Gift giving is universal but not every culture has the same tradition. Gift symbolism and mannerism is a big part of Chinese culture. Here is a list of items you should never give to a Chinese as gift.

1. Clock/Table Clock-

Giving an object that keeps/measures time is considered an abomination in Chinese culture. In mandarin “giving a clock as gift/present’ is translated as 送钟 (sòng zhōng), which sounds just like the words for being at a funeral ritual, 送终 (sòng zhōng). The clock symbolizes time is passing by or time is running out. If a Chinese gives you a clock as a gift, better look for the nearest airport and leave the country. Do not give Clocks as a gift in China.

2. Umbrella

Giving an umbrella as a gift in China very bad omen because Chinese translation sounds like “fall apart or lose”. The word for an umbrella in Mandarin, 伞 (sǎn), sounds just like the word for loose or fall apart, 散 (sǎn), thus representing that the relationship with the recipient has ended.

3. Mirrors

Mirrors are thought to attract ghosts in Asia. So it’s believed that giving a mirror as a gift cause the recipients to change for the worse.

4. The Number 4

5. Handkerchief- A symbol of goodbye forever

Generally, people give handkerchief at the end of a funeral. So giving a Chinese handkerchief as a gift insinuates you’re saying goodbye forever.