Job Discussion Forums

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

This topic has been answered many times. While it is nice to bring gifts for your boss and co-workers, it is not necessary at all. If you insist on doing that, consider what YOU would like if a foreigner showed up on your home office. Japanese are big on coffee (flavored is especially nice, decaf is hard to find). Snacks like cookies are ok as long as they are individually wrapped ones. Don't go overboard on these. You probably won't even know how many people are in the office, and you certainly wouldn't want to come up short.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

Individually wrapped packs of instant oatmeal. The last time I was there, Japanese were unfamiliar with this food. It is really, really hard to find a food that Japanese haven't heard of or even tried. Glenski gives good advice. You really don't know how much to bring and who for. The instant oatmeal thing is more of something you'd give to a Japanese person you have befriened. It's a casual gift. For Japanese the present package is just as important as the content; maybe even more important. So, give the oatmeal to a buddy after you've been there for a while. Eat it together and you might get to see you friend make a funny face. Surprised

I say this, because this is the only food that my Japanese husband thinks is weird.

joncharles · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Beijing

I think it is more common to bring small gifts after you go on holiday and return than when you first arrive. Hardly anyone I knew brought gifts with them when they arrive and I don't think they would expect it from you. As mentioned above, you really don't know how many people. But don't let that discourage you if you really want to bring something. You will find that many times when your students go off on a holiday they will bring you a small gift.. a trinket or an individually wrapped food item.

Quaker Instant Oatmeal individual packages.... the first two years I was there you couldn't find that anywhere... Except maybe in some international shops like Sony Mini Plaza, where it was quite expensive. During my last year suddenly many of the larger supermarkets were carrying it ( and cheaper, less than 500 yen per box)... One place actually had THREE flavors, Regular, Apple-Cinnamon, and Maple Brown Sugar (my favorite)

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

Really? Wow, then there is nothing left to surprise Japanese friends. I used to bring back foods I thought were unique only to find that Japanese had already heard of them and ate them often. I one brought back some Quaker rice cakes. I thought it was so neat. My friends were so happy, and then later told me that they have a similar food already. Oh well. Can anyone think of a food Japanese people are unfamiliar with?

J. · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 327

Nope. I can't think of anything they haven't tried except maybe licorice and most don't like that. But my students are crazy about Maple syrup and maple sugar cookies. They always ask for those and bring them back themselves. Also flavoured coffee is not always easy to find here. And herb tea should be really popular...Celestial Seasonings has a Cranberry Cove one that's good. You could just buy a few boxes and hand out the bags when they are making tea at the office...or at home just serve it to guests.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

When I first got to Japan, I gave one boss a kilo of flavoured coffee (real cheap at Costco) and another boss a big picture book on Canada. I know I didn't have to do it, but it was appreciated.

When I return from trips overseas, I always bring small gifts for the ladies in the office. This helps to grease the wheels of efficiency and makes my life go smoother. I also feel sorry for them because they never get to go anywhere and rarely get time off.