Righto, have a squiz at this list of stuff you probably shouldn't be handin' over as gifts in Oz... and heaps of other spots around the globe too.
Knives and Scissors
Now, in Argentina and Iran, if you give someone a set of knives or somethin' sharp, they reckon it means you wanna cut ties with 'em – bad juju, that. If someone cops a knife, the old saying goes they gotta chuck you back a coin, like they're buyin' it off ya instead of it bein' a gift. Over in the Netherlands, South Korea, and China, yeah, pointy stuff's a bit of a no-go too.
Flowers
Don't be rockin' up to someone's place in China with chrysanthemums, right? They only use 'em for funerals and chuckin' on graves. Bit grim for a prezzie. And in Russia, always go for an odd bunch of flowers. Even numbers? That's strictly for when someone's kicked the bucket.
Shoes
In China and some of those Latin American countries, givin' someone shoes can be like sayin', "Right, get your trotters movin' outta here." Plus, let's be real, unless you know their exact shoe size and what they're into, you're probably gonna get it wrong anyway. Shoes are a pretty personal thing.
Watches
China and Japan, listen up. Handin' a watch to an older bloke or sheila can come across like you're reminding them their time's ticking away. Not exactly gonna put a smile on their dial.
Handkerchiefs
In China and Egypt, hankies are seen as a symbol of tears and sadness. Not the kind of vibes you wanna be sendin' with a gift.
Wine
Germany's a bit funny about the plonk. If you don't know someone that well, givin' 'em wine might look like you're hintin' they've got a bit of a problem with the grog. Awkward!
Mirrors
The Chinese have got heaps of superstitions about mirrors, so best to steer clear of those as a gift.
4-Pack Things
Yeah, in China, the word for "four" sounds pretty much the same as the word for "death." Enough said, eh?
Tobacco
Bhutan's got a strict no-tobacco rule, so don't go causin' trouble by bringin' it over as a gift.
Fruits
And lastly, in China, pears are a no-no 'cause the word for "pear" sounds just like "separation." Not the kinda message you wanna send with a fruit bowl.
So there ya go. Now you're in the know! Have a crack at our collections, we reckon our Be Marsupial gear is fair dinkum perfect for givin' as gifts anywhere on this big ol' planet!
