Job Discussion Forums

KateCee · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 72 Location: China....no more.

Hi,

I will be leaving Toronto for Hangzhou next week. What are appropriate gifts for the school staff? There�s the Principal & the Head of the English teachers who I�ve been corresponding with. He will also be picking me up from the airport. I have in mind those crystals bowls with/without a lid. They cost around $15 Canadian. Is this OK enough? I will be teaching 10 of the English teachers, too. Do I have to take something for them, too?

Most importantly, there�s an Australian gentleman who referred me to this school. He�s been very helpful with all my questions. What could I take for him? Apparently, Australia produces maple syrup as well. Didn�t know that. I know they have a big wine industry down under. Do you know if they get locally made ice wine? That�s the only other Canadian product I can think of. Could I have some suggestions please?

Thanks.
Kate

NumberOneSon · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Posts: 314

I wouldn't go overboard on the gifts. Something simple is
probably best. If you give something that looks too nice
(like those crystal bowls), the teachers might feel obligated
to get you somethiing "nice" in return.

The maple syrup sounds like a good idea, but bring some
pancake mix, too.

Simple local foods (or candies) are probably more appropriate
than something too fancy, though.

I know one thing I would have liked as a gift was REAL
"dustless" chalk and a chalkholder to keep from getting
the stuff on my hands all the time.

Ozone · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 27 Location: Denmark

The crystal bowls are too expensive and too difficult to transport. Maple syrup/ maple syrup candy would be nice, even without the pancake mix. Anything simple or local, like "Numberoneson" says. You don't need to bring gifts for your students--maybe you could bring pancake mix and invite them over for pancakes some night, if you feel like it.

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China

Chinese people are really into stamp collecting, so that's a good, cheap, easy-to-transport option.

Also, remember that Chinese people are really into Norman Bethune, so any Bethune-related material would probably go over really well.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Pictures. Photos of your folks are the best bet.
Crystal bowls - a waste of money! The Chinese show little appreciation for extravagant things, besides they will have no use for them.
Something kitschy might do too! Postcards, amuletts, or yes: stamps!

KateCee · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 72 Location: China....no more.

Thanks for all your answers. You, too, MartinK. It takes all kinds to make this world an interesting place.

Anyway, I�m glad I asked about the crystal bowls because I would definitely not want to make my new colleagues uncomfortable or worse still, feel indebted. They�ve been very nice in the past few weeks with all my questions and most of all, I appreciate them willing to fork out an extra 300 bucks (Canadian) for my ticket because I prefer to avoid flying via the US. Nothing personal. I�ve not had a very good experience with the Immigration folks in the past 2 years. I�m of Indian origin, so I understand their reasons; but I don�t like the scrutiny.

I�ve got 2 more question which I�ll post separately.

Kate

Steiner · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 573 Location: Hunan China

Good idea avoiding the U.S. It's nice flying in China. It's like you're in a free country, nothing like the States.

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

KateCee · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 72 Location: China....no more.

Hello again everyone,

I wanted to thank you all once again for your suggestions regarding gifts for my new colleagues. You all are absolutely right about the crystal bowls. I have been to some of the teachers' homes in over the past (nearly) 2 weeks & I found them devoid of any "fluff". The pens, Maple Leaf hats and stickers were welcomed. I've saved the pins, stamps and other little stuff for future occasions. A fellow Canadian's (thanks, Ellen!) tip about getting the Canada pins from the local MP's office was brilliant. They happily dished them out along with some literature.

MartinK, when I first read your post, I misconstrued it as "Don't bother with gifts 'cos they are not worthy". Apologies for that. I thought you were not particularly cheerful that day. I now realise you are one of funniest chaps on this branch. I, too, feel bad about teachers who ditch their schools for a higher salary. In all honesty, I'm not happy with the pay at this school, but it has been good to its past teachers (and me so far); and security was paramount when I decided to move to China. Then again, money and the quest for it, means different things to different people.

And yes, I can do this Smile

too. I don't use graphics very frequently as I'm not been artistically inclined. Now that we are pampered with the emoticons, I still use them rarely.

Kate

Steiner · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 573 Location: Hunan China

Glad things worked out well for you, Kate. Welcome to China.

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

Gift for school staff? Many need the Wizard of Oz's list: Brains, heart, nerve, and a one-way ticket to Kansas. Twisted Evil

MT

KateCee · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 72 Location: China....no more.

stil · Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 259 Location: Hunan

Kate

I to am a Canadian of Indian origin as well, and you were smart to avoid U.S customs. It was a nightmare when I came over in September. The gifts the others have mentioned are good. If you can, bring some small stickers with a Canadian theme for your students as well. You can use them as prizes. The kids (all ages) really like them. Pictures or postcards of native animals like beavers, caribou, even chipmunks will go over well. Keep the students happy and the staff will be happy.

Oh yeah, the staff and students will probably also like coins. Many people collect them.

Stil

KateCee · Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 72 Location: China....no more.

Hi Stil,

It wasn't the Customs that hasseld me, but Immigration. My Canadian passport meant jack to them. Each time, I was asked to fill out the form that is required of visitors entering the US for a vist. On every occassion, I was just a transit passenger. Yet, that form was forced upon me only for the next Officer to tell me that as a Canadian citizen I didn't need to fill it in. If they would only look at my passport before they proceeded to yell for all and sundry to hear. I must add though, that for every distasteful encounter I had, there were 2 other officials who were the very opposite and they even apologised for their colleagues mistakes. I was relieved that the school understood my apprehension.

Yup, I've brought along postcards, coins, stamps, stickers, local newpapers, flyers, brochures....quite a load. Thanks to all the helpful posters on this site, it made planning for this trip so much easier.

Kate