世界上獨特的贈禮傳統

譯/孫巧

世界上獨特的贈禮傳統

譯/孫巧

Unique Gift Giving Traditions from Around the World

無論是為了某個特別的節日，還是為了表達感謝，抑或是為了讓對方明白你很在乎，贈送禮物都是人類共同的習俗。各地贈禮的目的也許相近，但贈禮的傳統卻因國而異。在某地表示尊重的贈禮行為，在另一個地方看來則可能會被視為無禮。一起看看世界各地獨一無二的贈禮傳統吧。

Whether for a special holiday, as a token of gratitude or just a way of letting someone know you care, giftgiving is a universal custom. Though the intent may be similar from place to place, traditions vary widely from one country to the next. A gesture that conveys respect in one place might be considered offensive somewhere else. Take a look at our list of unique gifting traditions from around the world.

在歐洲，別不小心與人一刀兩斷。

在美國，一套廚房刀具似乎是十分理想的婚禮或節日禮物。然而在某些歐洲國家，如德國，迷信讓人們相信贈送刀具會割斷朋友之間的友誼。打破這種迷信的辦法是：在刀或禮品盒上綁一枚硬幣。收禮人把硬幣還給贈禮之人以示“付款”，用以抵消厄運。

In Europe, don’t accidentally cut yourself out of someone’s life.

Here in the U.S., a set of kitchen knives seems like the perfect gift idea for a wedding or holiday. However, in certain European countries like Germany, superstition dictates that a knife presented as a gift will sever your friendship. There is a way to beat this superstition: Tie a penny to the knife or gift box. The receiver then returns the penny to you as a “payment” to nullify1nullify抵消。the bad luck.

在英國，60周年結婚紀念日禮物是鉆石。

在英國，彩票的購買、交換比世界上任何地方都要多，而且適合作為生日禮物。原本鉆石在英國象征75年婚姻生活，但由于維多利亞女王登基60年便舉辦了鉆禧慶典，因而現在鉆石代表60周年紀念。

In Britain, diamonds are 60th wedding anniversary gifts.

Lottery tickets are bought and exchanged here more than they are anywhere else in the world, and often make a suitable birthday gift. Though diamonds originally symbolised 75 years of married life in the UK2一般來說，金婚為結婚50周年，銀婚為結婚25周年，鉆石婚為結婚60周年，也有些國家將結婚40周年稱為銀婚，75周年稱為鉆石婚。, they are now associated with 60, as Victoria’s 60 years on the throne marked her Jubilee3=Diamond Jubilee鉆禧，通常是指個人事件的60周年紀念（如結婚紀念、君主登基紀念）或集體事件的75周年紀念（如大學校慶）。傳統上，個人的鉆禧紀念也是75周年，但自英國維多利亞女王登基鉆禧紀念后，這一傳統發生了改變。自1861年維多利亞女王的丈夫阿爾伯特親王去世后她便基本從公眾視野中消失，從而引發了國民的不安。因此后來決定將她的登基鉆禧提前至1897年6月22日60周年時舉行，以打消民眾的疑慮。而2012年6月2日舉行的伊麗莎白二世登基鉆禧紀念是英國歷史上第二次君主登基鉆禧紀念。.

參加意大利婚禮，給自己買片領帶。

意大利婚禮上有名的傳統就是把新郎的領帶切成許多小片。婚禮來賓通過“購買”這些領帶片，交換現金給新人。這種有趣的方式讓賓客得到婚禮紀念品，又給新郎新娘隨了禮金。

意大利的小朋友除了受到圣誕老人的眷顧外，在1月6日主顯節結束時，還會收到巫女裝進他們襪子里的禮物。有趣的是，公司之間或公司內部不會互贈禮物，因為人們認為這種行為有點俗氣。

At an Italian wedding, buy yourself a piece of the tie.

There’s a well-known Italian wedding tradition where the groom’s tie is cut into a number of tiny pieces. Wedding guests can then “buy” these tie slices in exchange for cash. It’s a fun way to give money to the bride and groom that leaves guests with a wedding souvenir.

In addition to a visit from Santa, Italian kids have their stockings fi lled by a fallacious witch at the end of Epiphany4主顯節，1月6日紀念賢士朝拜耶穌。on January 6. Interestingly, gifts are not exchanged between or within companies, as the act is deemed a little tacky.

在俄羅斯，伏特加酒并不是稱心的禮物。

受蘇聯時期統治方式影響，與圣誕節相比俄羅斯人更樂于慶祝新年。也許伏特加看起來是最適合俄羅斯人的禮物，可實際上在很多俄羅斯人看來這是沒創意的禮物。許多人甚至會認為送伏特加酒這一想法就是無禮的。

In Russia, Vodka is not a desirable gift.

Due to the way Russia was governed during the Soviet era, Russians celebrate New Year with more gusto than they do at Christmas. While Vodka might seem the most suitable gift for a Russian, a lot of them would see it as an unimaginative gesture. Many even perceive the notion as insulting.

在以色列，沒人送禮物，也沒人收禮物。

盡管有送禮物這種善意的舉動，但感謝卡和感謝便條在以色列贈禮傳統中并不常見。與美國猶太人在光明節互換禮物不同，來自以色列或在以色列居住的猶太人通常不會互換禮物。

In Israel, nobody’s giving or receiving gifts.

