Business gifts
Gift giving is a common way of expressing thanks. Small business-related gifts such as a pen with the company logo would be sufficient. Gifts are typically wrapped, presented and received with two hands, and opened after the presenter leaves. Gifts with connotation of severance or cutting, such as scissors, are not appropriate as they symbolize conflict. Letter-openers however are an exception. For the Chinese, the number 4 rhymes with the word for death meaning that it is important not to give anything in a set of four. Clocks are also considered inappropriate gifts, as the Chinese expression for ‘giving clock’ has connotations to death. For your Malay associates, avoid products made from pigskin and alcohol as these goods contravene the laws of Islam.