Choosing gifts for a loved one is a delightful experience, but according to ancient beliefs and psychological perspectives, there are five gifts you should avoid giving your partner. These gifts might carry negative meanings; check before buying to maintain peace in your relationship.
Giving gifts on special occasions—such as birthdays, Valentine's Day, or anniversaries—is a way to express love and strengthen bonds. However, in Thai society and many other Asian cultures, there are longstanding beliefs about "the curse of gifts" which might affect feelings and the relationship between couples.
Considering these alongside relationship psychology, some gifts can unintentionally cause discomfort or be interpreted negatively. Surveys and statistics from various couples reveal that mismatched expectations about receiving gifts are a minor but common cause of hurt feelings and arguments.
Ancient Thai and Chinese beliefs say that giving shoes to a partner may cause them to "walk away" or lead to separation. Psychologically and from a consumer behavior standpoint, shoes require trying on for the right fit. If the size is wrong, it can make the recipient uncomfortable, irritated each time they wear them, and might be interpreted as the giver not paying enough attention to details.
The belief about watches stems from the fear that if a gifted watch stops or breaks, it signals the relationship's end. Psychologically, watches represent time and commitment. For couples still in early stages, giving an expensive watch might unexpectedly pressure the recipient.
Though perfume is popular, some believe love can fade quickly like a scent evaporating into the air. Relationship experts say perfume is a "highly personal gift"; scent preferences connect to memory and emotion. Choosing a scent the recipient dislikes may cause the gift to be set aside unused.
Knives, scissors, or delicate glass home décor symbolize "cutting off" or relationships prone to breaking. Psychologically, owning items that require caution or pose accident risks often causes worry rather than happiness.
Giving a solo photo of oneself to a partner is sometimes seen as "a photo to look at after parting," linked to long journeys or farewells. Experts recommend choosing couple photos taken during happy moments to stimulate dopamine release and reinforce bonding better.
If the gift is something your partner truly wants or is necessary to give, ancient customs suggest a remedy for peace of mind: have the recipient "pay back" a small amount, like 1 or 5 baht, to change the transaction from a gift to a sale. This is believed to remove curses and keep the relationship smooth.
Beliefs about gifts serve as reminders for couples to be sensitive and attentive to each other's feelings. Ultimately, the strength of a relationship depends not on the objects given but on sincere communication, mutual respect, and consistently nurturing love every day.