Chinese Gift Giving

Chinese consider gifts as an important part to show courtesy. It is appropriate to give gifts on occasions such as festival, birthday, wedding, or visiting a patient. If you are invited to a family party, small gifts like wine, tea, cigarettes, or candies are welcomed. Also fruit, pastries, and flowers are a safe choice. As to other things, you should pay a little attention to the cultural differences. Contrary to Westerners, odd numbers are thought to be unfortunate. So wedding gifts and birthday gifts for the aged are always sent in pairs for the old saying goes that blessings come in pairs. Though four is an even number, it reads like death in Chinese thus is avoided. So is pear for being a homophone of separation. And a gift of clock sounds like attending other's funeral so it is a taboo, too. As connected with death and sorrow, black and white are also the last in the choice. Gift giving is unsuitable in public except for some souvenirs. Your good intentions or gratitude should be given priority to but not the value of the gifts. Otherwise the receiver may mistake it for a bribe.

************************************************
This is me........
Ok. So my computer at work got fried along with my phone - by lightning....So it has been on the blitz, as in...dead! It is taking forever to get a new one in. So in the mean time I have to find someone else's computer at work to sit at and do my work...annoying... So I haven't been able to upload my pictures like I have wanted to. Every time I try from home Blogger won't let me upload any...very frustrating!!!!!!!! Ugh...my life without a computer at work....totally BORING! There is NOTHING to do! Nothing!

twiddling my thumbs at work....