Appropriate gifts for Chinese friends?

Appropriate gifts for Chinese friends?
May 7, 2007 19:58
DBLHAPPINESS Points: Join Date: May 7, 2007 Status: offline	Hello, I've been impressed with the friendliness of this forum, so I'm hoping you might share your opinion with me. I'm traveling to China in a few weeks to visit former students of mine in Shanghai, Beijing, Dalian, and Shenzhen. The students are all CEOs or managers of Chinese software companies, and I was only a graduate student who taught them about American culture. However, we have kept in touch these last four years. Now, I am finally able to visit. My students have been amazingly helpful, making reservations for me for hotels and in-country flights and offering to be my guide when I am in their city. My question is: what kind of gift is appropriate to bring them? One of my students has a new baby, so I thought I would bring him a very popular baby book. Another student's daughter has corresponded with me, and she would like a t-shirt. Now, certainly I can never repay their kindness, but at least I'd like to try! What can I do other than bring a present and write a thank you note and then send pictures with another thank you note after I get home? I want to be as polite as I can be. Best, DblHappyness

May 7, 2007 19:58

DBLHAPPINESS
Points:
Join Date: May 7, 2007
Status: offline

Hello,

I've been impressed with the friendliness of this forum, so I'm hoping you might share your opinion with me.

I'm traveling to China in a few weeks to visit former students of mine in Shanghai, Beijing, Dalian, and Shenzhen. The students are all CEOs or managers of Chinese software companies, and I was only a graduate student who taught them about American culture. However, we have kept in touch these last four years.

Now, I am finally able to visit. My students have been amazingly helpful, making reservations for me for hotels and in-country flights and offering to be my guide when I am in their city.

My question is: what kind of gift is appropriate to bring them? One of my students has a new baby, so I thought I would bring him a very popular baby book. Another student's daughter has corresponded with me, and she would like a t-shirt.

Now, certainly I can never repay their kindness, but at least I'd like to try! What can I do other than bring a present and write a thank you note and then send pictures with another thank you note after I get home? I want to be as polite as I can be.

Best,
DblHappyness

May 7, 2007 21:08	#1
APAULT Points: Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Status: Offline	How about framed photograhs of you and your family?

May 7, 2007 21:15	#2
MELODYCHOW Points: Join Date: Mar 5, 2006 Status: Offline	I think the layette is better for the newly-borned baby.

May 7, 2007 23:27	#3
DBLHAPPINESS Points: Join Date: May 7, 2007 Status: Offline	Framed pictures--that's a good idea. I had thought of making photo books of my entire trip, because everyone I visit is a friend of theirs. Even if they don't get to see them, they'll get to see their pictures. I guess I misspoke--the "baby" is two, so he's not really a baby. I just think he is because I haven't met him yet. But maybe a baby shirt of the school I teach at? ~DblHappyness

May 8, 2007 01:09	#4
JIMMYB Points: Join Date: Feb 7, 2007 Status: Offline	something that is special in your country or can represent your country is a good choice.

Dec 14, 2009 12:38	#5
GUEST14218	when i went to china I brought san francisco T-shirts, Ghiredelli chololate in tins shaped like cable cars and had extra in case I met people that had gifts for me and I had not expected to meet them. Young people like branded items: Nike, Addidas or european luxury brands. You could go to a discount department store and find small things that have brands on them.

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