Korean Job Discussion Forums

[munybse]

I have read in many places that bringing a bottle of booze for the director is good and maybe some chocolates for the other teachers. I think this is what I have decided to do. I leave for SK this weekend, but have never flown internationally. I know I can buy the booze at duty free but what about some chocolates? Should I get these before hand or might they have some good ones there? I will be leaving out of Atlanta if it makes any difference.

Thanks

[Hova]

[munybse]

I guess my main concern was if they would even have good chocolates there or should I get them prior to going to the airport.

Thanks for your help.

[Xuanzang]

Airport chocolate is never that great and sometimes pricey. They might not have your favourites there either.

[Hova]

[Xuanzang]

Korea has it and its even more overpriced than back home.

[Hova]

[darkjedidave]

Just make sure you DO NOT have a connecting flight through Japan. I made the mistake and bought booze in the LAX duty free after all the securities checks, but in Japan, they will security check you again anyways (for no reason, as the check is immediately after you exit the plane), and take any liquids. Really pissed me off.

[munybse]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Keep them for yourself, you'll get far more out of it. (It's a job, not a cultural exchange, don't expect any reciprocation)

[dairyairy]

[Yaya]

Yeah, no need to give gifts to your director and staff. It's just a job and most likely, your school will just view you as another expat teacher, NOTHING more. Trust me on this.

[nero]

My principal got really embarrassed by the bottle of wine I brought him when I came to Korea all those years ago. He seemed to think it was some kind of bribery. He shared it with all the teachers at my welcome dinner and we all had a thimble full.
The chocolates I bought just sat on the teachers table looking sad. Wait till you get here and get the lay of the land. As someone said it is a job, you're not an exchange student.

Would you buy your boss a bottle of booze in Atlanta if you started a new job there? It's really no different here, no matter what those 'you must understand traditional Korean culture' types say.

If you are a hagwon then f!@ buying your director anything!!

[Ruthdes]

It's probably too late for the OP, but I've never seen an opportunity to buy duty free when I get off the plane at Incheon. You have to do your duty free buying at your last stopover. Have I just missed it? I'm usually not thinking about it when I get off the plane, but the way you're herded certainly has no opportunity. It's the same at JFK in New York. In Melbourne, which is my home city, you have to walk right through the middle of a duty free shop to get to immigration.

[Ruthdes]

Ha! Just a little too late. I just realised that this was a revived from 2009 thread. WTF?