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Weddings can be complicated things. The complication of your “garden variety” wedding can really become quite complex when one is unfamiliar with the social customs or norms. Navigating your way through the potentially rough seas of a wedding is never easy. However, don’t worry, help is on the way.

Etiquette for Wedding and Bridesmaid Gifts

1. When is a pre-engagement gift a bad idea? The answer is when you are in Malaysia, as it will be seen as a bribe.

2. You might love leather and you might love beef. Maybe you even dream about the two things being together in some fashion, but if your giving a gift to someone from India, its best if you skip anything that was once a cow. Cows are seen as being sacred.

3. When giving that all important bridesmaid gift in the Middle East, definitely use your right hand.

4. When shopping for a groomsmen gift for someone of the Muslim faith, you should avoid such items as pigskin footballs or alcoholic beverages.

5. Clocks may seem like a pretty safe bet, after all, who doesn’t need to tell time? But in China clocks are related to the word and concept of death.

6. Another gift that seems safe at first glance (but isn’t safe) is the handkerchief. In different parts of the world the handkerchief is associated with sadness.

7. In Japan you always want to bring an uneven number of wedding gifts. This way the gifts cannot be divided between the bride and groom.

8. Knives are not the best choice for a wedding gift in China and Latin America. While your gift will be accepted, don’t be surprised if you receive a penny so that your knife is no longer technically viewed as a gift.

9. For your friends living in Japan or Hong Kong, it is best that you show up in person to deliver your wedding gift or bridesmaid gift. Also in these two countries gifts should be given with both hands. If you want to avoid embarrassment it would be best to follow these two rules.

Wedding and bridesmaid gift giving can be tricky business. If you’re not careful the end result could be highly awkward.

Need some advice on planning a wedding? Ideas for picking great wedding favors, invitations, wedding gifts? Frederick Smith writes about anything and everything weddings.