Question

Asked by johnnytwoguns | Apr. 11, 2013 15:50

About:Chinese Etiquette

My new neighbors are Chinese, do not speak English. What gift may I bring for them to feel welcome

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Answers (10)

Answered by Jane | Apr. 13, 2013 22:58

1 1 Reply

Flowers or fruits can be used as gifts.

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Answered by Jem | Jun. 08, 2013 22:40

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I heard flowers are a "no-no" as they are commonly associated with funerals. Fresh fruit baskets and/or other food is wonderful. Our neighbors brought us over home-made egg rolls and Wine yesterday. They, too, are new to the neighborhood. I felt like such a bad neighbor for not having brought or given them anything when they moved in next door. I am going out this weekend to put together a beautiful fresh fruit basket from a local outdoor market. I was told this would be a good gift! :-)

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Answered by Destock-Telecom | Jun. 28, 2013 03:45

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I am a Chinese, to be honest, we seldom give gifts to our neighbors. It's not our traditional custom to give gifts to new neighbors in most areas in China. But if you want to show your friendliness, you can just smile and say "ni hao" to them once you meet them. Since they do not speak English, I don't know what you can chat.

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Answered by chinese in uk | Jul. 08, 2013 05:58

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I'm afraid that I don't agree with you. It is not about welcoming a new neighbour in China. Their culture is to welcome a new member in their neighbourhood, it doesn't make a difference if the new member is a Chinese or not. If it makes a difference, then does this sound right to you?
I think a fresh fruit basket is great as a gift.

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Answered by Destock-Telecom | Jul. 11, 2013 03:43

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At least, for our Chinese mainlanders , we seldom give gift to our new neighbors. Most Chinese people are conservative and we feel strange to receive gift from strangers (even unfamiliar neighbors). Of course it's very nice if you sent your neighbors a gift, but what I want to say is that it's not popular in most China cities. I think you should get familiar with them by simple greetings first, then a gift. This seems acceptable to Chinese not giving a gift once they are moving here.

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Answered by Judy | Jun. 24, 2014 11:24

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Hello, my new Chinese neighbours have just moved in and I would really like to make them feel welcome but don't know what to buy or present? Can anybody give me some good ideas please?
Many thanks

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Answered by Sarah | Jun. 24, 2014 21:36

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Judy, you needn't buy any precious gift. The most important thing is to let them feel your sincerity. I think some local food or specialties are ok if they have kids.

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Answered by RP | Nov. 27, 2014 18:11

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Well, it's good to get accustomed to your location no matter what your tradition. Perhaps stepping out of the box a little and giving gifts to your neighbor is a great place to start after all, you don't need to communicate in the mother language to get the point across. I say any gift will suffice and anyone/everyone seeing the gesture should hopefully respond graciously.

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Answered by A2 | Sep. 17, 2018 08:33

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I gave my asian neighbors that don't speak English an aloe Vera plant as a gift they seemed very happy to receive it... They are very nice people always saying hello and that's about it but all around great neighbors...

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Answered by me | Sep. 18, 2019 10:47

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the point is the Chinese, or any other culture, moved into a new environment. that environment, where ever it is. Should be proud of their culture and customs. If I moved to China, I would love to know the customs and traditions and I would feel ignorant if I said.... well we don't do that back in my country. it's a positive not a negitive to give a gift to anybody in any place, while smiling and saying hello. I mean, isnt they way where you are the reason somebody moved there, why change it... unless there is an alteriave motive, it should be great.

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