In Reply to: Great Post! posted by Barong Naga on Friday, 2. July 2004 at 15:29 Bali Time:
We must never forget that we give, for our own pleasure as much as that of the receiver.
We are often given used clothes, and except for jeans which are treasured, we are diffident about giving them to better class people. A nice way to do it is "for the people in your kampung" as everyone knows that there are poor people to be helped, on the home front.
Other well-treasured gifts are wollen sweaters, no matter if used as these are used for going home on the motor-cycle to protect against "masuk angin", the source of all Balinese ills.
If in doubt, always give money; using an envelope is considered "halus" = refined.
Enjoy the Olympic Standard Smiles.