Taiwan Customs

I found this interesting and wanted to share:
I have been doing a little bit of research on Taiwan for our service plan that my agency requires. Some of the customs are quite different from here. I knew a little bit about the number thing, although not for gift giving. And the colors of the wrapping are important. We will be bringing gifts for the foster family and the birth parents when we go over.

Meeting and Greeting

Greetings are formal and the oldest person in a group is always greeted first.
Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners.
Many Taiwanese look towards the ground as a sign of respect when greeting someone.
You need not follow their example as they understand that westerners tend to smile warmly when introduced.
Most greetings include the rhetorical question, "Have you eaten?"
The Chinese traditionally have 3 names. The surname, or family name is first and is followed by one or two personal names.
Chinese women do not change their names when they marry other Chinese, and the children’s last name will generally follow that of the father.
Often their personal names have some poetic or otherwise significant meaning, so asking about the meaning is a good way to break the ice.
When you are first meeting a person, address the person by their academic, professional, or honorific title and their surname.
If those you are meeting want to move to a first name basis, they will advise you which name to use.
Some Chinese adopt more western names in business and may ask you to call them by that name.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts are given at Chinese New Year, weddings, births and funerals.
The Taiwanese like food and a nice food basket or a bottle of good quality alcohol are gifts.
A gift may be refused the first time it is offered out of politeness. Attempt to offer the gift again; however, never force the issue.
Do not give scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as they traditionally indicate that you want to sever the relationship.
Do not give clocks, handkerchiefs or straw sandals as they are associated with funerals and death.
Do not give white flowers or chrysanthemums as they signify death.
Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.
Red, pink and yellow are considered to be auspicious colours.
Elaborate gift wrapping is imperative.
Do not give an odd number of gifts, since odd numbers are considered unlucky.
Four is also an unlucky number. Do not give four of anything.
Eight is the luckiest number. Giving eight of something brings luck to the recipient.
Avoid giving anything made in Taiwan.
Present gifts using both hands.
Gifts are not opened when received.
Gifts are generally reciprocated. Do not give a lavish gift unless it is to reciprocate an expensive gift that you have received.