Signs and etiquette: what should not be given for a birthday and why?

Everyone has heard that you can’t give certain items for your birthday. However, most of the prohibitions were formed under the influence of superstitions - people believed (and continue to believe) in the ability of things to influence life processes. On the other hand, there are rules of etiquette, and some gifts can be perceived as a sign of impoliteness - this should also not be forgotten when going in search of a suitable present.

Signs about unwanted gifts

Popular beliefs classify a large number of things as forbidden. True, sometimes the negative meaning of a gift can be neutralized with the help of the so-called “farm-out” or other simple rituals.

Sharp objects

Anything that can prick or cut is subconsciously perceived as a threat to well-being, friendships or family relationships, and career growth. For this reason, many try not to give the following items as gifts:

• knives (kitchen and collection), daggers, sabers;
• razors and blades for them;
• forks;
• needles (including sewing or embroidery kits, which include them);
• knitting needles and hooks.

If one of the above is a very desirable thing for a person, then you can buy it and give it as gratitude for a small service. Of course, you shouldn’t coincide this specifically with your birthday.

Watch

There are several beliefs regarding watches.According to one of them, a watch received as a gift will count down the time remaining until the end of one’s life’s journey. Thus, presenting them is tantamount to wishing for death.

According to another version, watches can bring old age closer. The one who received them will begin to fade faster and become sick more. Superstitious people claim that this sign always works when it comes to wristwatches, but wall watches are relatively safe, especially if they have electronics inside instead of a gear mechanism.

Wallet

The donated wallet itself does not carry negativity. The danger lurks inside it - if there is no money there, then this accessory at the energy level attracts poverty and all sorts of financial troubles. So, before handing over your wallet, you need to put at least a few coins in it, and, if possible, a large bill.

Gloves

To understand why this seemingly harmless accessory cannot be given as a birthday present, we should remember the traditions of our distant ancestors. Not so long ago, any disputes and conflicts were resolved in a duel, and the most common way to challenge an opponent to a fight was to throw a glove at his feet. If a fight was not planned, but it was necessary to inform the other person about the severance of friendly or family relations, the glove was handed over by messenger.

Nowadays, people prefer to communicate with each other using words, however, they follow the outdated tradition and try not to give gloves to each other.

Handkerchiefs

Such hygiene items are immediately associated with three negative factors:

• the afterlife - since they are used during the funeral ceremony;
• grief - this is due to the fact that they wipe away tears with a handkerchief when they experience not the best emotions;
• separation - partly because, parting with a loved one, I had to cry; and there was also a custom of waving a handkerchief after someone who was setting off on a long and distant journey.

According to signs, it is undesirable to give a handkerchief (even one embroidered with your own hands) so as not to unwittingly provoke a quarrel. If you had to accept this thing as a gift, you should give a ransom for it - even just one coin, and it should be silver.

What should not be given to men?

Men, as a rule, perceive gifts more calmly and rarely think about superstitions. However, there is something that cannot be given to them, so as not to disappoint or offend. First of all, such items include underwear. Socks, panties and T-shirts are what a person buys for himself and hardly dreams of receiving for his birthday. Also a bad gift would be tired shower gels, shaving foams and other hygiene products.

As for signs, here’s what you shouldn’t present to your husband or boyfriend:

• Alcohol - alcoholic drinks, according to popular belief (and even according to doctors), take away your health. And if you uncork a bottle and treat guests to its contents, then on an energetic level the man will give them part of his power.
• Towels - the consequence of such an act will be separation as a result of a causeless quarrel.
• Slippers - with such a gift you can attract an accident or disaster to a person, which will be fatal for him.
• Writing utensils (pens, pencils) - a man will devote little time to his beloved, or even prefer work to her.
• Scarf - it can invite trouble.

Worst gift options for a woman

It is possible to please a woman with a gift, but it is difficult. According to the rules of etiquette, the following things cannot be given to the hero of the occasion:

• Kitchen utensils and appliances - even if a lady is fond of cooking, it is better not to hint to her about routine matters on a holiday.
• Cosmetics and perfumes - the fact is that it is almost impossible to guess the tone of lipstick or the shade of powder without knowing a woman’s preferences. An exception to this prohibition are situations when the one who chooses the gift probably knows what the girl would like to receive.
• Underwear - only very close people can take such a liberty.
• Household chemicals, cleaning products - such a gift is regarded as outright rudeness, since it is a kind of allusion to the social status of the lady.
• Medical devices - although indirectly, they indicate the fact that the woman is no longer very young.

There are also signs that prohibit giving pearls to women. The fact is that, according to legend, these precious stones are nothing more than the frozen tears of sea nymph beauties. Handing a girl a product that contains at least one pearl means dooming her to mental suffering.

Another forbidden gift is a mirror. There are many beliefs associated with it, which may differ depending on where you live. So, in some areas they believe that if this item is presented, the life of its new owner will completely change. A happily married woman will survive divorce; one who has achieved career success will face problems at work; those around her will begin to consider her a beauty as ugly; and a sufficiently wise and experienced lady will commit rash acts.In other areas, they believe that a mirror received as a gift steals youth - the girl will suddenly begin to age.

Superstitions do not favor bouquets of artificial flowers. In the popular imagination, they are closely associated with the world of the dead, so it is believed that such a gift will bring bad energy to the home of the hero of the occasion. A woman will get sick more often, be bored, notice only flaws in everything, and nothing will be able to bring her joy.

When thinking about what can and cannot be given for a birthday, you should take into account the personal opinion of the person to whom the gift is intended. If a person believes in omens, it is better to refrain from buying things that are considered unlucky. For those who are skeptical about superstitions, you can give any items permitted by etiquette. In any case, the gift should be beautiful and meet the preferences of the birthday person.