Gift Giving Etiquette in Singapore: Know Your Host’s Culture to Give the Correct Gift Singapore is a multiethnic society comprising of Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities. Though the country is small, but it is densely populated with people from all over the world. The population of Singapore comprises 76% Chinese, 15% Malay, and 6% Indian cultures. In
Singapore, gift giving is a common way of expressing thanks, and customary during the festive seasons. Each ethnic community shares different gift giving traditions. So, it becomes
imperative for you to know about your host’s cultural heritage to give them the correct gift. Chinese in Singapore: Gift Giving Etiquette
Do not give clocks, white candles and joss sticks as these items are associated with funeral in Chinese culture.
You can present a gift of money but make sure you only give even numbers/amounts of bills in a red envelope.
Chinese consider number ‘8’ as lucky number while number ‘4’ is associated with the word ‘die’. So, when you are presenting a gift that has something to do with numbers, choose anything in sets of 8 and not 4.
Do not give items that are used for cutting such as knives, scissors, daggers, and penknives as they symbolize that you want end the relationship with them.
Some of the best gifts that are well received by Chinese people include wallet, belt, chocolate, coffee, perfumes and clothing.
Malays in Singapore: Gift Giving Etiquette
Malays accept gifts with pleasure and will often reciprocate. There are many cultural factors to consider when you plan to give your Malay friend or colleague the perfect gift.
Candies and toys are best gifts for children. Avoid giving these items to Malays: alcohol, perfumes containing alcohol, pork or food products containing pig gelatin or pigskin.
Offer gifts with the right hand or both hands if the item is large. Avoid wrapping the gift item in white paper as it symbolizes death. Malays prefer green, so you can wrap your present in green.
Festive gift sets such as chocolate baskets or coffee gift hampers are practical gift ideas for a Malay host.