Gift giving in Japan: Do's and Don'ts

In Japan, gift giving is an art, Japanese people love to give gifts. This habit is not practiced only on special occasions, but it's widely accepted as giri - a social duty and obligation. Gift-giving is an accepted practice encountered every day, from taking a little something to a neighbor to receiving an extra radish from the greengrocer. If you get an gift from someone you must also give one in return. There are two gift seasons in Japan, called "seibo" and "chūgen". One is for winter and the other is for summer. Gifts are given to those with whom one has a relationship, especially the people who have helped the gift giver. And its impolite to go to someone's house without a gift according to their beliefs and it’s called "tebura"(empty-handed).

The gift is usually bought in a paper bag, when giving it to the host, both the hands are used and its usually presented in the living room saying "tsumaranai mono desu ga"(This is an trifling thing, but please accept it).Well in professional or business situations one should avoid framing the gift in such terms as it denotes the insignificance of the gift and therefore belittles the recipient's worth. But you can use phrases such as "honno o shirushi de gozai masu ga" (it only amounts to a symbol of my appreciation, but...", implies gratitude towards the recipient that the giver cannot fully express) which fits perfectly.

Japan is one culture where giving and receiving presents is crucial.Giving gifts such as clock or items displaying the numbers 4 or 9, should not be given, since they suggest death. Here’s another interesting fact, Japanese women give chocolate to men on Valentines day. The chocolate can be given to the object of the woman's affection, or to any man the woman is connected to. The latter is called  "giri-choko"(obligation chocolate) and men in return give gifts to women one month later on "White Day".