Job Discussion Forums

linzbc · Joined: 04 Feb 2009 Posts: 29 Location: Arlington, VA, US

I am staying with a friend's family in Taiwan until I find an apt... I would like to bring them a gift. Does anyone have any ideas?

I went to a farmer's market the other day and picked up some distinctly Virginian things... I got a jar of cranberry chutney (I heard cranberries are hard to come by in Taiwan) and a jar of huckleberry honey in a very cute bear jar.

I feel like I need a few more small things just to put in a gift basket, I was thinking a touristy mug with some teas that are hard to find in Taiwan (since Taiwanese like tea)? Does anyone know of any teas I can bring?

Any other ideas? Anything else distinctly american? I have no idea... Thanks!

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Teas?

Teas of the eastern and western flavours are pretty easy to find in the big Taiwanese cities. I wouldn't go for that.

Why not get something especially local to where you are from. It doesn't have to be food but maybe something like a special cloth. Its far easier to pack as well.

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Get a bottle of whatever hard liquor is famous in your area. Even if no one in the family drinks, they can pass it on as a gift to someone who does. Really though, it doesn't matter what you give them, with Chinese culture it definitely is the thought that counts.

...whenever I head back to Canada I am bombarded with requests for Centrum vitamins...

StayingPower · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 252

Go to Taipei 101, to the observatory. They have some nice wine glasses up there or you can send them a picture of you climbing Taipei 101 like King Kong. You could also send them a beautiful gift of your choice, maybe even go to Jasons.

Open market stuff is pretty generic, and tea isn't exactly well known where I come from.

jgmodlin · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 120 Location: USA

IrishTony · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

Drinks like Whiskey, Brandy or wine are very good. I think its safe to say stay away from chocolate or sweets as gifts.
Something small, simple and meaningful (like traditional to your home) is probably the best way to go. A nice simple framed picture of a scenic area from home?

Tony

www.taiwancelts.com

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

Hi Glad you found a place!!!
I was going to ask if you would like to stay with my family but things are a bit cramped here. Seems like you are doing fine picking out gifts. One that is very practical is a big bottle of Multiple Vitamins. Whenever I go back to the states for a visit I ask people what they would like for me to bring back for them and they always ask for Multiple Vitamins (made in USA). It's possible to buy them here at Costco, but not everyone has a membership card. If you prefer Alleve over other pain relievers you might bring some of those, it's possible to find naproxene sodium (generic Alleve) here but the quality is lower, I can feel the difference.

Cranberry chutney....huckleberry honey....you're killing me over here, hahahaha. Those are definately Hobo food items, Laughing

I am so happy that you are excited about your trip to TW.
PM me when you get here and perhaps we can get together for some coffee or go to a nice park on the weekend sometime and do some Tai Chi.