Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bellebruin]

Hi All,

Does any one of any ideas or suggestions to get for coteachers, the principle, and vice principle in South Korea.

I want to bring something that is easy to bring but practical and gender neutral and a representation of American or California culture. Are key chains too basic? How about candy? What type?

Any HELP would be greatly appreciated!

Bellebruin

[Hotpants]

Dear Bellebruin,

Call me cynical, but I wouldn't go to the trouble of thoughtfully selecting something back home and filling up half your luggage with it. Anything unfamiliar to the Korean palette will likely just end up in the trash can. (Experience).

Koreans will just generally enjoy a nice box of chocolates, fruit, seaweed, kimchi, or a cake bought from a store over here (or at the airport, even). That will be enough of a token - although I bet most teachers don't ever bother with an arrival gift?

[Hotpants]

... And as for key chains, if it doesn't have a designer brand name stamped on it, then it could head for the trash, too ...

[jrwhite82]

I think presenting a gift is a nice gesture. However, your bag space is quite valuable.

If you want to do something that will go over well, be easy for you, and not affect your luggage situation. Buy coffee, fruit or pastries and share them with everyone once you arrive.

[interestedinhanguk]

If you've already worked at the school, and are just home for a visit, then bring back a gift.

However, by the sounds of it, this is your first time coming here. Don't bring anything. All you need is a polite greeting and a bow to your new principal/vice-principal/co-teacher.

[Troglodyte]

Gift giving here is different from back home. Here the ideal gift is money. Hence it's the most common gift. How much money you give (or in some cases, how expensive the gift was) determines it's value and is a sign of how much you appreciate (or want to suck up to) the person you're giving it to. Sometimes a specific value gift is expected but the gift need not have any significance itself. You'll notice that all the supermarket and department stores have pre-packaged gift sets near the holidays. Saves people the trouble of finding a gift of the right value (which the recipient will know the value of). So you'll often see weird gift sets of Spam or bulk toothpaste. What you give is of not importance at all. The value is what is important. The symbolic value of a gift doesn't exist here. If you go to the trouble of finding a gift that is symbolic of your hometown, or that was handmade in a local style, then unless it's got a recognizable name brand stamped on it, then it's just a cheap gift. You may even be considered cheap because of it. Granted, if you DO want to give a localized gift, then a decorative key chain or coffee mug (Koreans prefer plastic travel mugs) would probably be your best bet. Koreans seem to like showing off their coffee mugs and they all like decorative key chains or other junk that they can hang from their cellphones.

I agree with the previous posters though. If you want to give a gift, then get a basket of fruit or a cake during your first couple days and give it to your work mates during break time. It's what Koreans do. Break from the norm and you may be disappointed or even annoyed by the results you get.

[winterfall]

None of the posters mentioned you've gotta be careful with gift giving. If you give it to them once they're gonna expect to get one on every major holiday / beginning and end of every semester. If you don't live up to it, working with them 'll be a pain

[wylies99]

Wait until you see how the school treats you and who is friendly and who isn't nice. Then you'll get a better idea who should receive gifts and what you should give, if you should give at all.

[Big Mac]

PRINCIPAL. Sorry, it's a pet peeve.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I go out of my way to get things that aren't available here, or are a pain to get. When my principal started last year, I got him a welcome to the school gift of a large pecan pie from Tartine in Itaewon. He'd never had it, but, as walnut pies are common here, I figured it was a relatively safe bet. I told him that this was a traditional pie in my country, and that all of the ingredients were imported and very high quality.

I also brought in some mini pies and tarts for my VP and head coteacher from the same place.

Was it required? Nah. Did it make a good first impression? You bet it did.

As for home leave, I always bring back I heart NY trinkets (mugs, chopsticks, pens) and assorted candies that aren't available here.

If it's your first year, bring something from your hometown. It doesn't have to be anything big, but something that's unique-ish to your home. Even if it's scrapped, it's the thought that counts.

Also, bring in random, crappy toys for the kids. When I last went home, those silly bandz bracelets were the rage back home, so I brought a few packs back (they took up nearly no space in my luggage) and gave individual ones out to kids as prizes.

[jrwhite82]

[southernman]

Its all hit and miss, depending on the size of your school you may not even speak to your Principal for months.

At my current school I bought silk scarves for my co-teachers from Vietnam, they went down a treat. I also bought an expensive bottle of Cognac for the Principal.

After 2 months of not seeing him I took it home and drank it with some friends. It was damn fine.....

My advice would be buy something cheap that takes up little room and make sure you can use it yourself if you don't get the opportunity to give your gift

[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/

[southernman]

Bad luck!!

Theres a first time for everything, I've never heard of any Korean to refuse a gift.

I actually started the rumour at my school that my Principal bribed his way to have the job he has, then again, he seems like the polar opposite from your boss.