漂亮
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Showing posts with label Gift Giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gift Giving. Show all posts
This Chinese proverb comes from a tale in the Tang Dynasty. It is all about 'A gift of Sincere Wishes'. A man called Mian Bogao offering the emporer some goose feathers as a gift. The full story is below to give an explaination of why this proverb has such a strong meaning in Chinese culture. you may also be interested in the Chinese practise of giving gifts.
千里送鵝毛
qiān lǐ sòng ér máo
A goose feather sent from afar
qiān lǐ sòng ér máo
A goose feather sent from afar
Gift-giving is an important part of Chinese tradition and culture. Whatever the various forms of gift-wrapping, such as boxes, trays, envelopes, etc. However, there is also a traditional custom to attach a feather with or on the gift. This defines the gift as Qian-li-song-er-mao, literally, a swan feather from a thousand miles: meaning a gift which may be small but, carries with it the sincere wishes of the sender.
During the Tang dynasty (唐朝 táng cháo), 618-906 A.D., there was a local official who gave orders to one of his attendants to take a swan to the Emperor as a gift. The attendant, saw that the swan needed to be cleaned. On the way he took the swan to the river’s edge and took it out of the cage to give it a bath when the swan escaped and flew away, leaving only a feather behind.
The servant knew he needed to accomplish his assigned task. Not knowing what else he could do, presented the feather with a slip of paper bearing a poem, reading:
千里送鵝毛 (qiān lǐ sòng ér máo) A swan’s feather from a thousand miles away
禮輕情意重 (lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng) An insignificant gift, with it the sincere wishes of the sender.
The emperor was impressed by Mian's sincerity and proclaimed himself satisfied with the present. This incident is remembered in the saying qiān lĭ sòng ér máo, meaning, “to walk a thousand li and present a feather as a gift.” Li is a measure of distance, which is equal to about half a kilometer. Qiān lĭ, or a thousand li, is an expression that means “really far.” Sòng is the verb meaning “to give,” and máo means feather.
Therefore, the feather became the symbol for this expression which may be attached to a gift bearing the reminder of a thoughtful gift. Qiān lĭ sòng ér máo, it's the thought, not the gift, that truly matters.
Giving gifts is an important part of Chinese tradition. This custom ranges from a house-warming gift to rites of passage, important events and festivals. Giving and receiving gifts plays a big part in maintaining guanxi, or good relations, and this principle applies to personal as well as business relationships.
The Chinese believe that a gift is in the thought, rather than the expense or extravagance of a gift. This way of thinking came about because the receiver will feel a big debt of gratitude if a gift is too much. There is almost a game to play when it comes to gift giving. If you are the giver, it is important that you present the gift with both hands and to downplay the value of what you are giving. If you are receiving the gift, you should act as if you think you do not deserve a present and politely refuse a few times, before accepting the gift. Remember that to refuse a gift is the height of rudeness because it shows that you are overlooking the gift-giver's sincere gesture. However to take the gift immediately is a sign of a person’s greed.
This also serves as a second lesson; never take a Chinese person's 'No, thank you' literally, if they still refuse after twice, it may be worth asking a third time. Good manners and respect for one another characterizes the Chinese practice of giving and receiving presents. The rules of the game also say that presents are not to be opened right away. This is to show that it is not the present, but the gesture that matters. This also helps avoid awkward situations in case the gift does not really please the receiver.
