http://thumb1.image.altavista.com/image/77862259 http://thumb2.image.altavista.com/image/1683774811 http://thumb2.image.altavista.com/image/360931006

In most western countries, it is a tradition to offer a gift to people who invite us to celebrate their birthdays, their anniversaries or their wedding. It is a tradition to bring a present like a bouquet of flowers, a box of fine chocolate or a small gift to someone who invites us for lunch or for dinner, whether it is casual or formal.

I noticed that this is not a must or a habit here in Oman and was wandering if it has always been like that? Why do most guests come empty handed when they are invited?

If it is a birthday, wedding then people do buy gifts unless if they dont have money to buy..

BUt sometimes a wish means more than a gift. And i think that is very important thing than the gift..

for lunch or dinner.. if you invite guests over they bring something to eat as well.. sweets

And this whole thread reminds me of getting my friend a gift for her wedding..

yes, I dont think its a tradition in Oman to get a gift, unless its for a reason maybe for weddings and birthdays.

Maybe its because we have more invitations here in Oman than in the west. I cant picture me spending money on each and every gathering I go too, its too much expenses I guess!

It’s not in our culture to celebrate birthdays or bring a gift when you are invited for lunch or dinner. It’s actually an insult if you bring a gift it you were invited for a feast.

Originally posted by Dark Project
It’s not in our culture to celebrate birthdays or bring a gift when you are invited for lunch or dinner. It’s actually an insult if you bring a gift it you were invited for a feast.


I never knew that someone would be insulted.. :lost: How do you know this?


I agree with what AP said, us Omanis are constantly being invited for dinners and luncheons, and it wouldn't exactly be convenient for us if we had to take a gift every single time we're invited somewhere.

We get gifts for birthdays and weddings, when a new baby is born in a family, when someone graduates, etc.

Originally posted by Dark Project
It’s not in our culture to celebrate birthdays or bring a gift when you are invited for lunch or dinner. It’s actually an insult if you bring a gift it you were invited for a feast.

i agree .... with you ....
it sounds for having lunch or dinner you must pay some gifts instead

Well, simply it not part of our culture thus it is not common practise here. I can understand having birthday gift, annivessary etc but bring gift while invited for lunch/dinner, surely some people will take it as an insult.

On the other I dont think its necessary since you'll end-up exchanging invitation so why for :D

yes it is not a traddition in Oman un less if i was invited to a

birthy day or wedding or even for new house... but in

lunch/dinner invitation....if it is within the family i would take

something like desert and so.... if it is not then i'll go empty

handed .....:cool:
____________________________________
Losers Never Win...........

Who side that we dont have this in the old days in my velege
the women's who com's in the evning 4 the cofe (Al m3assrat) thy will bring 4 the childran of that hous abox of chips or meeno or big bag of baskoot nabil we call it in omani daghraa :gap:

If invited to someone's birthday and I don't know the person that well I wouldn't take a gift. But then again I try to avoid going to birthday's of people I don't like.

However, when invited to someone's house for the first time it is rude to go empty handed- particularly if it's a new house. At a very least take some flowers or one of those Patchi gift baskets with chocolates. You don't have to spend a fortune. You can get something for like 10 to 20 rials.

I don't see it as an insult if I bring a home cooked dish to someone who has invited me for lunch or dinner. Most of the time, I will ask first what they would like for me to prepare and usually the idea is always welcomed.

However, I noticed that in 99% of the Omani weddings I attend here, hundreds of guests come always empty hand :confused:. I understood that only the very close relatives or friends give the bride a present prior or after her wedding, but the majority of guests don't. In Europe, it will be considered an insult.

Whatever ocassion and where-ever it is, it doesn't hurt to give someone a gift. It would only make you look better a person, but there could always be a downfall, if you didn't give a gift! ;)

well some of us carry gifts when they go to birthday parties, some give birthday gifts without being invited. I think from what i see that most people who are invited for lunch or dinner they take a dish whether it's homemade or bought to the house they are invited. And why Are we soo materialistic, i mean if we have to get gifts or something and we cant afford then no one would appear. After all you want them that's why u invited them.



Or We are inviting people to receive gifts?????

Originally posted by X-press
I noticed that in 99% of the Omani weddings I attend here, hundreds of guests come always empty hand :confused:. I understood that only the very close relatives or friends give the bride a present prior or after her wedding, but the majority of guests don't. In Europe, it will be considered an insult.

It's different here, and it does differ from one community to another. In my family what happens is that after the wedding people start sending gifts either directly to the newly married couple or to their parents' house. People who are closer to you usually either come visit you at your house with a gift, or they invite you to dinner and give you your gift. Gifts are never given at the wedding itself.

Only people who know you well or family give gifts. Others don't. Another thing: a gift is an obligation. Once you get a gift from someone you have to reciprocate when they have a wedding with something of equal value.

well from my experience people do actually give gifts, some within the wedding itself and some after and some before ..

the close family members helped in preparing the house, the gifts were useful stuf like refrigiratos, cooker, washing machine and stuff like those ..

other people chose kitchen utensils and some others stuff for decorating the hosue (like the one exxy gave, it was amazing :D )

After the wedding, I was still receiving gifts from people I hardly know, which was nice.

so, you see .. people do give gifts. Personly I dont blame the person who dont give a gift, with the number of weddings we are invited to .. :)


Regarding invitations, yes I agree if it is a new house I guess people usually do bring stuff .. but when its a family house or friends house they dont!

I think mux summed it all. In most cases the gifts will be sent before or after the wedding but not on the wedding day.