Gifts and cultural differences
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31365)
Denmark
February 1, 2016 5:01pm CST
In Denmark we usually open gifts in front of the giver. When we receive gifts we open them immediately, and in my country people would find it a little strange or impolite if we didn't open the gifts right away.
I used to be a volunteer language teacher for a family from Burma (Myanmar). The family has lived in Denmark for 7 years. They have left language school and I am not their teacher anymore, but I am still friends with them, and we visit eachother sometimes. Some ago I bought a gift for their daughter. My friends thanked me for the gift and put it away without opening it. They opened it after I had left and that it is the polite thing to do in their culture. Some of my Japanese friends do the same thing when they receive gifts.
What is it like in your country? Do you open gifts in front of the giver or do you open gifts when the giver has left? Is it considered polite or impolite to open gifts immediately and why is it polite or impolite?
12 people like this
12 responses
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
4 Feb 16
We might also save the gift if it is a birthday gift or christmas gift, but in most cases we open gifts immediately. The giver usually wants to see our reaction when we open the gift.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb 16
@Porcospino I agree - watching the reaction is part of the joy of giving.
2 people like this
@IreneVincent (15960)
• United States
2 Feb 16
For me, it depends on the situation. Usually, if someone gives me a gift, I open it in front of them, if I think that's what they want me to do. But, at other times, I might wait and open it later. I think it depends more on what you think the giver wants you to do, rather than it being considered polite or impolite and it also depends on the situation.
I have even asked the giver: "Do you want me to open this now?"
But, I clearly understand that different cultures have varying ideas about opening gifts.
3 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
4 Feb 16
@IreneVincent @tallawah
I think that it is a good idea to ask what the giver wants.We tend to open gifts immediately without asking the giver. That seems to be the common thing to do here, and if we asked the giver the answer would be "Yes, of course" 
When my friends from Burma didn't open the gift that I gave them I was surpriced because my other friends and my relatives open gifts right away.
When my friends from Burma didn't open the gift that I gave them I was surpriced because my other friends and my relatives open gifts right away.1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
2 Feb 16
I wonder whether it is the same in Asia. I am from China, and here we also don't open the gifts immediately. We will open it when the giver is left. We think it is rude and impolite to open the gifts in front of the giver. It will be regarded as greedy.
2 people like this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
4 Feb 16
@Porcospino I know. This is the culture difference. I remember in the past an American teacher gave me a present but I didn't open it right away
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
7 Feb 16
@youless How did your teacher react when you didn't open the gift right away?
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
4 Feb 16
It is interesting that you see it as impolite or greedy to open gifts in front of the giver. Here some people find it impolite if you don't open gifts immediately (the giver might get the impression that you aren't interested in the gift and don't appreciate it if you don't open it immediately)
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
7 Feb 16
My friends from Japan do the same thing. They open gifts when the giver has left and they thank the giver later. In my country we usually open gifts in front of the giver.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
9 Feb 16
It works both ways in the USA! As I child I opened my gifts,at parties, while everyone was there--as an adult I don't as I don't want to embarrass people who can't afford a gift or people who might not have the money as someone else has and therefore can't afford an 'elaborate' gift. I appreciate any gift I get and I would rather write a Thank You note doing just that.
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
9 Feb 16
I think that is a great attitude. I also appreciate any gift that I get. I have friends who can't afford to buy expensive gifts, but the price is not important to me. I am happy that they bought something for me or created a handmade gift for me 
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
4 Feb 16
We do the same thing. We sometimes save the gifts and open them on our birthdays, but in most cases we open gifts immediately.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381950)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb 16
@Porcospino If I've gone to some trouble to choose and wrap a nice gift I quite like the person to open it while I'm around.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
7 Feb 16
@JudyEv I also like that. Some of my friends from Asia told me that they didn't open gifts in front of the giver because they didn't want to hurt the giver's feelings (in case their face reveals that they got disappointed or didn't like the gift)
1 person likes this
@alchemistrx (2547)
• Philippines
2 Feb 16
We open gifts either or in front or later.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
9 Feb 16
It is not polite to open the gift in front of the giver in most Asian societies.
This is meant to prevent comparison of the monetary value of gifts.
If someone gives you a book, and another person gives you a diamond earring, the viewers will wow the diamond earrings, and ignore the book.
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
1 Feb 16
Over here you can do either, you can open it and discuss about the gift or you can say " let's open it later after we have eaten blah blah..let's have coffee first...
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
1 Feb 16
It is interesting that you can do both things. Here people would think that you were a bit strange if you said that you would open the gift later. They would say: "Come on, open it now"
1 person likes this
@TypicalRussian (747)
• Budennovsk, Russian Federation
2 Feb 16
i can't say exactly. It depends. wedding presents are always opened later. maybe it depends on person's character too. emotional person may open a present in front of you and a shy person will do it later
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
4 Feb 16
In Denmark we often place wedding gifts on a table and open them after dinner. I think that it is true that our personalities affects the way that we behave. A shy person would often prefer to open gifts later.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
9 Feb 16
That is true. It the same way here. People usually expect us to open gifts immediately so that they can see our reaction when we open the gifts.
1 person likes this
@sgbrown (1638)
• United States
9 Feb 16
@Porcospino Watching the recipients face light up when they see the gift is the joy of gift giving!
