Handbook

Gift Giving in Armenia

Tradition dictates that if you admire an item belonging to another person in Armenia, it will be automatically given to you. Now technically, you may say, "That necklace on you is lovely," but not, "What a lovely necklace that is." The inference is that you admire someone's taste as a pleasant object, but not admire it because you want such a thing. Please remember to try not, either directly or indirectly, to give an Armenian cause to think you would like any of their possessions, including jewelry, clothing, souvenirs, etc. This can result in cultural misunderstanding and embarrassment. This can also cause you to be the recipient of an article that you really may not want! Please be very careful of this traditional practice in this culture. Thank you