Job Discussion Forums

[Margot73]

One of my students works as a baker and brought me in a cheesecake. I accepted it and thanked him profusely..Now I'm wondering if I should have. It a class for adults with no grading.

[vashdown2]

Sounds good to me. Especially if he bakes well....ha ha



My student in Mexico brought me a HUGE fruit basket filled with mangoes and papayes for my Birthday. Dont know if that counts as "bribing" but I sure felt good.

[movinaround]

I don't think there is anything wrong with that. That happens back home sometimes too. Only worry about stuff he brings you AFTER you give him a bad mark

[denise]

I think it's fine to accept things, but for me it's a bit awkward since I'm vegan and usually can't eat what they give me! Even though the topic usually comes up in class (and the students of course tease me about it!), they never quite understand what it means, and I really can't say no to all of the treats that they bring in. I just save them and give them to friends later.

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[Guy Courchesne]

I really like the food gifts Mexican students give to me...very often it's to present something of Mexico that they think might be new to me as a foreigner. I often reciprocate with Canadian treats I pick up, or things I bake.

[bigbadsuzie]

When I started to give private lessons in a small town I was living in the kids brought home made food instead of cash ,at least I never went hungry .It usually creates more problems when you refuse their gifts . Take them with a smile you deserve it .

[Gordon]

I think you need to be careful. I had a student who would bring me something every week, most of it I didn't really like, but I saw it as being friendly and perhaps a form of bribery. I told her that if she wanted to bring something to class, it had to be for everyone, not just for me. (By the way, it was a poor immigrant class where most students had very little money). I didn't want others to feel obligated to bring things, which I suspected some thought.

[dmb]

Does it not depend on the culture? In Turkey to refuse would be to offend.

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Depending on the skills of the chef, to offer could be too ...

[coffeedrinker]

I generally think it's okay and have on occasion brought things for my classes.

It may be cautious or pre-emptive or something but it may be good to always save it for later to sample...that way if someone brings in something you're afraid of, you have an "escape hatch" later.

I suppose it could get awkward if it's repeated and from one student. But hey, free food. We're "poor" efl teachers, come on

[shuize]

[ls650]

Sure, I accept any food gifts from my students. So far I haven't received any desserts with chocolate Ex-Lax in them...

I just wish they'd bring me some beer for once instead!

[kaw]

A cheesecake sounds fine. I was given a hamster once by a student in Istanbul........we lived very happily together until I left the country.

[dmb]

[Will.]

Did you like the cheesecake?

maybe you clould trade for some private lessons????

Of course it is ok.
I have been given cheese, whole ones, half a dozen pike, several kilos of mushrooms, berries in a numerous variety of contairers at diferent times of the year by happy and grateful students.

It is your duty as an ELT teacher to deliver the 'My favourite food' lesson at the beginning of each year/term/semester with each new class. In this way andd this way only can youn guarantee that when a present is given it will be one you like. It is also a good establishment of resource availability.. who can get what, for whom and for how much.
It makes you more human to your students. You never know you could get invited away for the weekend as well.