Wrapped with Care, Opened with Caution: A Cultural Story

A cultural misunderstanding wrapped in ribbon and good intentions.

Gift-giving is one of those universal practices that seems simple - until culture gets involved. 

When my in-laws visited my parents in Taiwan for the first time, they brought presents as a kind gesture. My parents received them with warm smiles, thanked them graciously - and then promptly placed the gifts to the side. 

No unwrapping. No peeking. Not even a curious shake of the box. 

My in-laws, who come from a Western background, were understandably puzzled. In many Western cultures, opening a gift on the spot is part of the ritual. You unwrap it in front of the giver, express your delight (or fake it convincingly), and maybe even share a few stories or jokes about the item. It’s all part of the moment - a way to acknowledge the gesture and show your appreciation instantly. 

But here in Taiwan, things work a little differently. 

Opening a gift in front of the person who gave it to you can be considered a bit impolite. The concern is that it might seem like you're judging the gift on the spot - too eager, too focused on what’s inside rather than appreciating the sentiment behind it. 

This practice is deeply connected to the concept of “face” in East Asian cultures - where preserving social harmony and avoiding potential embarrassment for either party takes precedence over immediate gratification. 

Instead, the polite thing to do is to receive the gift, thank the giver sincerely, and wait until later - at home or in private - to unwrap it and appreciate it fully. It’s not about being distant or ungrateful. Quite the opposite. It’s a gesture of respect - putting the relationship above the object. 

Of course, for someone unfamiliar with this custom, the moment can be a little confusing. From the outside, it might even seem as if the gift didn’t matter. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Years later, when my in-laws brought up this anecdote, I realized they had been puzzled for a long time - and had only recently come to understand why my parents had set their gifts aside that day. It had never occurred to me that this small cultural difference had lingered in their minds for so long. 

It’s a simple example of how cultural norms can subtly shift the tone of a familiar interaction - and a gentle reminder that even the most universal gestures, like giving and receiving a gift, can carry very different meanings depending on where you are. 

So, the next time you give someone a gift in Taiwan and they don’t unwrap it in front of you - don’t take it personally. They’re just being polite. And later, when they open it, they’ll be just as touched by your thoughtfulness. 

They might even save the wrapping paper.