Talking about Christmas and exchanging of gifts... there's one aspect of the this gift culture that really puzzles me, and that is you *open* your presents in front of the people who gave it to you.
The first time this happened, I was taken aback. For the Chinese, it's extremely rude. The proper thing to do is to open it out of sight. In fact, if you can wait till the giver leaves, that's even better. *shrugs*
That said, I have a difficult time waiting to open my presents. In fact, one of the worst things you can do to me is to give me a birthday present early.
But I digress.
I try really hard to wait till it's Christmas to open gifts. If the presents are out of sight, and if my siblings have to wait with me, I find the torture easier to bear.
