This post originated from the news item that shares of one company were offered to employees of another which happened to be a customer.
The whole idea of appropriateness or otherwise of behaviour is deeply rooted in the socio-cultural fabric of the society.
Different cultures view gifts very differently. In many parts of Asia, it is perfectly all right to give/accept a gift that is more like a souvenir and is not measured by the cost/value of the gift.
This is more pronounced in Middle East where it is a part of culture to offer gifts that are not "cheap".
Is an offer of a merchant banker to a fancy dinner (with Chateau Margeaux, caviar et al) or invite to a 18 hole golf course in Scotland with best of malts, salmon, Grouse shooting, fishing et al different from offering a Mont Blanc or Waterman to a business associate? Where does the thin line vanish differentiating a gift from a bribe?
As is said in Indian mythology that everything that you see is a result of the context that you are in. So, all of this is a mirage (मिथ्या).
Gifting on marriage is acceptable, gifting of calendars is acceptable - what about selling shares of "my" company at market price/publically available price to an employee of "my" customer?
Aren't heads of state given gifts by their counterparts on State (business) visits? That has included, in the past, elephants, horses, diamond studded jewellery, etc.
Who is right?
Who is wrong?
The whole idea of appropriateness or otherwise of behaviour is deeply rooted in the socio-cultural fabric of the society.
Different cultures view gifts very differently. In many parts of Asia, it is perfectly all right to give/accept a gift that is more like a souvenir and is not measured by the cost/value of the gift.
This is more pronounced in Middle East where it is a part of culture to offer gifts that are not "cheap".
Is an offer of a merchant banker to a fancy dinner (with Chateau Margeaux, caviar et al) or invite to a 18 hole golf course in Scotland with best of malts, salmon, Grouse shooting, fishing et al different from offering a Mont Blanc or Waterman to a business associate? Where does the thin line vanish differentiating a gift from a bribe?
As is said in Indian mythology that everything that you see is a result of the context that you are in. So, all of this is a mirage (मिथ्या).
Gifting on marriage is acceptable, gifting of calendars is acceptable - what about selling shares of "my" company at market price/publically available price to an employee of "my" customer?
Aren't heads of state given gifts by their counterparts on State (business) visits? That has included, in the past, elephants, horses, diamond studded jewellery, etc.
Who is right?
Who is wrong?
Comments
Post a Comment