Rule out alcohol, pork products or pigskin items, knives, and anything printed with a sexualized image of a woman before you even start browsing, these are firm no-gos rather than borderline choices. For a man, skip gold or silk clothing too, silver is the accepted substitute.
Perfume, a watch, or oud (a traditional incense/oil) are safe, well-liked gifts for men, food is a good default when visiting a home. If you’re a man buying perfume or oud for a woman, hold off unless she’s a close relative, that specific combination reads very differently than it would between women or close friends.
- Don’t expect the gift to be opened in front of you — it’s common for a recipient to set it aside and open it later rather than unwrap it on the spot, this isn’t a sign the gift landed badly.
- Keep it modest, not lavish — an unusually expensive gift can embarrass the recipient rather than impress them, especially outside a close personal relationship.