Korean Job Discussion Forums

[K-in-C]

A couple of years ago I bought a gold plated set of mini chopsticks and a baby spoon. It was around 20,000 won. I believe I bought it in the jewelery section of a Home Plus or E-Mart.

Have fun!

[Juregen]

[princess]

[tzechuk]

[tzechuk]

[riley]

I just wanted to say that Letty has a very interesting and thoughtful godfather.
As for me, for my neice's 100 day, that was for close family and we bought a small gold ring. Though considering my sister in law turned all the gold into money and she got less money than we paid for, I think she would have appreciated cash more.
For her one year birthday, we gave money. I would have liked to buy something but it didn't happen. At that one, there were a lot more people and it was family and friends.
Both times we got a free meal and it was nice food, or at least better than a wedding.

[Jasobang]

It's not about getting gifts or money. It's about having friends and family and co-workers (culture) sharing in the big occasion.

My son had his first birthday last month. When it was said and done it ended up costing us money. A meal usually runs between 25 ~35,000 per. Top that off with the thank you gifts, balloon artist and videos/pictures and there's not much left, if anything.

It's not about the money. If you think that it is, then you haven't actually gone through it personally. From the outside it may look like it, but from the inside it is far from it.

[Pak Yu Man]

[rothkowitz]

Money is always welcome...decent amount though.Maybe follow the same amount rule as you would for a wedding.ie 30.000 for whatsisname?and 50.000 if yr good friends.

Let them figure out what to do with the dosh.You don't have to go present hunting.

[teachingld2004]

I went to a 1 yr old's birthday party, and had a really good time. The person who invited me was the baby's father. He is in my adult conversation class.

At the party, only one other person spoke English, and that was the assistant pastor of their church.

I felt funny going, but I knew I should go. My adult class is wonderful. The people who come want to be thre, and they have quite a high level of spoken English. I was invited not because I was a teacher, but because he always talks about his daughter, and he was telling me about the party every step of the way. I said it sounds wonderful. So, he invited me. He said he would love it if I came. Then I could see the baby, and also I can get to see a piece of his culture.

The week after I printed out on foto paper some digital pictures I had taken. I think they liked that just as much, or even more then my gift.

I was not invited so I would give a present, getting invited was an act of love on his part. HIs wife loved my gift, She was quite touched I came, and the only words inEnglish she knows are most likey "Hello", "Thank you", and "How are you?"

I didn't want to give a gold ring, I am not korean. It was not expected of me. I hadn't a clue what to give, and people here on Daves answered me. One poster told me he got a cuddly toy. Some one else said English books.

GIve a nice present Go to the party and have fun. You do not have to spend 50,000 won. Spend 20 or 25. thats fine. Take some pictures.
Send them to your friends at home. PUt them in an album on a picture site and send it to him. Thats nice.

Have fun.If anything, it will be a korean experience.

[cazador83]

[jacl]

[tzechuk]

jacl... it is common for Korean people to invite the whole office to a large celebration function like that - even if you were ignored at other times.

It's just not a done deal to pick and choose who you'll invite and won't invite because of the *face* (pride) issue folks here has.

I think it is rather unfair to call it greed......

Just what I think.

[princess]

[princess]