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6 differences between gift culture & manners of Japan and overseas

One of the customs of Japan, foreigners can not easily get used to it, is the custom of gifts. As foreigners live in Japan, the custom of gifts in Japan is a culture, and the frequency of giving gifts is much higher than in foreign countries. Otoshidama, summer gift(Ochugen), winter gift(Oseibo), plus Christmas, valentine day and more. Also, if a child is born nearby, it starts with birthday celebration, Shichigosan, entrance congratulation, graduation congratulation, adult ceremony, marriage, passing examination of entrance examinations, new building celebrations, etc.

In addition to being more frequent, in Japan there are strict manners of gifts and many implicit rules, so it is a rather confusing habit for foreigners who are not used to Japanese life and culture.

Then, is it difficult for foreigners to understand what kind of gift culture in Japan is? So this time, I will present six different gift cultures in Japan and the differences from overseas. Let's explore Japanese mysterious custom seen from overseas.

1.Cash

First of all, the habit of giving cash in Japan is one of the major differences from overseas. In wedding celebration and Otoshidama, in the form of a blessing wrapped in cash at the milestone of life, these actions are rare outside Japan. Of course, there are things that grandparents and parents give money to their children, but there is no special bag or the like to give money, not as formal as Japan does.

Generally speaking overseas gifts are not "money" but "goods", so you may want to list what you want first in some cases. There are not many people thinking that giving cash to gifts is rude manner of gift.

2.Returning gift

In Japan, when you are given a present, it is common to give a gift to that person as a return. Even if your opponent says "Don't worry you don't have to give me a returning gift", as long as it is not very intimate relationship, it is an unspoken rule to give back actually. However, when foreigners say this way, they will take it as they are.

When giving gifts abroad, such as birth celebration, often do not expect to receive celebrations on the receiving side. Therefore, the gift is just a "feeling". Gift receipient appreciates feeling from sender but there is not much obligation to say "I have to return". While being a gift to pass feelings, Japan has its own duty to return it.

3.Souvenir

In Japan, the souvenir industry is larger than overseas, and th number of souvenirs are diverse. That's because Japanese will buy "souvenirs" for their friends and co-workers in business when traveling. Of course, people abroad also give souvenirs, but people commonly buy friends and family members. Moreover, even in this case "It is absolutely necessary to buy" is not. Souvenirs for Westerners are "unexpected gifts", and it seems that there are many people who have an image that Japanese souvenirs are "a gift as a passing ritual".

4.Can I open it?

In Japan, the timing to open a gift varies from person to person. Although there is an opinion that it is favorable impression the person who opens it on the spot to show the reaction for the person who gave a present is a good impression, there is a contrary opinion opening a gift on the spot should avoid because it will require a reaction which is pleased. In Japan, some people want to open immediately on the spot and others want to open up when they go back home because they cannot make a good reaction. Either way, if you can receive a present and open it on the spot, it is preferable to ask "Can I open it?"

On the contrary, it is usual to be able to open it on the spot when receiving a gift outside Japan. It is not necessary to bother to ask.

5.Wrapping paper

In Japan, general Japanese pay attention to details of wrapping paper and wrapping. So, souvenirs from foreigners to Japan are often praised for their perfect wrapping. In Japan, it is a "gift" including wrapping with wrapping paper and ribbon, and when receiving a gift, peel off the tape about the wrapping paper beautifully and open the present. Of course, not all Japanese will do it, but it will be more favorable than breaking wrapping paper openly.

When I receive a gift outside Japan, people break the wrapping paper on the spot as if telling the feeling "I want to open quickly!" They cannot see wrapping paper of a gift. Therefore, when buying Christmas gifts, for example, some people wrap a gift by themselves, but in that case, even compliments can not be said to be beautiful.

6.This is a tiny gift...

In Japan, when giving gifts, I add a word "It's tiny present...". Recently, there seems to be some opinion that it is "formal and old style", "rude manner" "Do not you have to be so humble?" However, in Japan it is more appropriate to say somewhat modestly instead "I bought such a nice thing!". Because the meaning of "It's a tiny gift..." contains "to lighten the burden on the gift recipient". There is also the theory that it has been used to alleviate the feeling of doing "returning and giving back" on the gift recipient's side.

In outside Japan, returning gift is not absolute like in Japan. There is little pressure on the gift sender's side and gift recipient. Therefore, these humility phrases are not used abroad.

Summary

The customs of gifts in Japan are confusing. The gift manners are also complicated even for Japanese people, so it is more to foreigners. I think complex gift culture seems to be Japanese-style. Courtesy and manners relating to gifts clearly express Japanese honest and old people. Japan's gift manners, which are a bit complicated and difficult to understand, seem to reflect the communication of Japanese as it is.

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