Job Discussion Forums

LITTLE PEACHES · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:21 pm Post subject: small gifts for coworkers etc

i'm trying to figure out what to bring with me as my gifts to japan. with the 4th of july passing i was thinking of getting little american beenie babies and candy and such. is that a good idea? or is there something better. I'm so lost with these gifts and what is and isn't appropriate.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You are not obligated whatsoever to bring anything. This has been brought up many times so do a search.

Whatever you choose to bring, make it small and somehow identifiable to outside Japan:

individually wrapped goodies (cookies, cakes, candies)
foreign logos (U.S. flag on pens, e.g.)
something for everyone (flavored coffee, decaf, tea, e.g.)

G Cthulhu

Don't bring anything. It's not worth it and without know the people you can't get it right. Don't worry, they won't think anything less of you for not bringing anything: eigomonkey is as low as it gets... Wink

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

eigomonkey is as low as it gets

No, a person who makes a comment like that is as low as it gets.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject:

Whats an eigomonkey? I imagine a little fluffy toy I can give my coworkers Very Happy

then they might go, oh I've got loads of them! :s Smile

can we make some eigomonkeys Confused

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject:

Now I think about it a box of cookies would be a great gift defo!

Your students and cow-orkers would be very happy with a bow of them in the school lobby and a sign, 'From the new teacher from the USA!' Smart!

If it is a giftbox then better maybe with 'CALIFORNIA' on it! It starts conversations better than 'high I am you're new eigomonkey' ROFLMAO!! :LOL: Very Happy

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject:

I wish I did that now! Confused

You only have one chance to make your first impression Wink

Box of cookies! on the lobby desk, but not to sweat, the Japanese prefer cookies not to sweat. Very Happy

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

I echo Glenski and G Cthulhu's words and contend that bringing no omiyage (souvenir) is perfectly all right. In the JET Programme so many new ALTs get so unnecessarily worked up over this. Save your shekels and use the extra space in your luggage for something else. Give yourself one less thing to worry about. No one will expect anything from you, nor will they lose a millisecond of sleep over you not bringing them anything. Seriously!

What would make a great impression would be to bring back omiyage for the office after that first Japan trip that you take. Weekend trip to Kyoto? Bring back enough individually packaged Kyoto treats that you bought at the train station omiyage store (no, this is not poor form, it's quite common and perfectly acceptable, plus the goods are of high quality!). The office will be thankful for this gesture and it can provide small talk on what you saw and what you ate and what you did, and more importantly, it can show them your interest in Japan.

Regards,
fat_chris

LITTLE PEACHES · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject:

thats a great idea fat_chris...i'm gonna stop sweating this issue then

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

Don"t sweat it, as has been pointed out.

I don't know about not bring anything. I brought over a few pounds of individually wrapped candy from a gourmet confectionary, which I set out for the staff at my main school after I gave my small self-introduction at the morning meeting, and I was still getting "thank you"s about that months later.

People will also appreciate anything from where you are from. Cheap post cards and tourist key chains as prizes or small gifts for students are pretty handy. I restocked on this stuff when I went home last spring.

Also, one or two "nice" gifts, whatever your (inexpensive) version of that is, will come in handy for the one or two individuals that will really help you out in the beginning.

Again, don't sweat it. I just recommend getting a few, simple, economical gifts like I mentioned.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The sentence "high I am you're new eigomonkey" (sic) would definitely cause them to worry whether you were qualified actually for the job... Confused

I agree, no, omiyage expected. Smashed cookies that had just been on an international flight wouldn't be good. Save the omiyage-giving for when you've been there a while and take a trip home or somewhere else.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject:

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

A question: when JTEs get transferred and first arrive at their new school, is it common for them to bring omiyage or some other small present for their new colleagues?

iverin · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 111 Location: Ontario

I brought a box of local chocolates. It was pretty thin, although long, but it didn't take up much room. Because I flew at the end of November it was safe from melting as well. It sat on the desk in the staff room for the first few days I was there and the staff really enjoyed it. My school loved to get cookies and chocolates and were often given gifts by students on a weekly basis so there was always some sort of treat in the staff room.

seklarwia · Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:21 am Post subject: