Gifting in The Land of the Rising Sun
On the way to the airport, I stopped at the 99 Cent Store for some last-minute items: Disposable razors, a stick of deodorant and 20 small pencil sharpeners in the shape of a globe.
While the former two items are necessities no hygienic business traveler can do without, the sharpener lot was to cause an even greater impact during my trip to Tokyo since these modest trinkets would serve as gifts to my hosts and I knew they would be appreciated.
I haven't always been so confident as gift-giving in Japan is a complex issue.
Take my initial venture.
I had been invited to Japan to attend the opening of a new Tokyo hotel. So, in the spirit of the event, I decided to take along some copies of a new book I had written on California. I thought this would be appropriate since I had learned that some of the hotel's staff would soon be setting off on a sales tour of the States. As the books were bulky, I could squeeze only five copies into my luggage.
At the opening reception, I happily started handing out my gifts.
Big mistake.
Eight Japanese executives were attending this event.
Japanese etiquette dictates you must give every one of your Japanese hosts a gift if you are going to give a gift at all. And, when you do, you should begin with the top person of the firm and work your way down the ladder when bearing gifts. So, instead of endearing myself to these gracious people, I had made great strides in the opposite direction.
Of course, I apologized profusely, but I'm afraid the damage had been done.
That is why I now look for inexpensive items (like those global pencil sharpeners) when I am headed for the Land of the Rising Sun. Then, I buy them in bulk so I am always prepared to extend an appropriate gift to each and every one of my Japanese counterparts.
Following are some more tips and hints on gift-giving in Japan:
1. Presentation is very important. Always wrap your gift before you give it, but don't use white, black or red paper. These colors carry unsavory connotations. When in doubt, seek out your friendly hotel concierge to help you properly prepare the present.
2. It is gauche to give gifts carrying your company logo in Japan. Instead, stick to a memento that's strictly American -- be that maple syrup from Vermont or a bottle of California wine.
3. Do not offer a knife to your host. In Japan, that gesture is tantamount to severing a friendship, not building one.
4. It is important to give a gift if you are visiting a company for the first time. Still, don't be too anxious. Present your present after the meeting, not before.
5. When giving the gift, make a slight bow and give the present with both hands.
6. Don't give up if your gift is not accepted during the first try. Many Japanese are known to refuse a gift the first (and sometimes the second) time it is offered.
7. If at all possible, give the same gift to each person. If you cannot arrange for that kind of uniformity, be sure to give the best (most valuable) gift to the most senior person in the group.
8. Don't be extravagant. If you decide to give a present in Japan, realize that the recipient may feel he or she has to reciprocate with something of equal value.
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