For the men here, is it better to ask beforehand rather than surprise them with a gift?

I’m Dai, a male member. If you feel like giving her a gift, you’ve probably been seeing each other for quite a while, so I think you should choose something with her preferences in mind. If she asked me beforehand, I’d politely decline the gift itself. But if it were a surprise, I’d be genuinely happy to receive it, knowing she had thought of me. That said, if a woman gives a man a gift, he may also become a little wary. It’s nice to grow closer, but I’d prefer to keep a healthy sense of distance in the relationship.

If I’m asked beforehand, I’ll just end up not wanting a present at all, so please don’t do that. I’d honestly rather receive some kind of surprise, even if I don’t know what it is. If I have no use for it, I’ll give it to someone else—or throw it away if that’s not possible. But being asked in advance and having to choose it myself? That gives me the creeps. Paper Airplane

I’m Taro, a male member. I think it depends on the person when it comes to gifts. Some people love surprises, while others would rather choose something together. And since this is papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan), some people may feel they don’t need gifts at all. Regardless of the other person’s preferences, I think it’s a good thing to give a gift after putting thought into what they might like and what would make them happy. Even if the gift doesn’t match their personal preferences, someone who receives a heartfelt gift will appreciate the thought behind it, and the relationship may grow closer. If that isn’t the case, it could simply reflect their immaturity—or there may be something preventing your feelings from getting through. In that situation, it might be worth reconsidering the relationship. So, if you’ve put this much thought into it, I think you should go ahead and surprise them rather than asking beforehand. Whether it works out or not, you’ll gain some direction on how to move forward.