But there are also items that are considered unlucky, especially when given as a present. Giving the wrong present can risk ill will for years to come.
Below are five things you should never give as a gift according to Chinese superstitions and customs.
1. Timepieces
While watches are commonly given as gifts in the West, in Chinese culture it is considered a faux pas to give someone an object that tells time.
This is because in Cantonese and Mandarin, song zhong โ meaning โto gift a clockโ โ sounds like โto gift the endโ, which refers to the ritual of sending someone off at the end of their life.
Accordingly, giving a timepiece โ whether a wristwatch, a pocket watch, a vintage grandfather clock or a modern alarm clock โ means you wish death upon the recipient.
If you receive a timepiece as a present, you can avoid misfortune by giving a nominal amount of money to the giver to indicate you are not receiving a gift but rather paying for the object.