【Japanese Customs】1.Returning Half Of A Celebratory Gift

When we receive celebratory gift, like celebrations of a birth or wedding presents, we have to return half of them. For instance, if we get a present worth 20,000yen, we should return a gift worth 10,000yen. Of course mostly, we don't know how much the gift we receive is, so we should assume the price. 


This custom is called "Hangaeshi" in Japanese, "han" represents "half" and "gaeshi" means return. This custom is practiced in the case of mourning as well. In Japan, if you don't go with this custom, especially in the case that you don't return anything to gifts, you might be considered senseless.