Job Discussion Forums

[Russoregon]

I am wondering if any teachers here brought gifts for anyone from the school that hired them. I'm not sure of the etiquette in China, but feel it would be appropriate to bring a gift to my contact person at the college, and maybe the head of the department. If there are a few of you that did this, what type of gifts would be appropriate?

Thanks for your input.

I did trying searching this topic but didn't find anything recent at all.

[spiral78]

Very nice query! You are obviously highly civilized to think of it and such sensitivity can go far to help one fit in in a foreign context.

I can't speak for China, but I've received quite a few gifts this past week from my student/teachers arriving from the 'stans. As an instructor and administrator, it's nice to be recognized (I've been doing some stuff to help them prepare for their visit here).

IMO, the best stuff is useful/consumable - bags the right size to carry papers and books, for example. Ones with cool foreign logos or design - not talking like handbags or backpacks, but 'just' those simple cloth bags with handles. And/or consumable treats unavailable in my local context.

[Babala]

If it's for a woman then face cream/lotion is the way to go. They love that stuff here. Anything to make them "more beautiful". It's weird though, they don't wear makeup which would make them more beautiful

[Russoregon]

Great advice Spiral, thanks! I know the type of bag you are talking about, and hadn't thought about that.

I was thinking chocolate or nuts, but I'm not sure that type of thing is very difficult to get in China anymore.

[Russoregon]

Thanks Babala! Is there a brand that you would recommend? I know Lancome, and Clinique or pretty popular here in the States.

[spiral78]

Put the face cream in a cool bag and they will love you forever, I guess, though isn't there an implicit message that they aren't already beautiful enough?
And I'm still impressed that anyone thinks of the energy and effort people in admin positions spend on choosing and hiring and making arrangements for new teachers.

Good on ya.

[Russoregon]

Lotion in a cool bag! That's it! What a great idea! This is why I come here so often looking for information.

I appreciate the kind words. It just makes sense for me to try and start out on the right foot, and I certainly do appreciate what a few of the people from the school are doing for me.

[Babala]

Anything with whitening cream in it. They do anything possible to make their skin whiter.

I'm afraid I don't know the popular brands here. Chinese people are always asking me what creams I use and are shocked when I tell them I simply use 3.5 yuan soap.

[Non Sequitur]

Great thread. Something I never thought of doing.

[nomad soul]

[jimpellow]

My favorite gift to give was a clock, wrapped in white paper, with the time set to 4.

Chinese gift culture is very involved and different than Western ones. This article will give some guidelines.

http://chineseculture.about.com/od/chinesefestivals/a/Chinese-Culture-Chinese-Gift-Giving-Etiquette.htm

I would not agree with the article about the one refusal as often there are about three.

Additionally it is often customary to give two of the same thing. This would drive me crazy. My first Chinese girlfriend insisted I buy a gift whenever we visited someone, including my foreign friends who could care less about gifts. I would then have to decide, for example, to buy two bottles of cheap booze that they would not appreciate, or two good ones (though there was a fair chance they were counterfeit too) and eat the hefty bill.

I was always very humbled by the gifts I would receive from students, parents and schools, even if it was sometimes motivated by the desire to portray themselves in a certain way. After my wallet went the way of a master pickpocket, some of my students purchased me a VERY expensive one. This I know as they left the price tag on it.

I became very paranoid over the years with employers sensing any weakness on my part as it usually was a door to exploitation. Hence, I would wait until after the employment ended before I would give gifts to people who made my employment easier rather than harder. I don't think giving a gift at the beginning would be perceived as a sign of weakness, but I am unsure. Some Asian cultures can see generosity, compassion and selflessness as a sign of weakness, or having weak will.

So i guess I would suggest carry your self with a sense of confidence up to the point you give the gifts and it will be perceived as an act of kindness. Carry yourself otherwise and that same gift will be perceived as an act of weakness.

[Non Sequitur]

Ah Grasshopper. I see you have at last chosen spiritual path.
'Now take these stones from my hand'.

[Brunouno]

[Russoregon]

Thanks for all the input, I do appreciate it. I will give a gift and take my chances at appearing weak, and show strength when and if that is needed.

[Non Sequitur]