What is not given?
Choosing a gift for a loved one, remember,that not all gifts are unambiguous: some, as you know, can have a certain symbolism. Therefore, one must remember that there are many superstitions in which certain second things are attributed to a second, secret meaning.
What is not given because of superstitions?
Handkerchiefs
There are two explanations for this old superstition. The first of them says: to receive a handkerchief as a gift means to receive along with him the tears that you will wipe with this handkerchief. According to the second explanation, handkerchiefs are ritual funeral objects, which all the people who came to the burial of the deceased are gifted to the Slavs.
Pearl
According to the old belief, pearls are the petrified tears of nymphs and mermaids, so a pearl that is accepted as a gift will bring grief and wailing to the house.
Clock
According to one version, the watch can not be given becausethe person who received them as a gift will live as long as this watch will go. When the clock breaks, their owner withers and soon dies. Another explanation is not so gloomy: you can not give a watch to a close person, because they will begin to count down the time of your life together with him, and as soon as the hands of the clock cease to rotate, you will part with it forever.
On the superstitions and signs associated with the clock, had already been told in our article Why not give a watch.
Knives
It is generally accepted that a given knife is a mustwill cause scandals and strife between the donor and the gifted. This groundless abuse will only grow with time, and the matter will end with the fact that people close to one another once and for all quarrel with each other - as the magicians say, the blade of the knife will cut the thread connecting their hearts.
Here we should make a small digression andto say that because of the fact that watches and knives are absolutely necessary things and I would like to receive them as gifts, people have come up with ways to deceive fate and avoid possible negative consequences from their donation. The trick is that, in response to such a gift, you must give the copper coin to the donor. Thus, formally, a knife or a clock can already be considered bought, not gifted, which means that nothing terrible will happen to their new owner now.
Mirror
Mirror is considered one of the most magicalsubjects. A very large number of all kinds of signs and superstitions are associated with it. Mages and sorcerers claim that mirrors can open portals to the world of darkness. Therefore it is not surprising that many people are very reluctant to accept a mirror as a gift, fearing the misfortunes and misfortunes that can come to their home from the otherworldlight hiding behind the mirror surface. More details on why it is undesirable to give mirrors are described in our article. Is it possible to give a mirror?
In addition to all the above items from superstitious considerations should not be given:
- brushes and combs - the recipient of the gift will recognize all your secrets;
- gloves - a gift will lead to a rupture of relations;
- slippers are a symbol of death;
- bouquets of an even number of large flowers - for the same reason as slippers;
- yellow flowers - why, read in our article What do yellow roses give to.
When choosing a gift, one should be guided not only by popular superstitions, but also by the rules of the official gift etiquette, according to which one also can not give some things.
What is not given according to the rules of gift etiquette?
- You can not give very expensive, or, conversely,too cheap gifts. Gifts of the first kind compel a person to feel obligated to the donor, especially if the gifted person does not have the opportunity in the future to make the same expensive return gift. Gifts of the second type simply offend people.
- You can not give animals, without previously agreeing such a gift with the one to whom it is intended.
- Do not give icons and other religious attributes (except when you are invited to the christening).
- A bad gift for a woman is perfumeryand decorative cosmetics, as it is difficult to guess the fragrance of perfume or the tone of lipstick, which is sure to please the lady. To give the same creams, deodorants, shower gels, etc., cosmetic means in general is unacceptable.
- Do not give men "on duty" ties or socks.
- Women are not allowed to give strong spirits and accessories for smoking - cigarette cases, lighters, ashtrays (even if a woman smokes).
- Men are not given candy and cakes.
- A general rule: do not give linens, personal hygiene items, shoes and clothes. Gifts of this kind are acceptable only from the closest, dear people.
About how to choose and give gifts, is described in our article How to give gifts.
