Gifts and Presents

The tradition of giving and receiving gifts is a ubiquitous and deeply entrenced in Bhutanese society. Visitors bring a gift for the host when they arrive. Gifts are also given when a family member returns after a long trip. Sometimes, gifts are exchanged between friends and relatives who leave apart. It is in the Bhutanese tradition to give cash gifts to others. Guests, who have higher cash income, would often leave a cash tip when they leave, and older people or people with higher ranks would give cash gifts to younger people and people with lower income. Bhutanese do not wrap gifts and normally also do not willingly accept them and thank for them. As a sign of modesty, they politely reject the gift and receive it with respect.