Gifts

[Browning]

I have been told that it is inappropriate to give certain gifts to a sifu, like a knife. What is the history behind this, and what other gifts are unacceptable?

[Levi]

The knife gift can also include scissors, even nail clippers. I beliebe (could be wrong) that it pertains to anything that has a cutting edge and is meant for cutting or severing. To give such a thing as a gift is sumbolic of "severing" the relationship.

I am not sure of what else is inappropriate as far as gifts go, but I remember vividly my lesson in the cutting gifts. My Sitaigung Moy Yat needed to trim his nails, and we pulled into a store to get some clippers. He was very adamant about paying for them, despite my attempts to take care of my martial great grandfather. It wasn't until later that the reason behind this was explained to me by someone else. He was trying to make sure I didn't do anything disrespectful or that I didn't actually mean, and he never held it against me that I didn't know. And now I'll never forget.

-Levi

[Savi]

Very good to know!

Thx for the info.