Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bbud656]

I might if the sponsored me to move to the other side of the country, put me up in housing, and handled all of my settling in.

[tukmax]

I brought a 26 or 40 ounce (can't remember which) of Crown Royal, the one that comes in the nice purple felt bag, from the duty free at the airport for my hagwon boss. He really liked it.

For Canadians you can bring in Turtles chocolates. I think they are pretty tasty and the staff should like it.

[RMNC]

[tatu]

I would find it odd that a new employee is giving people gifts on their first day of work.

[wylies99]

For the principal, just bring in one of those multi-packs of vitamin C or ginseng. You should wait and see how things go before spending your money on co-workers who may not be nice to you.

[Oliver]

[bbud656]

I am not too cash strapped, so spending a hundred bucks on the off chance that my coworkers think I am a decent guy seems like a worthwhile gamble. I guess I was really looking for some gift ideas on what I could get in the US that might be valued or harder to find in Korea, not a debate on whether I should get them anything at all.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Worked in a few schools, some good, some bad. The worst school was the one where I brought the principal a gift. So I'd say bringing a gift won't help you, and it's a waste of money. Wait until he does something helpful, and give him a present after that on the next holiday.

[Paladin Brewer]

[injuredeagle]

You know before coming to Korea I labored over these forums and others, trying to get some ideas for some gifts. I spent a lot of time on it and guess what happened? My principal refused the gift, which then I felt weird giving anyone gifts. I have the whole story here:

http://alexpickett.com/2011/02/25/welcome-to-korea-should-i-give-my-principal-a-gift/

[rumdiary]

I brought a bottle of whiskey for the director. I asked my coworkers if he drank before I gave it to him and they all seemed shocked that I had brought him any gift at all. After work I drank the whiskey with my coworkers and we had a great night and all bonded. Since you will be spending a lot more time with your coteachers I would advise bringing something from home for them. They'll get more use out of a bottle of maple syrup than your boss.

Wine would be a great gift. I wouldn't get an expensive bottle though. See's candy if you're from the States. A bottle of BBQ sauce. A baseball cap from your local team.

[sojusucks]

Don't set these newbies up for problems. First impressions are very important. If you walk into your school, on the first day, and hand your Principal a bottle of Jack Daniels, you are sending the wrong message about yourself. Just think about it. In the eyes of many Koreans, the reputation of foreign teachers is that we're all a bunch of boozehounds. If you walk in to school with booze before anyone has seen you teach, and yell, "Greetings from the land of Kentucky bourbon", you will send the message that you came to drink and that you are a heavy drinker. You may never be able to convince anyone otherwise.

[sojusucks]

[cat_herder]

Reviving this thread, because it's something I've been thinking about. I got into EPIK and will be starting as a GET in a metropolitan area in August.

Seems to be controversial -- I'm wondering if that is reflective of the difference between hagwon and public school cultures?

I'm not made of money, so I would probably go with something relatively simple, like good local (I'm from Pennsylvania) honey, or nice chocolate. I have a connection and can get really fancy (Intelligentsia) coffee almost at cost, but it seems I would probably need to bring it pre-ground?

Would it be appropriate to bring some kind of communal gift to share in the staff room (like chocolate, or coffee, etc.) with a note, and NOT get individual gifts (for principal, vice principal, etc.). I honestly feel most comfortable with this option, because it seems less likely to be mis-interpreted (I've been reading people's stories of principals unwilling to accept gifts as a matter of ethics), and is more about fostering general goodwill.

I know it's probably different, but as an American working in academic environments, gifts/sharing food in the staff room is a relatively common practice and nearly always appreciated, even if it's just a box of clementines. So, that's probably why I feel most comfortable with this option.

Maybe give a small gift with thank-you card to the co-teacher after the first week or so to show my appreciation for his/her assistance (am told that the co-teacher is likely to help me set up cell phone/bank account, etc.) depending on how that actually goes...? But would this seem offensive if I don't give one to principal(s)?

Thoughts? It probably seems like I am agonizing over this, but I just want to make a good first impression, and I am appreciative of the fact that I will be a newcomer, etc.

Also, in my current job I sometimes receive gifts from the grad students to whom I've devoted a lot of time/help (I'm a librarian). I've noticed these students are usually international female students from Asia and that they give the gift after I've finished helping them (obviously more delicate). I appreciate the thought, as a thank-you no matter what it is, even just a card.

[northway]

Shared food is an okay choice, a personal gift makes it seem like a study abroad program (which it's not). Don't get coffee though, as there is unlikely to be anywhere to brew it (instant coffee rules the day in Korea, for the most part).