I find the many customs and faux-pas relating to doing business in Asia so fascinating. How to eat, how to sit at a table, where to sit in a car (depending on seniority of other passengers), who to invite to a wedding: all have deeply enshrined traditions and rituals that are strictly followed by a particular ethnic group.
One set of advice in particular that stuck in my memory was related to giving gifts in China. There are two very distinct taboos. One is the clock. According to varying accounts, the phrase ‘giving a clock’ sounds similar to that of ‘attending a funeral’ or ‘wishing someone dead’ (my web research on this produced many similar but slightly different interpretations, all focussing on death). Apparently the way around this if you are determined to make a gift of a clock to your Chinese host is to sell it to him for a nominal amount, thereby avoiding the problem of ‘giving’ the clock.
Of more interest to me is the second no-no gift: the green hat. Ask any person of Chinese descent and they seem to immediately know the significance of the green hat. A person wearing a green hat is making a statement that their partner is unfaithful to them. Giving this as a gift is clearly not going to go down very well. One account describes how the late Deng Xiaoping visited a manufacturing plant in Texas and was presented with a local baseball cap which was, you’ve guessed it, green. Unsurprisingly, he chose not to wear it.
What are the origins of this taboo? The phrase ‘wearing a green hat’ apparently sounds similar to the word for cuckold (man with adulterous wife). The symbol dates back many centuries, and in the past the families of prostitutes were forced to wear green hats as a mark of shame.
There are clearly many misunderstandings that could be created with a green hat (I would suspect that the green hat might be a popular prop in Chinese TV comedy and theatre). It also makes me wonder: can you actually buy a green hat in China? I mean, would there be a specific green hat shop where you would go to make the statement to a friend (or a partner)?
I will certainly check the colour of any hats I wear on my next visit to China. Thankfully I don’t ever remember giving anyone a hat as a gift, so I feel comfortable that I won’t be making this cultural faux-pas at least. But if you are thinking of buying a piece of headwear for a Chinese friend, it may be wise to check the colour of your gift before you make a grave mistake.
very good Andy. totally impressed. u sure u weren’t chinese in your last life ..?
Since I’m soon headed for China, I’m thinking this is valuable advice…..
Very cool! I’m glad I didn’t not commit this faux-pas in China, through ignorance. I got the don’t stick your chopsticks in your meal one down pat, but have never heard of the green hat! Now I know for my return
Well Caz and Barbara, I expect to see your green hat photos in your upcoming China posts
Thanks both for your comments.
You know something about Asia I don’t even know!
Korea has many, I mean many taboos too. 
good to know not to give or wear green hats in china! But I gotta wonder, also, can we even buy one in chin? Haha!!
I hadn’t heard about this so asked a colleague at work today. (I work in a Chinese school). I literally only had to say the words ‘green hat’ and she knew what I was talking about. She did say that it only applies to men though not to women! As to whether or not you can buy a green hat here, I’m now keeping my eyes open to see if I can find one
Someone needs to take a photo of a hat shop in China selling green hats! I’m sure we all want to know if you can get one
Thanks to Juno and Kerry for your witty thoughts 
For the “green hat”, it the same as kerryd, just applies to men.
There are some similar taboos:like you do not buy someone “pear” or “umbrella”,According to varying accounts, they similar to‘wishing someone break up”. On the contrary, “apple” is a good gift for China, similar to ” wish someone well”.
Thank you for the advice Crystal. Lots to learn about gifts in China. I will remember about the apple!
Good to know, because i love green, and i love silly hats.
Also, as a woman, be careful about wearing any red dress. I did that once to hang out with my chinese friends and they giggled at me the whole day. I guess girls only wear red dresses to show they are getting married. Guess what every joke that day was about?