In exercise D. on page 52, she asks us to discuss these in relation to aspects of our own and other countries' economies.
Response write on Hartmann's question below.
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Question 3
What are some rules for gift exchange in your culture? For example, what is a typical gift to bring to a dinner party? Do government officials sometimes accept gifts in exchange for their influence? Do people discuss the difference between "gifts" and "bribes"?
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Reference
In Australia, there are a few occasions when gifts are normally given. The obvious one is Christmas, which is a great boost to the Australian economy with almost everyone buying gifts for their loved ones, that is, for family members and friends. Businesses might also give bonus payments at this season, but these are not seen as gifts, and it would be very strange for employees to give a gift to their bosses, unless that boss was retiring and was genuinely well liked and respected, in which case a gift of small value would be appropriate. The symbolic meaning is considered more important than the material value of the gift.
ReplyDeleteBecause of worries about corruption, gifts received by elected officials and public officials are governed by strict rules: they must normally be declared, and in the case of money or similar financial instruments would often be illegal. When an Australian PM receives a gift on an official visit, he must declare the gift and its value, and then has the option of buying it if he wants to keep it - when he receives a gift in his official capacity as Prime Minister of Australia, it is not automatically his to keep, especially if it is of substantial financial value.
If I'm invited to a dinner, I usually take a bottle of wine, or if I know my hosts don't drink, perhaps some special food that they might not otherwise have. And sometimes I might ask in advance if I can bring something for dessert.
DeleteThai people always give gift, especially in special occasions such as birthday, elder meeting, festivals to their relatives and friends. Sometimes they give it to the people who is admired as doctors and teachers. The gift will be something which is not much value such as food, fruit or scarf.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, bribes are valuable things which people will take to someone who has higher power for work position, rights, benefits. The government is not allowed to receive any bribes.
Exactly, we usually see the gift exchanges in Thai culture but different upon situations. If it is just a gift to bring to a dinner party, I think it doesn't matter what the gifts are, just the desirable things for families and friends are acceptable.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if we talk about the gift exchange in case of doing business in Thailand, dealing not only private companies but the government also, it's often called the bribes and the exchange things mostly are a lot of money or in much valuable return.
The law limit the cost of the gift for government officials not more than 3,000 bahts and given only in traditional festival or celebration. And we also have tradition to pick some foods or fruits to visit the relatives or friends. Sometimes government officials also accept the value gift for their power on decision making but in the modest way or not too exposed.
ReplyDeleteI think the difference between Thai and the Western culture is the mentality about the border of private and public benefit, because there is no such a line in tradition culture. I think we all should learn a lot from the Western to live in a modern way.
There are no exactly rules for gift exchange nowsday people usually give money to almost occassions. It's not typical gift to bring to a dinner party, you might not bring anything to the party.It deponds on how close to hosstess.Yes, of course. The government officials often accepte.Yes, of course.
ReplyDeleteprobable, there are no exactly rules for gift exchange in Thai culture, but I think when people bring a present to someone, it should be something that is quite valuable.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I think government officials accept gifts in exchange for their influence. So about "gifts" and "bribes" I think I quite the same if some people give a gift for government officials for their influence.