Korean Job Discussion Forums

jay-shi · Joined: 09 May 2004 Location: On tour

A good friend (Korean) is venturing out and opening his own hagwon. I know that when people open businesses here it is customary to give them cleaning products. My questions are, how much is acceptable and are there any gift "sets" that would do the trick? This is a good friend and budget isn't much of an issue. I just have no idea of what would be acceptable or unnacceptable as far as amout spent or even gifts offered... bleach, jumbo rolls, hand soap? Anyone out there willing to share similar experience would be greatly appreciated.

kermo · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:21 am Post subject:

Give him a punch in the face, please, on behalf of us frustrated hagwon-monkeys (one more day, then I'm free from their ranks.)

Then try something long-lasting, like an orchid or a Norfolk island pine. That's just a guess, but I think it would be nice, and they're both long-lasting which is an important symbolic virtue.

jay-shi · Joined: 09 May 2004 Location: On tour

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:11 am Post subject:

Give him two candles.

(a hope and a prayer)

canuckistan · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:09 pm Post subject:

How about those ubiquitous huge flower displays in front of new stores etc that look like the local Mafia guy died?

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

The best gift you can give him: dancing girls. Dancing girls on opening day. They are the gift that keeps on giving.

helly · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Location: WORLDWIDE

Pig heads

Faron · Joined: 13 Jan 2006

a pony

bignate · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Location: Hell's Ditch

A cattle-prod...

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

as for the pig head idea, if he's having a Grand Opening, he might very well have a pig's head altar, in which case you could bow to the pig's head and then put money in it's mouth. 30k, 50k, 100k is common.

also, some kind of dried fish they hang in the corner for warding of evil spirits, but I'd go with the money, or the standing flower arrangement.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:00 pm Post subject:

I gave a potted plant to a korean friend to put in his business when he opened, a nice big beautiful pot too, paid 80,000 won.

It was quite appreciated and still looks good nearly two years later!

(though the plant is healthier than the biz)

Gladiator · Joined: 23 May 2003 Location: Seoul

How about hiring a Mudang to perform a Gut ceremony for him?

Faron · Joined: 13 Jan 2006

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

a get out of jail free card Wink

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Give your friend a book "How to Successfully Screw Teachers".