Multinational companies face a significant challenge when working across cultures: how to strike a balance between being compliant and honoring cultural gift-giving norms in professional settings. Why is it such a challenge? What may be expected as a gesture of respect and goodwill in one culture could be considered bribery in another. Missteps can ultimately lead to a damaged company reputation, lost business opportunities, or even legal repercussions. Finding a balance between cultural expectations and compliance is a strategic imperative, but potential conflicts can feel completely overwhelming. With training and preparation, however, workforces can learn to navigate these scenarios with skill. Cultural Gift-Giving Differences in Professional Settings Gift giving has always been used in professional settings to show respect, build rapport, and lay the groundwork for meaningful business relationships around the world. Under the right circumstances, a carefully chosen gift can symbolize trust and partnership, opening the door to successful collaboration. Failure to understand cultural norms and expectations can result in costly mistakes. Below, we provide a few examples of varying gift-giving norms to illustrate the importance of cultural agility when doing business across cultures.