one. B. Not necessarily. Theyre acceptable now. 8. If you are hosting a party, are you required to serve the wine, chocolate or other gifts your guests bring? A. No, not if you didnt ask them to bring anything. B. Yes, it would be rude not to. Test Your Gift-Giving EtiquetteExercises9. Whic

51、h gift would not be appropriate to give to an acquaintance? A. Cologne or perfume. B. Lingerie or underwear. C. Alcohol. D. All of the above. 10. Is it okay to re-gift? A. Yes, as long as you know the receiver wont find out its a recycled gift. B. Yes, as long as the item is in its original packagin

52、g. C. No, its dishonest. IIRole-play: Act out the role-play according to the following situation. ExercisesYour foreign teacher is leaving the school at the end of the year and the students have decided to buy him/her a present. But what to buy? You can use the visual aids below to help you decide o

53、n ONE present to buy.III. Read the following article and fill out the worksheet. ExercisesCross-Cultural Gift GivingEtiquette Within the interdependent, global and multi-cultural marketplace of the century, cross cultural differences in the approaches and practices of business people across the worl

54、d are important to learn. A lack of cross cultural understanding can lead to misunderstandings which may result in offense. Cross cultural awareness and an understanding of foreign etiquette is important for todays globe trotting business person. One area of importance in cross cultural awareness is

55、 in the different gift giving etiquettes of the world. Understanding gift giving and the etiquette surrounding it can help international business people cement better relationships with foreign colleagues, clients or customers. III. Read the following article and fill out the worksheet. Exercises Cr

56、oss cultural gift giving etiquette involves considering the following points: Who is receiving the gift? Is it a person or a group? What is the status of the receiver?What types of gifts are acceptable or unacceptable?What is the protocol associated with gift giving and receiving?Should gifts be rec

57、iprocated? In many countries such as in North America or the UK, gift giving is rare in the business world. In fact, it may carry negative connotations as gift giving could be construed as bribery. However, in many other countries, gift giving and its etiquette have a central place in business pract

58、ices. III. Read the following article and fill out the worksheet. Exercises In order to highlight some of the different aspects of cross cultural gift giving etiquette a few examples shall be presented.Gift Giving Etiquette in China It is the proper etiquette for gifts to be exchanged for celebratio

59、ns, as thanks for assistance and even as a sweetener for future favors. It is however important not to give gifts in the absence of a good reason or a witness. When the Chinese want to buy gifts it is not uncommon for them to ask what you would like. It would be wise to demonstrate an appreciation o

60、f Chinese culture by asking for items such as ink paintings or tea. III. Read the following article and fill out the worksheet. Exercises Business gifts are always reciprocated. Not to do so is bad etiquette. When giving gifts do not give cash. Do not be too frugal with your choice of gift otherwise