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1.

Egyptian Customs and Traditions

Egypt is predominately a Muslim country and, as such, many Muslims see it as a nice gesture if a foreign non-Muslim person gives them a greeting at the beginning of Ramadan.

If you are ever invited to the home of a Muslim family, do not take alcohol as a gift unless you are sure that they drink.

2.

Solid Gold Bathtub

Back in 2013, American boxer Mike Tyson bought his then-wife, actor Robin Givens, a 24-carat solid gold bathtub that was estimated to be worth over $2 million at the time. The item was gifted by Tyson to Givens as a birthday gift and was intended to be installed in their mansion in Ohio.

3.

Chinese Gift Giving Superstitions

The world’s most populous country is steeped in tradition and culture. This extends to the giving and receiving of gifts, which can be confusing to the western eye.

It is traditional for a person of Chinese origin to refuse a gift two or three times before accepting it. This is their way of expressing modesty and good manners and does not necessarily mean that they do not like the gift.

In China, if receiving a gift, there is the expectation that a gift will be given in return. This is something that the Chinese learn from being small children and is the epitome of the practice of giving and receiving.

Be careful of the types of gifts that you give to the Chinese. Their culture is steeped in symbolism and certain gifts that may appear to be harmless to the western mind might actually offend.

Some inappropriate gifts for Chinese include knives, scissors or letter openers as these are seen to symbolise the severance of a relationship.

Clocks are also an inappropriate gift as in many Chinese dialects, the phrase “give clock” sounds too similar to the phrase “see off into death”.

Handkerchiefs are considered inappropriate as they tend to symbolise crying and funerals.

Finally, any gifts that come as a set of four are discouraged unless they are offered as two pairs. The reason for this is that the number 4 is considered unlucky in Chinese culture. In fact, many building in China omit not only the 13th floor but also any floors containing the number 4.

In China, birthdays aren’t traditionally celebrated before reaching the age of 60.

Money given in a red envelope is lucky and prosperous in China. Children normally tuck red envelopes under their pillow for 7 nights to bring good luck.

4.

A Waterfall… and an Island

After bemoaning how difficult it was finding the right present for fellow actor Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie gifted her then-partner an actual waterfall — and the surrounding land — for Christmas in 2012. The gesture was inspired by Pitt’s love of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, which Pitt had become taken with when the couple visited Fallingwater, a house designed for the Kaufmann family that sits over a 30-foot waterfall in southwest Pennsylvania.

In purchasing the waterfall and parcel of land, it was intended that Pitt would design and build his own house in homage to Wright’s marvel. Jolie later outdid herself for Pitt’s 50th birthday when she subsequently bought him a small island. On the island, the only two houses that existed were designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright himself.

5.

India Gift Giving Customs

In India, left hands are seen as unclean. Therefore, any gestures such as passing money or gifts should be done with the right hand.

In contradiction to a lot of other cultures, odd numbers are actually considered good luck. For example, giving £11 is preferable to giving £10.

6.

Native American Gift Giving Etiquette

In Native America the ritual of gifting is exactly the opposite to that of any other culture. Traditionally during both weddings and powwow celebrations (birthdays aren’t always recognised), guests are actually the receivers of gifts rather than the host.