The Best Gifts for Someone in Another Country
Sending a gift to someone of a different culture requires special attention; you want to pay attention to any cultural differences, taboos or expectations. But it’s also an opportunity to wow someone without spending a ton of money. Cross-Cultural Business Consultant Dean Foster advises on how to give fantastic gifts internationally in mid-career; we talked with him about what you can and cannot do.
The best you can give, says Foster to Lifehacker, is what is produced in your area, which is rare or expensive. Usually, you can win with the help of local food or drinks: cheese, wine, maple syrup, hot sauce. Or find food that is especially appreciated in the culture of the recipient; Foster writes on Medium that citrus fruits from Florida or California are great gifts in Japan.
Other local gifts include goods for local cultural institutions, such as sports teams, or toys or clothing that are not mass-produced. If you ship something to Shanghai, it will be much less charming if it has the “Made in China” stamp on it. So look for custom products. It is much better to send something small, truly unique, than something that anyone could order online if they had enough money.
“Be careful to avoid cultural taboos,” Foster writes. Unless you know the recipient won’t mind, avoid sending alcoholic gifts to people of predominantly Muslim cultures or leather goods to those of Hindu cultures. He also warns of more specific taboos, such as the gift of watches in China. So, whatever you’re sending, do a Google search to make sure the recipient isn’t uncomfortable.
Also, avoid religious gifts unless you are sure the recipient will like them. This is especially true for distributions to people in the United States.
If you’re sending a gift to an American recipient in another country, you can relax a little: Foster tells Lifehacker that the US has one of the most lenient gift cultures around. However, we recommend that you check your recipient’s dietary preferences, such as vegetarianism. And as controversial as it may seem, fur in the US is far more controversial than leather.
Finally, inquire about delivery times and holidays. If you’re sending a gift from Japan to the United States, Foster has a warning: unlike the Japanese postal service, which stores New Year’s greetings and delivers them exactly on January 1, USPS doesn’t even work that day.
For more tips, read Foster’s post and his Oh Your Culture podcast !