礼尚往来的意思是礼注重相互往来和互惠，可以翻译为etiquette requires reciprocity and mutual benefit。

“礼”即礼制；“尚”即崇尚、注重。有时也表示用对方对待自己的态度和方式去对待对方（one should treat the other party in the way the other party treats you），类似于“即以其人之道，还治其人之身”。

例子：

礼尚往来。往而不来，非礼也；来而不往，亦非礼也。

Etiquette values reciprocity and mutual benefit. It would go against it if someone who has received a gift does not reciprocate such goodwill.