Hello,
Next week I will have an important meeting with notable Chinese Guest from China - president of a huge construction company in China. The meeting will be in London...
I really want to leave a good hunch... so what kind of gift I can give him? What you reccomend me?
Obviously it wont be a expensive one.
Any ideas?

Thanks a million in advance,
Martin

Replying to [Brindow]:
in my opinion,you'd better take a gift represent your culture.Not much money,only a characterstic gift as private gift.

Replying to [Brindow]:
in my opinion,you'd better take a gift represent your culture.Not much money,only a characterstic gift as private gift.

Hi Brindow:


Giving of gifts, inviting them for dinner and drinking is a common phenomena for our business in our Customer-relationship.

It has to depend very much on the Culture of the people coming over, even for Chinese, the culture differs with the place where they are coming from, and the type of business you are doing.


Generally, there are taboos and preferences by most Chinese. The taboos are the things which you must not give to the guests and the things which you must not do.


Let me share our own experiences. We went to Philippines, Manila, and there is one company manager, who wanted to bring a German Export Manager and I to a Strip-tease show. We declined politely and diplomatically.

Same incident in Philippines, a company gave us each a mini urn, with red ribbons attached. This contains the ash of the volcano which erupted last month. My boss, left it in the hotel waste paper basket and was offended by it. The Chinese people have urns of the ashes of their dead ancestors, and this has bad connotations.


The other taboos is not to give them face, where Chinese people always say: "Give me some face". When you are giving the gifts, find out their protocol, and how many of them are coming. Address the number one person correctly and treat him with higher honor than his subordinates, never joke with him at his expense amongst his troupe. If he is with interpreter, do not speak in metaphor or idioms.


Preferential gifts are: pens, writing instruments, artifacts, displays of model ships, dolphins, clocks, paper-weights, bottle of wine, or electronic organizer. It is based on the budget and the amount of transactions you are getting for this customer.


Street Smart

Replying to [Brindow]: Don't send the clock to Chinese people

Replying to [Brindow]:

Chinese are traditionally superstitious, those high lighted by Street Smart is very useful. I guess the first gift probably you will hand over to him is your business card. Chinese or most Asian give and receive business card with two hands, they are quite particular about this, never leave it around, you can put it in your file or pocket, never roll it or play with it, as that is consider as “never give face”

Anything associated with number 4 is consider bad luck, because this number’s pronunciation in just a tonal away from “death” and hence is regard as bad luck.
Any gifts or traditional gifts is OK but there are so many small things that can turn a good intention into a bad perception, you can let us what actually you want to give, I am sure there are so many members here will help to evaluate.

Good luck in your business meeting

Replying to [Brindow]:
how about beautiful brocheure introducing Poland or european countires?

or some interesting items with your traditions.

Martin,

Are you building the Olympic stadium or any other building in China?


You can give table clocks with nice moving dolls, like the cuckoo clock with music and chime. I don't know about Poland, but they are very popular in Austria, and Germany.


The reason why you do not give clocks is because of the hint to them that they are late and should keep the time, but that only applies to workers and employees, not the boss.


Some companies give cheap watches, with battery and company's logo on it. Do not give that to the businessman.


Northern Europe has beautiful porcelain dolls, or horses. Such small items are ideal for gifts.


Street Smart

Replying to [Brindow]:
I think that it should be some of the representitive of your country.
Like your country are beautiful and with flower country.
maybe yo can choosing canvas with some beautiful design .
hehe:) it should be decided at your side .
it's have been full of the culture story.
it should have many souvenir items .
also with a small wish card.

Replying to [Brindow]:Aha,a friendly symbol ,doesn`t it??Statu is s good choice.

Thanks a lot all of you!

Frankly said Im a bit nervous

I will buy a beautiful album about my country - I think it will be a good
invitation to Poland.
Thant meeting will held in London in few days. It will be a big conferense with parts lots of distinguee guests from Asia.
I just like to do a good hunch.
Wish me luck!