Gift-giving taboos

Several gifts are avoided because of sound or symbolism. Clocks (钟, zhōng) are the best-known taboo — 送钟 ('to gift a clock') sounds identical to 送终 ('to see someone off at their death'), so clocks and watches are avoided as gifts, especially for elders. Sharp objects like knives or scissors symbolically 'cut' a relationship; umbrellas (伞, sǎn) sound like 散 (sàn, 'to scatter/break up'), making them a poor gift between couples or close friends; and shoes (鞋, xié) can imply someone walking away from you.

Numbers matter too — never give anything in a set of four, since 四 (sì) sounds like 死 (sǐ, 'death'); pears are best not shared or cut for a couple to eat together, since 梨 (lí) sounds like 离 (lí, 'to separate'). All-white flowers, chrysanthemums, and white or black wrapping are strongly associated with funerals and should be avoided for any celebratory occasion.

Safe, well-liked gifts include fruit baskets, good tea, quality alcohol or cigarettes for men, and regional specialty snacks; wrap in red or gold, the auspicious colors. Present and receive gifts with both hands. It's traditional not to open a gift immediately in front of the giver — this avoids seeming greedy or making a modest gift look inadequate — though younger, casual settings are more relaxed about this. The giver may also downplay the gift ('一点小意思' — 'just a small token') before you accept; a little polite hesitation before accepting is normal and expected, not genuine reluctance.