Gifts

Q1.Are there any unlucky things that people should not buy as gifts in your country?

Ans:Yes, in my country, India, there are some things that people consider unlucky to give as gifts. For example, giving a watch is sometimes associated with the end of a relationship, while giving sharp objects like knives or scissors is believed to bring bad luck. Some people also avoid giving black-coloured items on special occasions. However, these beliefs vary from family to family. Personally, I think the intention behind a gift is more important than these superstitions.

Q2.What do people usually consider when buying gifts?

Ans:I think people usually think about whether the gift is right for the person, especially if they know them well. They think about the person's personality and interests because they want to buy something they will actually use. For example, if someone likes cooking, they might buy them a kitchen gadget instead of something just for decoration. They also think about how close they are to the person because this can affect how much they spend and what kind of gift they choose. They might spend more money on something special for a close friend or family member, but choose something cheaper and more simple for a colleague.

Q3.Which do people give on traditional festivals, money or other kinds of gifts?

Ans:I think money is a popular choice because people can use it in different ways. They can spend it on something they want or save it for later. It's also a good option if people don't know what to buy someone, because they don't have to choose a specific gift. And I think it's especially useful for younger people, as they can decide what they want to buy. But traditional gifts can be more special than money because they're often connected to a particular festival or tradition. For example, people might give traditional food, sweets or something handmade. These things can feel more special because they're part of the celebration. So I'd say both are quite common, depending on the festival and the people involved

Q4.Why is it sometimes difficult to buy or choose a gift for someone?

Ans:Well, I guess one of the reasons is that the giver has no idea what to buy to please the giftee, which puts a lot of pressure and makes the process of choosing the gift quite challenging. This may happen either because the giftee doesn't have any wishes or because the giver doesn't know anything about the wishes of the giftee. The second reason why choosing a gift for someone may be quite painful is because the giver and the giftee have no interests in common, which makes the giftee really hard to please and the giver really anxious about choosing the right present. I also can't help mentioning the time factor as it's really time-consuming to find a great present, and regrettably, nowadays many people are pressed for time. Also, the budget of the giver may be too tight for buying what the giftee would be happy to receive, which also makes the process of choosing the right gift more complicated. These are the main reasons, I guess.

Q5.Is the price of a gift important?

Q6.Will people feel happy when receiving an expensive gift?

Ans:Well, I wouldn't say it is. At least, it seems to me that most people are not concerned with the monetary value of a gift. For the majority of people, the gift is simply a thoughtful gesture, and it is inherent symbolism or emotional significance that matters while whether the gift is cheap or expensive is often secondary. Though, I think there are cases when the price of a gift is of the utmost importance. I mean holidays when people exchange gifts with each other. On this occasion, there should be some kind of implicit agreement for a budget according to which everyone should try to give a gift. To my mind, it will prevent people from conflicts and negative emotions as everyone will know that they have given gifts equal in value to the gifts received.

Q7.Do you like giving gifts?

Q8.Why do people give gifts?

Q9.When do people normally send gifts to others?

Ans:Oh, yes, I really enjoy gift-giving because it is a perfect way to strengthen bonds with others showing interest and appreciation, expressing gratitude or apology and just letting other people know that I care. I like to bring joy and pleasure to people raising a smile on their faces and fulfilling their small dreams. Even a little present can cheer a person up because it is love and care that matter but not the present itself.

Q10.What gifts are popular in your country?

Ans:Well, I guess it depends on the age and gender of the receiver, first of all. If the receiver is a woman, then quite popular gifts in my country are arts, I mean drawings, paintings, photographs and prints, or home decor items, for example, candles, vases, figurines and even home fragrances. I'd also mention wines, gift food baskets and accessories such as scarves, umbrellas, wallets or gloves. If the receiver is a man, the most popular gifts are electronics items, for example, smart watches, video games or wireless earbuds. I'd also add such gifts as desktop items. I mean pen clips or holders, pencil sharpeners or ashtrays. It's also quite popular to give men strong spirits, glassware and accessories such as belts, keyrings and wallets. Oh, and good books, of course, too. If the giver and the receiver have close relationships, the list of popular gifts can also include perfumes, makeup and skincare products, jewellery, kitchen appliances and even spa gift certificates. That's how it's going in my country these days.

Q11.What factors do parents consider when choosing a gift for children?

Ans:Well, to my mind, the first factor parents take into account is the occasion. Keeping it in mind, they then set the budget and get to the next important factor which is the needs of their child. Thinking about the needs of the kid parents also think about their kids' likes and dislikes, their interests at that specific period of time, their habits and, of course, their dreams. Considering all of them, parents make their final choice usually balancing between what a child really wants and needs. I guess it happens this way, at least in the families with kids that I know.