Case study

One book that introduces Chinese culture to Westerners gives the following advice about gift:”our advice to anyone who lives or works with the Chinese is that they assiduously avoid giving or receiving highly expensive gifts, for exchange of such items will probably involve an ongoing series of obligations that they will find burdensome if not downright troublesome. ” “Direct refusal of a gift is a fearful thing to do in any culture and perhaps especially so in Chinese culture where face-consciousness plays a major role.Nevertheless, expensive gifts must be refused. ”

Questions:

1. Interview a classmate to see what he/she thinks of this advice. Find out:

a) Whether your classmate agrees or disagrees with the statement;

b) whether your classmate would modify it in some way.

2. Small group task: Should I open it now?