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bradshaw
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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 Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:03 am Post subject: Gifts for your new school |
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Hi guys,
I'm about to depart for Korea and I'm wondering if anyone can give me some ideas on gifts to bring for my school. Should I bring individual gifts for all teachers and the director? I know I've read a post about gift giving in Korea on here in the past, but the computer I'm currently using will not allow me to conduct a proper search! Thanks in advance. |
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jazblanc77
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:27 am Post subject: |
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Would you give gifts to a new employer in your home country? I'm guessing not.
If you want to become friendly with your coworkers, bring some drinks (juices, etc.), on your first day of work. Nothing more is necessary or even expected. |
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bradshaw
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:36 am Post subject: |
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| No, I wouldn't normally bring gifts for my coworkers on my first day of work in North America. I previously taught ESL in Japan and it was customary to bring gifts as a new employee to my school, at least. I was just curious if teachers at schools in Korea followed the same tradition. |
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daz1979
Joined: 29 Apr 2006
Location: Gangwon-Do
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:50 am Post subject: |
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| bradshaw wrote: |
| No, I wouldn't normally bring gifts for my coworkers on my first day of work in North America. I previously taught ESL in Japan and it was customary to bring gifts as a new employee to my school, at least. I was just curious if teachers at schools in Korea followed the same tradition. |
I kind of got the impression it was customary in Korea too.
Even if it's not customary, it's a nice thing to do. The way I see it is if a new co-worker gave me a gift on the 1st day I would definitely be more inclined to go out of my way to help them out and show them the ropes.
I'm bringing over 3 x small box of Thorntons for the K teachers, 1 x medium box for the Director and a huge box for myself. 
Anyone in Donghae-Shi that needs a Thorntons fix feel free to drop me a line  |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 11:50 am Post subject: |
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| Get a box, take a crap in it, wrap it, put it in the freezer, and save it for a rainy day. |
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Woden
Joined: 08 Mar 2007
Location: Eurasia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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| jazblanc77 wrote: |
Would you give gifts to a new employer in your home country? I'm guessing not.
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I think the OPs point is...this is not his/her home country, hence the question.
I wouldn't be bothered about walking down the road on a hot summer's day with a beer in my hand in my home country...but Saudi Arabia?
I wouldn't think twice about blowing my nose in public in my home country...but in Japan?
The problem with the world is often as simple as not taking other peoples' cultural traditions into account when in their company.
To the OP - maybe something cultural from your country, that they would appreciate. I remember as a primary (elementary) school child having an American teacher hand out little pencils with the Stars and Stripes on them. Just that little gesture has stuck with me for life...(sniffle, sniffle  ). |
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willneverteachagain
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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The problem with the world is often as simple as not taking other peoples' cultural traditions into account when in their company.
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people who come to canada from korea dont take canadian cultural into account, so why should we do it when we got there |
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Bukowski
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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You are off to a strong start by wanting to make a good first impression.
Definitely bring a special gift for your employer. Local drinks (individual juices that come in a box of 10~12) for your coworkers is common.
The choice is yours to make, but people that don't consider their new environment often begin on the "wrong" foot, and I would suspect that that is why many of them have difficulties here in Korea (which would explain the negative comments above).
Anyway, anything would be great from whiskey, wine, honey, any special item from your community.
Best of luck with your new position,
AC
With your attitude, I'm sure you'll do fine. |
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ChuckECheese
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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Just be yourself.
Would you offer any gift to your new employer back home?
Hell No!!!!!
It's teachers market. You don't have to kiss ass. In fact, they have to kiss your ass.  |
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bradshaw
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks to those who offered suggestions! |
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some waygug-in
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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| I wouldn't bring stuff the first day. You'll have enough to worry about already, but after a month or so, just bring in some fresh fruit, some juice or some pastry thingys once in a while. It does help to keep your co-workers happy. |
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newintown
Joined: 01 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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my boyf & i bought muchos gifts from duty free en route - 2 litres of baileys & 2 kilos of dairymilk chocolate, but after seeing our accomodation we kept them for ourselves  probably explains why we're both crying about having gained so much weight since we got here!
i think it is a nice gesture to bring something, and like you, i had read it was common, but most foreign teachers i've since spoken to didn't bother. i think the co-worker/juice idea is a good one though.
good luck in your new adventure!! |
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kimchi_pizza
Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Location: "Get back on the bus! Here it comes!"
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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| some waygug-in wrote: |
| I wouldn't bring stuff the first day. You'll have enough to worry about already, but after a month or so, just bring in some fresh fruit, some juice or some pastry thingys once in a while. It does help to keep your co-workers happy. |
This is good advice. Bring in a gift from overseas is more of a Japanese custom so I wouldn't bring anything. Use that space to bring good shirts, slacks and shoes(specially shoes, good shoes are hard to find) for yourself. They'll appreciate you looking presentable more than any gifts. |
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robot
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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yeh, it's super nice to bring stuff in every now and then...
vitamin c drinks in those little bottles are another winning choice.
ROBT. |
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awalk2remember
Joined: 29 Dec 2006
Location: Pusan
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| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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Hey There,
Don't listen to everyone that says you shouldn't bring anything.
I brought a few touristy things with me from my country and gave them to my v.p., my principal and my recruiter.
Being kind is ALWAYS good nomatter what country you are going to.
And don't you like getting little gifts yourself ? |
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