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Bringing a gift for my employer?

 
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Ragmgar



Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:44 am    Post subject: Bringing a gift for my employer? Reply with quote

Hello all, I have a quick question I'd like to ask. I will be heading to Japan around the 24th to begin work for a University, is it appropriate to bring some sort of gift for managers in my department? I've done this at a few other jobs in South Korea and China and was almost always met with a sort of "Meh" attitude, but I have heard that Japan is on a whole other level when it comes to such things. It might have also been that I brought local specialized barbecue sauce from Kansas... I thought it was clever and unique but again, I'm from Kansas. Smile
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rtm



Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US

PostPosted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 4:06 am    Post subject: Re: Bringing a gift for my employer? Reply with quote

Something small for fellow teachers and admin would probably be appreciated and a nice way to meet people when you first arrive. If the barbecue sauce is quite sweet, some people probably won't like it, though they'll still appreciate the gesture.
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Ragmgar



Joined: 14 Mar 2011
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:30 pm    Post subject: BBQ sauce Reply with quote

Perfect, KC sauces such as Gates or Arthur Bryants are actually fairly vinegary, they may go over well there![/quote]
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move



Joined: 30 May 2009
Posts: 132

PostPosted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gifts go a long way in this culture but I think the thought would be more appreciated than BBQ sauce (I however would be excited). I mean, did you think they would portion it out into small cups for everybody to take home? Or perhaps keep it in their office to put on their white rice?

Think chocolate or rice crackers, individually wrapped is ideal. That way they don't have to portion it out on napkins or whatever. I don't know how some people resist the temptation and keep snacks for weeks. I eat mine almost before they hit my desk. If you could find a local brand of something that isn't available overseas then that would be cool. Avoid cloyingly sweet and spicy as hell. In other words, no Extra Flaming Hot Cheetos. If it's chocolate I usually opt for dark instead of milk, and nuts and chews instead of fills.

Finally, you might want to consider giving snacks to the people in your department's office. They're the one who do all the grunt work and have a lot less vacation time than the teaching staff.
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