| Don't look a gift horse in the mouth is a funny phrase with uncertain origins; nevertheless it's an important one, with particular significance for anyone looking to buy Gifts, no matter what the occasion.
Believed to have been first printed in 1546 by John Heywood - a man employed in the court of Henry VIII, the proverb instructs the recipients of gifts to appreciate what they have received, without further examination, in order to ascertain its true monetary worth.
In spite of the proverb's age, these are actually very wise words. After all, when giving and receiving gifts the most important thing should always be the thought. Even if the gifts or gift isn't quite what you were expecting, someone has gone to the trouble of picking out and buying gifts for you - so be appreciative!
Interestingly, the importance of giving gifts differs between cultures, and individuals who interact with people from different cultures should underestimate it at their peril. In Japan for example, a country that places an incredibly high degree of importance upon the process of giving gifts, it has been claimed that giving gifts is used as a tool for indicating a number of different sentiments, including friendship and respect. And while one should always ensure they are prepared for the ritual of gift giving within this country's cultural context, the guidelines that need to be borne in mind are not really that complex.
Whether or not you're meeting individuals in a business environment, it is important to remember that gifts do not have to be either flashy or expensive. It is also a good idea to avoid white wrapping paper, given the colour's connotations with death; although you should always ensure that all gifts are wrapped. Interestingly, after the exchange, the importance of gifts should also be reduced. However, this reduction should not be construed as a trivialisation of the gift, as its true purpose is to demonstrate that the relationship between individuals is of more importance than the items being exchanged.
In contrast, despite the country's close proximity to Japan, and the influence this country has had upon the cultural practices of the Japanese people, the giving of gifts in China is not considered with the same degree of importance. According to one report, although the importance and significance of giving gifts in China is now improving, it was affected by communism in a negative way; within this cultural framework, when giving gifts in a business environment it is important that any items are not viewed as attempts at bribery.
Much like Japan, there are a number of things to remember when giving gifts in China, such as not giving clocks; apparently, the Chinese word for clock is somewhat similar to a similar-sounding word that actually means death. And, it's always worth remembering that, when giving gifts, it should be done with two hands rather than one. Moreover, because of the importance of not giving gifts that indicate the "severing" of a relationship, Chinese cultural norms dictate that things should not be written using red ink; sharp objects are also inappropriate choices as Gifts.
In marked contrast to these two Asian cultures, the giving of gifts within European countries, the US, Canada and Australia is significantly less formal. Indeed, while giving gifts is considered to be a nice thing to do, levels of expectation are not comparable to Japan and China. However, within the context of a business environment, it has been argued that when giving gifts, there should be no confusion between a genuine gift and an attempt to offer a bribe.
However, irrespective of the gift giving culture that is relevant to your own personal circumstances, always remember to show your appreciation for the gift - or Gifts - that you have received. After all, it's not the monetary value of a gift that's important, but rather the fact that you've received the gift in the first place. Never looking a gift horse in the mouth really is a good rule to follow.
For further information, please visit http://www.gettingpersonal.co.uk |
