Every culture has their own values and beliefs, so when you want to give gifts to your international friends or business partners you might want to avoid giving gifts that are considered taboo by them. So, here's the list of taboo gifts around the world.
Knives, Scissors, Letter Openers, or anything sharp
Meaning: cutting off the relationship
To: Most countries
Clocks, Watches
Meaning: paying the last respect at someone's death
To: East Asia, including China
Green Hat
Meaning: your loved ones is being unfaithful to you
To: China
Brooches
Meaning: associated with sadness or funerals; to give a pain to their heart
To: Italy, Brazil, Thailand
Shoes, Straw Sandals
Meaning: to give a bad spirit/evil; to break up and go separate way
To: China
Handkerchiefs
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Meaning: associated with sadness, funerals, or break up
To: Most countries
Umbrellas
Meaning: to break up/end the relationship
To: China
Wine or other liquors
Meaning: forbidden in Islam, it's considered harmful to their bodies
To: Muslim countries
Pears
Meaning: to depart or go away
To: China
Combs
Meaning: associated with suffering and pain or separation
To: Japan, Thailand
Be careful with numbers for set gifts
4 is bad luck for East Asia, while 8 is considered a lucky number.
13 is bad luck for many countries.
Be careful with colors for your wrapping
Japanese don't wrap their gifts in white paper because white and black colors represent death. Find out more about the meaning of colors from around the world here
