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The 17th-century French tragedian Pierre Corneille wrote: The manner of giving is worth more than the gift”. He had a point, according to Charles Spence, head of Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford.
The professor's work focuses on how our brains sense the world around us. His research has shown that high-frequency sounds and curved shapes seem to increase the sweetness wine tastes better if it is accompanied by the popping sound of a cork and drunk from all these created multisensory experiences.
So, what's his advice if you want to impress this holiday season?
Bulk it up hide
“We've just published research on eating a box of chocolates,” Mr Spence said. “If you are 30-gram weight in a box of chocolates, that weight translates to a significant increase perceived(感知)quality of the chocolate.”
There are exceptions, but the association between weight and the perception of luxury(奢侈)applies to many items including tableware, perfume(香水)and wine, Mr. Spence said. “That's why in a restaurant, a waiter might artfully give you the bottle to weigh in your hand,” he added.
Black is basic
Black is the color most associated with luxury because, Mr. Spence said ,“it seems to be the color that we perceive to be the heaviest.”
Such luxury indications are learned, rather than inborn, so they can change over time. I'm doing a lot of work on transparency(透明) at the moment; high-quality packaged goods should have a transparent window because it suggests freshness or quality,” he said.
But the trend is recent, the professor added, because “traditionally luxury goods used to have nontransparent packaging. I think it has to do with the current desire for originality.”
Layer it on
Unnecessary wrapping(包裹)can be an ecological concern but, when it comes to luxury goods like wine in a presentation case, it does make an impression.
“Tissue layers are really good,” Mr. Spence said, “because the crinkle adds an extra sense to the experience.”
Consider a little perfume in the box or wrapping, and, if you want to involve other senses, work out some way for classical music to be playing when the gift is opened because we associate it with quality.
Engaging several senses at once is beneficial.“ The brain combines the inputs from each sense, both to determine what something is, but also to determine a reward value,”Mr. Spence said. Also, the more stimuli(刺激)to the senses, the more activity is produced in the orbitofrontal cortex, a small part of brain situated just beside the eyes. And the more activity there, the more rewarding something is perceived to be.
You can go too far
“Engaging an extra sense is more effective, but you can potentially have a disagreement if that extra sense doesn't match the others.” the professor said.
passage outline |
Supporting details |
Introduction |
a gift is given is more important than the gift itself. |
Research support |
Involvement of different may give you hotter experiences. |
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·Increase the of a gift: it improves perception of quality and luxury. |
·your gifts in black: it's considered to be the heaviest. ·Leave a transparent window in the packaging: people to associate it with originality. |
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·Wrap your gifts with tissue: it gives an extra sense which may to the receiver. ·Add perfume or music to the gift: they stimulate the senses of smell and . |
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·Don't go to : there is a risk that different senses don't match. |
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Conclusion |
The thought behind a gift . |