Abstract Nowadays, with the rapid development of the increasing economy and cultural exchanges, there is no doubt that giving gifts, as one of the important means of social activities, is becoming a common social phenomenon either in China or other countries. But to whom should people send gifts? What kinds of gifts are suitable for gifts? How to send gifts appropriately? The answers to these questions depend on the specific situations. These situations include the selection of gifts, gift-giving objects, the ways of giving gifts and the taboos of giving gifts. Giving gifts is more complicated between Chinese and westerners due to the existence of cultural differences. The thesis compares Chinese and American different ways of giving gifts and discusses the cultural differences leading to different gift-giving customs. Better understanding the Sino-American cultural differences contributes to a better cross-cultural exchange and avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings in the process of intercultural communication.55763

Keywords: giving gifts; etiquettes; cultural differences

摘要在经济日益发展的今天，无论是在中国还是世界的其他国家，作为社交活动中的重要手段之一，送礼都是一种常见的社会现象。送什么？送给谁？如何送？对这些问题的回答要视具体情况而定。这些情况包括礼品的选择、送礼的对象、送礼的方式和禁忌。由于存在文化差异的问题，中西方之间的送礼问题更加复杂。本文对比了中美不同的送礼方式，以及送礼习俗体现的文化差异。了解中美文化的差异有助于人们更好地进行跨文化交流，避免在跨文化交际过程中产生不必要的误会。

毕业论文关键词：送礼；礼仪；文化差异

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 2

3. The Cultural Differences of Giving Gifts between Chinese and American Etiquettes 3

3.1 Differences in the Choices of Gifts 3

3.2 Differences in the Occasions to Give Gifts 3

3.3 Differences in the Objects of Giving Gifts 4

3.4 Differences in the Modes of Giving Gifts 5

3.5 Differences in the Taboos of Giving Gifts 5

4. Factors Contributing to Cultural Differences of Giving Gifts between Chinese and American Etiquettes 7

4.1 Collectivism vs. Inpidualism 7

4.2 Chinese Positive Face vs. American Negative Face 7

4.3 Humility vs. Confidence 8

4.4 High Context Culture vs. Low Context Culture 9

5. Suggestions for Giving Gifts in Better Ways in Intercultural Communications 9

6. Conclusion 11

Works Cited 12

1. Introduction

With the deepening of the world economic integration, China’s exchanges with the United States have entered into a new stage. Especially since China joined the WTO, the contacts in the economy between China and the US are increasing day by day. Meanwhile, the Chinese and Americans have carried a wide range of cross-cultural communications in various fields. As a common etiquette, giving gifts to each other is inevitable in social interactions. Such activities convey emotions or sincerity of people so cooperation can be strengthened and friendships can be developed. Recognizing this, we will know the gift is not only for social needs, the gift itself will also bring us many benefits. In addition, we should admit that due to the huge differences between Chinese and American cultures and values, many people will have a lot of confusions in the treatment of gift itself and the way of giving gifts in international communications.