Let's talk about gift-giving in your culture. On what occasions do people receive gifts in your culture?

In my culture, many of our social interactions involve gift-giving. Of course, at holidays like Christmas and Easter we exchange gifts. We also give birthday gifts to loved ones. However, we also do something that may or may not be common in other cultures: we always bring a gift to the host when we are invited to someone's home. We are very conscious of showing our gratitude to someone who has opened their home to us, so we like to reciprocate with some type of present.

What kind of things do people give as gifts on these occasions?

The gifts we bring to people's homes can be sweets, wine, flowers or sometimes even a good luck trinket for the home. The closer the relationship, the greater the price of the gift typically.

What is more satisfying, gift-giving or receiving? Why?

Everyone loves to receive gifts of course, but in my culture, when someone gives you something, you are then indebted to them, and this obligation can be somewhat stressful. For that reason, I find it more rewarding to give a gift, especially if it is to someone I love and I see that they enjoy what I have given them. That feeling is better than any gift you could receive.

What are some things people shouldn't give as gifts?

We have a superstition in my country which says you shouldn't give perfume. Supposedly, if someone buys you perfume, you will get into a fight with them. The way to avoid this is for the recipient to quickly give the gift-giver a coin –of small or large value– to avoid the fight.

Other than that, I think gifts should be selected with the recipient in mind. Anything that shows a complete disregard for the person should be avoided. So, if you know someone is a staunch animal rights activist, it is utterly insensitive to buy them fur or even leather products.