I subscribe to just two magazines, one is Toastmasters Magazine. It arrives each month with stories, and tips from around the world with respect to the international organization that is Toastmasters. The magazine this time included information about Koala Lumpur (use link to learn more) which is the location this year for the huge international annual conference for Toastmasters.  The article explained customs, etiquette (including tipping, and gifting) in Malaysia.

The magazine is international and it discussed gifting etiquette.  In China, India and Malaysia people generally wait to open gift because opening a gift immediately “would suggest that the recipient is greedy and impatient.” In countries such as Spain and USA it is common for people to unwrap gifts as soon as they receive them. In some countries offering gifts is common business practice, and in others the practice is rare.

In Saudi Arabia proper etiquette calls for giving and receiving gifts only with the right hand, yet in Japan, you should always give and receive gifts with BOTH hands.

I like the Japanese custom best. I find choosing gifts difficult so when I give a gift I really do want to present them with my gift. I know also that when I receive a gift, I have been given something that that person has given it to me with thought and planning knowing my preferences. I want to accept their gift and acknowledge it properly.

You and I were both given today a gift of a day, a day to appreciate our family, our health and much much more.  I have found that if I approach each day with thankfulness my whole mindset, attitude, and framework is better balanced.

Today I accepted the gift of the day I have with two hands, and I hope you did too.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be – Abraham Lincoln