Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kat2]

I work at a large pubic elementary school. Who should I give Seollal gifts to and what should I give?

Principal-- male, 60s. Obviosly I should give him something. But what? Booze, socks, toothpaste? Whats appropriate to spend? I don't want to outspend anyone else, but I don't want to spend less either.

Senior VP -- female, 50s. She's like my grandmother and is always bringing me fruit from her garden and special snacks. I really want to get her something nice without outshining the Prinicpal or other VP. Any suggestions?

Junior VP-Male, 50s- Same questiosn as the principal

Head Teacher (gyo-mu) -- 50s, Male. Should I get him something or is he my equal since he's a teacher?

Thanks for all your help. This is the first workplace where I've ever considered doing anything nice for my administation, so I have no real experience in what's appropriate.

[hubba bubba]

Spam set-uh....

Duh!!!

[kat2]

Really? No suggestions.

[hubba bubba]

I'm not buying anyone sheyat. Should I?

I was told during Christmas that coworkers don't usually exchange gifts.

[pest2]

[rothkowitz]

Drop a cake off in the staff and admin rooms.

[swetepete]

Wow...that's cool that you have a job where you actually want to give people something other than nine grams of lead to the back of the melon.
And, speaking of melons...
I'd get them each a box of some good mushrooms. Or some big fat Jeju-do oranges, or some Chinese pears, or some melons or something. Those were the best Sollal or Chuseok gifts I ever got; I got sets of Spork or Prem or Spam or something, twice, and once a hand lotion set that smelled like ajuma. I was really wishing they'd've just bought me a pack of smokes or a packet of Mon Ami pens or something I could actually use..yeah, it's the thought that counts, I know. But.

Produce is good, because it's not gender specific, and fairly cheap. You could get something for all four people for like 15 or twenty bucks a head.

Don't forget the janitor, though! A bottle of baeksaeju and he's your friend for life!

Ditto your office-tel ajashis! Those poor old crusty basturds are working for like 3 bucks an hour.

[kat2]

My school has been great to me. They definitly deserve something, especially my female VP. She's like my grandma, always givin me candy, fruit, yogurt, and extra days off. And she's leaving to go to another school in March.

[Boodleheimer]

i gave people Christmas gifts. that's enough for them.

[kat2]

I'm going to Emart tonight and I've got my elbows ready

Any last pieces of advice? Kwhitehead, what did you buy everyone?

[kimchi story]

I got my principal a Chivas Regal gift set (I know he likes the sauce-40 grand), my vp a Starbucks Bodum/coffee gift set (when she saw I made my own at home she asked me to bring some for her - I did, sometimes-30 grand.) My junior vp a bottle of cab/shiraz and a pack of virginia slims (the cigs are part of an on going joke - 20 grand). I didn't get anyone Christmas presents. So 80 grand strategically spent, I figure.

[EMKAYES]

The question should be; should the school get you a gift?

Im my last hogwan, all the teachers received w50,000 for Solnal.

In my PS I got nothing.

Do the K teachers get anything from their schools?

Did you get anything?

[OiGirl]

At a previous school, I got soap for Chusok and socks for Solnal. Still have some of both left, and this is more than a decade ago...

At another previous school, got cash bonuses. Sweet...

[ChopChaeJoe]

[hubba bubba]

Yeah, I wanted to get my handlers, the Principal and VP something, but I was told it would cause a problem because I didn't get something for the office girls, the guy that teaches the tards, the cleaning adjummas, etc.


Dang "saving face" culture.....