There can be little doubt that the wrong wedding gift cannot only make you look bad, but potentially even ruin the mood. The job of giving a wedding gift is made even trickier by the fact that there is no one universal standard. A gift, which may be loved in one country or culture, may seem very inappropriate in another. In fact, what may seem like the simple act of giving a clock or an umbrella, for example, may be offensive for some. Place such cultural sensitivities at the top of your list when you are selecting wedding gifts for the lucky couple.

Etiquette for Wedding and Bridesmaid Gifts

1. When is a pre-engagement gift a bad idea? The answer is when you are in Malaysia, as it will be seen as a bribe.

2. Cows are sacred animals in India. Keep this in mind when you are handing out wedding gifts as well. A gift made out of leather or beef, probably isn’t such a great wedding gift under these circumstances.

3. If you are presenting a bridesmaid gift in the Middle East, please use your right hand. Failure to do so will be taken as an insult.

4. Items such as alcoholic beverages and pigskin footballs should be taken off your list of candidates for a groomsmen gift if your friend is of the Muslim faith.

5. Clocks may seem like a pretty safe bet, after all, who doesn’t need to tell time? But in China clocks are related to the word and concept of death.

6. The humble handkerchief might seem like a nice gift, but in much of the world it is frowned upon because it conjures up the notion of crying and sadness.

7. In Japan you always want to bring an uneven number of wedding gifts. This way the gifts cannot be divided between the bride and groom.

8. In China and Latin America, you are likely to receive a penny if you give someone a knife. This way the knife isn’t a gift as gift knives are frowned upon in those two cultures.

9. When the time comes to present your bridesmaid’s gifts in Japan or Hong Kong, be sure that you are using both hands. It is also best if you deliver your wedding or bridesmaid’s gifts in person if your friend or acquaintance is Japanese. Failure to do so would be deemed a social misstep.

Giving wedding gifts, or any kind of gift, can become complicated when one is venturing into a new culture. But don’t sweat it. Learn about the customs and act accordingly.