In Reply to: Are we fools? posted by balimum on Saturday, 14. January 2006 at 13:58 Bali Time:
It is the Balinese custom not to open gifts when they are given. They believe that if they show pleasure and excitement over the gift they will be seen as materialistic, greedy and not respecting your true friendship. Such displays and even thoughts are not good for their karma.
If they don't show pleasure and excitement then they worry that you might think they do not appreciate their gift.
It's a no-win situation for them but not a mark of disrespect to you, perhaps just the opposite.