Gift Giving Still Relevant?

[Luobot]

Is gift giving still as important as it used to be in China?

The thread on what Gifts to Bring to China, currently concludes with some standard good behavior advice and then the following statement :

It is the job of the people who host you to give gifts.

The above statement seems to conflict with what little I've managed to observe and learn about Chinese culture, but who knows, perhaps it’s true? So rather than ask what gifts to bring to China, one first needs to know whether offering gifts is still relevant.

To help answer my question, I found an interesting little blurb on gift giving here

Guests are expected to give a gift to their Chinese host. It is helpful to bring an extra supply of wrapped gifts lest you be caught short-handed. A visiting group can give one large gift to the host organization or smaller mementos to individuals. Avoid gifts of excessive value or that are too personal. Try to find a gift that represents your home state, such as locally made products. As a fallback, many companies rely on gifts of nice crystal or company products such as pens or calendars that can be distributed to everyone.

Gifts are not usually opened in front of the person giving the gift, so do not think it is rude if your host tosses your gift aside. You also may receive gifts from your Chinese hosts. Again, as a rule, do not open the gift in their presence, although in some cases the Chinese may make a show of doing so for you. Gifts are usually exchanged at the end of a banquet or meeting.

Is this already outdated information?

[Senzhi]

Where I am it is most certainly not outdated ... I have plenty of pens, ashtrays and the like, following official meetings and other formal dinners.

In fact, in business, I do not find it different to the western culture: I have also plenty of pens, T-shirts and whatever companies have with their logo on from when I was working in Europe.

And before you start thinking of me only receiving: yes, I also give :lol ... well company stuff of course

Just make sure you give something inexpensive as not to offend the other party (that you may have more money than they do )

[muddy]

I don't know the custome in business.So I just say the state of gift in our daily life.

First,you must clear about the relationship between you and your host.

1.Friends

If your friends invite you to their home,you don't have to put your minds on preparing gifts,it doesn't matter whether you have a gift, it's just a party.

2.Ask for help

If you have something want to ask someone to help you,you must bring some gifts with your visit.We call it 送礼.

There is a chinese proverb:吃人嘴短,拿人手短.It just say if someone accept your benefit,he will fell ashamed and do something for you as return.You can understand it as a kind of inofficial bribe.It's very common.But whether accept your gift it's another thing.

送礼 is a big subject with lots of knowledge.

All in all,if you think you are in the same rank,giving gift is a easy thing,you can handle it as you like.Now,gifts is thing to express emotion.If you are in the lower rank,you'd better bring your gift to show your kindness.In this circumstance,gifts is a thing with exact value and can make a deal.

I don't know whether I express these clearly,because it's really a complicated thing.