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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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 Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: gift for Korean co-teacher, VP and Principal? |
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I'm coming over next week and I was thinking of bringing over a small gift to my Korean co-teacher/coordinator (I'll be the only foreign teacher in the school), the VP and the Principal. (it's a public school)
I've done my research on the position, have communicated via e-mail to the FT leaving and I think it will work out well.
as a way of starting things off on the right foot (don't mistake this for sucking up, but I believe in making an honest effort to make a positive first impression)
I was thinking of bringing them a small gift.
Would this be usual/unusual?
proper/improper?
and what kind of gift? is there something that the culture appreciates? (for e.g. in Venezuela they really appreciate fine whiskey) |
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garykasparov
Joined: 27 May 2007
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: gift for Korean co-teacher, VP and Principal? |
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| bogey666 wrote: |
I'm coming over next week and I was thinking of bringing over a small gift to my Korean co-teacher/coordinator (I'll be the only foreign teacher in the school), the VP and the Principal. (it's a public school)
I've done my research on the position, have communicated via e-mail to the FT leaving and I think it will work out well.
as a way of starting things off on the right foot (don't mistake this for sucking up, but I believe in making an honest effort to make a positive first impression)
I was thinking of bringing them a small gift.
Would this be usual/unusual?
proper/improper?
and what kind of gift? is there something that the culture appreciates? (for e.g. in Venezuela they really appreciate fine whiskey) |
> gay porn
> pot
> vibrator
> KY Jelly |
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Countrygirl
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Location: in the classroom
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Can't go wrong with face cream for the Korean ladies. It shouldn't be too expensive (think drugstore brand) and Koreans think that Western cosmetics are exotic and better than Korean brands. Maple syrup and honey are basics as well. |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Countrygirl wrote: |
| Can't go wrong with face cream for the Korean ladies. It shouldn't be too expensive (think drugstore brand) and Koreans think that Western cosmetics are exotic and better than Korean brands. Maple syrup and honey are basics as well. |
maple syrup and honey? I'm confused. are these delicacies or something in Korea? |
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Fishead soup
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: gift for Korean co-teacher, VP and Principal? |
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| garykasparov wrote: |
| bogey666 wrote: |
I'm coming over next week and I was thinking of bringing over a small gift to my Korean co-teacher/coordinator (I'll be the only foreign teacher in the school), the VP and the Principal. (it's a public school)
I've done my research on the position, have communicated via e-mail to the FT leaving and I think it will work out well.
as a way of starting things off on the right foot (don't mistake this for sucking up, but I believe in making an honest effort to make a positive first impression)
I was thinking of bringing them a small gift.
Would this be usual/unusual?
proper/improper?
and what kind of gift? is there something that the culture appreciates? (for e.g. in Venezuela they really appreciate fine whiskey) |
> gay porn
> pot
> vibrator
> KY Jelly |
Viagra
Kumagra
Cialis |
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Countrygirl
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Location: in the classroom
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:04 am Post subject: |
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| bogey666 wrote: |
| Countrygirl wrote: |
| Can't go wrong with face cream for the Korean ladies. It shouldn't be too expensive (think drugstore brand) and Koreans think that Western cosmetics are exotic and better than Korean brands. Maple syrup and honey are basics as well. |
maple syrup and honey? I'm confused. are these delicacies or something in Korea? |
They are used in cooking Korean food and the honey can be used on it's own as a tea. Even if the person you give them to doesn't use honey or maple syrup they are great for regifting. Maple syrup and honey are very expensive in Korea and I think that Western maple syrup and honey are considered to be better quality.
Nice chocolates make a good gift as well. Oh, and a bag of good quality coffee. Coffee is very expensive here (17,000 won for a small bag of starbucks). You might want to bring a year supply of coffee for yourself if you're a coffee drinker. |
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yeremy
Joined: 05 Nov 2007
Location: Anywhere's there's a good bookstore.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:54 am Post subject: Nice but unnecessary |
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| If you want to make a good impression then you should dress well, be polite & respectful, clean your lunch tray at lunchtime, prepare like a maniac, be good to your students, chill whenever things come up at the last minute, and above all- teach hard. |
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ds_fan
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: |
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| i felt bad not getting them anything, though i couldnt fit anything else in my case, did most people bring something over? |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Nice but unnecessary |
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| yeremy wrote: |
| If you want to make a good impression then you should dress well, be polite & respectful, clean your lunch tray at lunchtime, prepare like a maniac, be good to your students, chill whenever things come up at the last minute, and above all- teach hard. |
I plan on doing that anyways... part of a "professional" approach to the job. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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In K-land they appreciate fine whisky too... they'll drop a shot glass of thirty-year-old, single malt scotch into a mug full of a 'shit mix' of: beer, brandy, soju and some disgusting, sickly-sweet wine.  They'll pass it to you and say "One shot." (pound it)... do not do it!
Smile knowingly, fill the principal's and v.p.'s soju glasses (using both hands... one of them will fill yours) and propose a toast to the Korean education system (they won't have clue what you're saying) and 'one shot' the soju. You'll be loved forever.  |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| OP- No need to bring presents. I don't anyone who ever did that, except a few posters on Dave's. Can you give them gifts and then tell them you won't teach on Saturdays in the next breath? They may test you like that. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Countrygirl wrote: |
| bogey666 wrote: |
| Countrygirl wrote: |
| Can't go wrong with face cream for the Korean ladies. It shouldn't be too expensive (think drugstore brand) and Koreans think that Western cosmetics are exotic and better than Korean brands. Maple syrup and honey are basics as well. |
maple syrup and honey? I'm confused. are these delicacies or something in Korea? |
They are used in cooking Korean food and the honey can be used on it's own as a tea. Even if the person you give them to doesn't use honey or maple syrup they are great for regifting. Maple syrup and honey are very expensive in Korea and I think that Western maple syrup and honey are considered to be better quality.
Nice chocolates make a good gift as well. Oh, and a bag of good quality coffee. Coffee is very expensive here (17,000 won for a small bag of starbucks). You might want to bring a year supply of coffee for yourself if you're a coffee drinker. |
How much is "year's supply"of coffee? How did you bring it with you? In a suitcase?
Honey? Maple Syrup? Those are available at any store. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Do you give a gift to your boss when you start a new job in Canada?
I think the vast majority of people would answer "No."... so, why do some people think it's necessary in Korea?
You're not an ambassador, you're an employee. Bring the principal etc. gifts when you come back from an extended vacation. To do so before that puts you at an unnecessary level of subserviance. |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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Btw, how are alcohol gifts? Acceptable? I've seen a few people on this board mention they brought them as gifts.
I work at a store that sells alcohol during the summer and we have a nice selection of stuff I'm sure the Koreans will enjoy. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Ukon wrote: |
| Btw, how are alcohol gifts? Acceptable? |
Rhetorical questions?
Do bears...?
Is the pope...?
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