Despite the kind gesture, thank you cards and notes are not a common part of the gifting custom in Israel. Contrary to the way American Jews exchange gifts during Hanukkah5光明節，歷時八天的猶太人節日，紀念公元前165年重修耶路撒冷圣殿。, those from or residing in Israel won’t typically receive gifts from one another.

在印第安人中，主人贈送禮物，而不是接收禮物。

印第安人的贈禮禮節與任何其他文化都相反。按照傳統，在婚禮和預祝儀式上（生日不算在內），其他文化中是主人接收禮物，而印第安文化中則為來賓接收禮物。

In Native America, your host gives gifts rather than receive them.

Native American gifting etiquette is exactly the opposite to that of any other culture. Traditionally during weddings and powwow6powwow預祝典禮（出發打獵、打仗前的跳舞、狂歡）。celebrations (birthdays aren’t always recognised), guests are the receivers of gifts rather than whomever the host may be.

在日本，贈禮方式至關重要。

日本人非常重視贈禮（因收到感謝禮物而又贈出感謝禮物也不足為奇），而贈禮方式直接影響禮物的接收。舉例來說，贈送無包裝的現金會令人不快。那么，無論用作禮物還是支付小費的現金都要裝進信封，保證收禮物的人受到尊重。

按照慣例，人們會在新婚禮物的信封上打個裝飾死結，因為民間傳說新婚禮物的信封應該“打不開”。

In Japan, presentation is paramount.

The Japanese place a great emphasis on the act of gift giving (it’s not unheard of to send a thank-you gift for a thank-you gift), and presentation7presentation贈送儀式，獻禮。plays a big role in determining how your gift is received. For example, it’s considered distasteful to hand off uncovered cash. So whether you’re sending money as a gift or just leaving a tip, place your money in an envelope to ensure it’s received in a respectful manner.

It’s also customary to place a tight decorative knot on a wedding gift envelope, since folklore dictates that the envelope should be “impossible to open.”

在中國，紅包和雙數會帶來好運。

中國新年有一整套豐富的傳統。節日里最流行的習俗就是贈送裝在紅色信封里的錢，這叫作“壓歲錢”，是“用來鎮惡驅邪的錢”，是要帶來好運的。

除了送錢的方式，對禮金的金額也有迷信。單數金額跟“白金”（葬禮上的禮金）相聯系，被視為厄運。哪怕是禮金的第一位數都一定要保證是雙數，像30和50都被視為單數。

In China, red envelopes and even denominations bring good luck.

Chinese New Year has a rich set of traditions. One of the most popular customs of this holiday is giving out money in red envelopes. Known as “yasuiqian” which means “the money used to suppress the evil spirit,” these gifts are meant to bring good luck.

In addition to how you give money, there’s also superstition around the amount you give. Gifting an odd numbered amount of money is associated with the “baijin,”gifts given during funerals, and is considered bad luck. It’s important to make sure that even the fi rst digit is even, as numbers like 30 and 50 are considered odd.

在印度，用右手送禮物。

印度文化認為左手不干凈，像接觸、傳遞錢物或贈送禮物都要用右手。與某些文化不同，印度文化視單數的物件或錢為吉利。例如，11鎊比10鎊好。

In India, gifts are given with the right hand.

As left hands are considered unclean in Indian culture, gestures such as touching, passing money, or giving gifts are to be done with the right hand. Contrary to some other cultures, an odd number of objects or currency denotes good luck. For example, ￡11 should be given as opposed to ￡10.

在南美，鋒利的物件不吉利。

南美洲國家的大部分人認為贈送鋒利尖銳的物件是想斷絕關系的標志，所以送禮物最好避免贈送剪刀和廚刀。圣誕節節期最后一天1月6日前夕，阿根廷的孩子們通常會把鞋留在床邊，等著裝滿小禮物。在巴西，海邊的居民會把鮮花、水果或珠寶撒向大海以祭水神。

In South America, sharp objects are unlucky.

The majority of people from South American countries will see the offering of sharp objects as a sign that you want the relationship with them severed, so scissors and cooking knives are best avoided. On the eve of January 6 at the end of the Christmas period, Argentinian children will customarily leave their shoes by their beds to be filled with small gifts. Meanwhile in Brazil, seaside settlements will send gifts of fl owers, fruits or jewellery out to sea to honour the Goddess of Water.

在特立尼達和多巴哥，年齡再小都能收禮物。

在特立尼達和多巴哥，人們習慣把錢放在新生兒手里來慶祝孩子的出生。這種做法表達了對孩子健康茁壯成長的美好祝愿。

In Trinidad and Tobago, nobody’s too young for a gift.

In Trinidad & Tobago, it’s customary to celebrate the birth of a newborn baby by placing money in its hand. This gesture conveys best wishes for the child’s healthy and prosperous upbringing.

在津巴布韋，舞蹈勝過千言萬語。

在津巴布韋，直接要禮物的情況并不少見。在沒提要求而收到禮物的情況下，即使送禮方家庭極度貧困，拒絕接收也絕對是下下策。同時人們認為用動作表示感謝勝過口頭答謝。表示感謝的動作可以是蹦蹦跳跳，也可以是翩翩起舞，或者吹個口哨。 □

In Zimbabwe, a dance can speak a thousand words.

In Zimbabwe, it is not uncommon to be directly asked for a gift. When one has been bought even without requesting it, the worst you can do is to refuse the offering, even if the family giving is starving. Also, gestures of thanks are preferred over verbal reciprocation. These may include jumping up and down, dancing, or whistling.

（譯者曾獲第五屆“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽優秀獎）