The Middle East - tips on gift giving

Arabian delights from
www.corporategiftsboston.com

When one thinks of the Middle East, the initial thoughts are of high sand dunes, drifting sands, desert winds, Bedouin tents, Palm trees, Arab travelers on camels, maybe Lawrence of Arabia, riding into the sunset on his camel! Ha! The image of our dreams.

The Middle East of today, although having much sand and all of the above in places, is very much a Cosmopolitan place where traditions go hand in hand with the modern world that we know of in the West. Fifth^th Avenue style shops and boutiques abound in the wonderfully cool, marble filled Malls and plazas gushing with water fountains. This being such a sign of wealth in the Arab world where, lets be honest, in the middle of a desert it would be considered gold.

Although these diverse and multi cultural countries are more and more open to the ways of the West, there are still boundaries that should not be crossed when giving gifts, to avoid offense or insult. The Arabs as a race are very proud and generous people, and are traditionally hospitable. There is still the way of the Bedouin, who would give his last piece of bread to a stranger who visited his campfire, even if it meant his family would go without. In turn we should acknowledge this and be aware of their customs, religious restrictions and family honor. But also note that giving gifts is a way of building relationships and doing business in the Middle East.

Islam is the predominate religion in the Middle East. The doctrines of the Koran forbid alcohol, and flesh of scavenger fish (shellfish, Lobster) and animals (Pork) or birds (ostrich). Be careful if there is a likelihood of these items being contained in food products like hot dogs, pate’s, sausages, or even Lard dripping in pastries. No alcohol and in turn be careful of certain perfumes that may contain alcohol. A great alternative if available is Oudh, which is made from tree oil. It is very popular in much of the Middle East and the Far East. Certain countries may be more tolerant than others, but it is worth noting these items when trying to decide on the correct gift for the right occasion.

Another item to watch is leather goods. Be careful with the type of skin. Pigskin or ostrich although lovely would not be appropriate. Knives are not considered polite as they have a sharp edge, which could be interpreted as a severing of a relationship. Artwork could be difficult if they were sculptures, drawings or paintings of the human body and particularly women. Dogs are considered unclean so no doggy pictures either.

A compass would be perfect for the travelers of the desert lands. Used for checking the direction of Mecca, for the call to prayer each day no matter where he may be traveling to in the World. Silver, crystal, gems, cashmere or high quality leather products of the correct type would be very good choices. Caffeine and nicotine is discouraged in the Koran, but they are hugely popular in the Middle East. In fact coffee shops have a roaring trade, as the scene of much male socializing including smoking whether cigarettes or the shishah ( hookah or hubbly bubbly!)

A Platter of dates, rosewater, nuts, and dried fruit would make wonderful gifts around the time of Ramadan or Eide one of the celebration after the fasting month. Once the Iftar canon is fired at sunset, all Muslims can break their fast and eat. ( See Arabian Delights from Corporate Gifts Boston.)

Once you have made your perfect choice, remember; never give your gift with the left hand. The left hand is used for personal hygiene and would certainly be an insult. If it is a first business meeting, don’t make the gift too lavish, it could be considered a bribe.

And most definitely do not provide a gift for an Arab’s wife if a first meeting! This would be a breach of honor.

The Arab people can make wonderful and lifelong business partners and friends. Taking the time to learn their ways and beliefs will aid you in this journey. In’shallah ! ( God willing)

UK Hampers launch

Simple pleasures from
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We are pleased and proud to announce the launch of our UK hamper range, deliverable directly in the UK with all charges included from our US website. Perfect for all your International corporate gift giving or gifts to family and friends overseas. (Alcohol included in some hampers.) We welcome your thoughts on our expanding range.

One stop shopping in Dubai!

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We welcome our new link partner Quick Dubai, send gifts to friends and family in Dubai! A one stop shopping page for all that is good to buy in this International Emirate. Please peruse the site by visiting our links page.

British hampers ordered from the US

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We will shortly be adding our British hamper collection to our site for easy ordering in the US. Also our US based British or Irish gift hamper for delivery in the US (food only within US). Some include alcohol and prices include delivery. Perfect for corporate or personal gift giving in the UK. Make Corporate gifts Boston your one stop web site for International gift giving in the US!

Dubai Utd Arab Emirates Hampers and gifts

Splendid Oasis from

www.corporategiftsboston.com

We are very pleased to announce the launch of our Dubai Utd Arab Emirates gift hamper range! With an assortment of Arabian, Mediterranean and European delicacies there is something for everyone's gift giving in the UAE. Products can be viewed on our website and paid for in US dollars locally. Gifts to Dubai and beyond cannot be easier. We look forward to serving you.

Watch this space for the next destination that we will be posting.

Father's Day Origins

Third Sunday of June

A Man’s World from - www.corporategiftsboston.com

The first person that probably makes you laugh is your Father! In their awkward attempts to pull funny faces, cradle and croon, any thing to avoid the melancholy ear piercing wail that announces a need for food or a wet diaper! They are the one’s we look to for fixing a broken toy, the one that has the best back to climb, the one that may teach us to ride a bike or play a sport and let’s be honest, no matter what Mother does for us, the one we long to see at the end of the day as our returning hero…….

We look up to them as the future man we intend to be or the future man we intend to marry, in most cases…… They are a tower of strength, admiration and un-conditional love. Daddy…………

This is what Sonora Dodd felt when you came up with the idea of Father’s Day in 1909. She had been listening to a Mother’s day sermon and thought of how her Father had coped when he was left with a new born baby and 5 other children on the death of his wife in childbirth. He was a Father and Mother to herself and her siblings and did so selflessly with all the usual sacrifices that parents make, but all alone.

Her Father’s birthday was in June and she chose that month to hold the first father’s day celebration in Spokane Washington on the 19^th June 1910. It took until 1924, for the then President Calvin Coolidge to recognize the day and support it, but it took until 1972 for Richard Nixon to sign and establish a national observance on the third Sunday in June each year.

Although the third week in June is popular in most countries, it can vary from country to country. In Germany, there is no such thing as father’s day, they celebrate Mannertag –or Herrentag, gentlemens day, and this dates way back. It is celebrated on Ascension day and usually involves a hiking trip, male only and is accompanied with a wagon laden with food and drink, wine and beer. It appears that it may have been a tradition of initiating young men into the ways of intense drinking!

Times have changed, and it is now not just the Mother that nurtures and brings up the children. Families may have both parents working, and Father helps with many of the child rearing duties, taxi-ing, feeding, cleaning, guiding and more and more being the pivot around which the family grows and evolves as well as Mother. Although still not as popular as Mother’s day, it is still a wonderful opportunity to thank and honor your Father.

Links

Please take a look at our new links page for our friends and associates whether in the Boston New England area or Internationally. We welcome The Boston Real Estate Group.

http://www.corporategiftsboston.com/Links.cfm