He's a scientist, and every scientist I know loves to drink, so I'm thinking we're on the right track!
Being from Texas, we've got a lot of tequila - is that too weird?
From my personal booze experience here in Tokyo, Tequila is not really popular among us even if we sometimes do tequila shots and make ourselves look stupid
Whiskey is a better bet in my personal opinion. Although my best friend, Jack Daniels, is widely available here, the bourbon whiskey, "Knob Creek" is not, and I think it's a great whiskey. Besides, Japanese people who drink tend to like Whiskey especially middle aged Japanese guys My two cents. Happy travel to Japan.
I'm going to guess middle-aged male recipients. In addition to the excellent suggestions offered:
1. A nice leather belt from Texas. Something appropriate for the office would work well. This assumes it's adjustable or that you know the recipient's size.
2. A "coffee table book" about Texas. Think pictures, not words.
3. Whiskey from Texas (e.g. McKendric).
4. Beer from Texas (e.g. Shiner Bock).
5. A CD of Texas-themed music.
6. Baseball-related products from a Texas team (such as an official shirt). For example, if you can find a #40 Akinori Otsuka Texas Rangers jersey, that'd be special.
Jumping on this thread rather than start a new one.
I need advise on gifts - both what to take and when to present them - for an upcoming trip.
Broad details are that I'm being sponsored by a business partner to give a presentation in Tokyo. I have two main contacts with the company, who've been making arrangements for me. In addition, they've arranged for someone with connections to my institution to introduce me at the presentation, and there will be a translator there. Finally, I will be making a couple site visits with them to talk with customers - I believe there will be a couple people we'll be meeting at each place.
The broad plan is:
Day 1 - site visits to the 2 customers
Evening 1 - dinner with my two hosts and the introducer.
Day 2 - Lunch with hosts and translator - I assume this will primarily be a "working meeting" to go over my slides with the translator.
Day 2 - Presentation in afternoon.
In terms of gifts - I'm planning to bring a small book that associates my institition with Japan along with a small box of local Chocolates for my hosts and the introducer. They will be appropriately wrapped. Should I give them at dinner on the first evening, or at the presentation the next day?
I'll also bring just the small book to give to the people at the site visits. Should I bring one for each person or one per institution? Is this expected at all? Is the book too much, and should I just bring a token instead?
I'm not planning anything for the translator - as he is contracted by my sponsor. Ditto for the firm's Travel Agent who I've had some contact with but doubt I will even see.
Probably overthinking this, but just want to do the right thing!
Probably overthinking this, but just want to do the right thing!
Well ... There may be as many ways to do this as there are ways to do this, but I think you're thinking the way I'd be thinking if I were donig the thinking. Here's what I'm thinking:
local chocolates = good
book that ties your institution to Japan = good
These are two very good and appropriate gifts.
I'd give the gift to your hosts at dinner. Don't expect them to unwrap it there and then. Just hand it over, wrapped, in a nice bag etc. and say it's nothing special. Done. (Oh boy, you've started something now. You'll probably get a gift in return the next day ... )
For the site visits, I'd suggest one book per site. I don't know what kind of book it is, but I assume that it's something appropriate for you to just give to the top guy in each meeting.
Translator -- You don't have to give anything, of course. But good interpreters are a rare breed. If you're happy with the quality of the work, you'd be well advised to stay in touch and use the same person next time you do this.
This is what Japanese love:
1) BEEF JERKY!!!
2) Any American food you can bring over there they don't have here, like Trader Joe's stuff is ALWAYS great for gifts.
3) American wine
They are happy with almost anything!!
They can get any whiskey they want over here in Japan and most likely it is better here.
American wine is also a nice thing to get them.
This is what Japanese love:
They are happy with almost anything!!
Of course they are "happy" with anything in front of you.
This is the Japanese custom of showing face.
Milepig needs a gift that shows good taste, represent the insitution in a positive light and give insight into the thoughts of the company.
I like jib71's emphasis on showing the relationship between gift and customer, especially a custom item shows that jib71 has put thought into the gift. This hits home better than "beef jerky or hootch"
You can purchase any type of alcohol these days in Japan if you are wiling to pay for it. So a GOOD bottle of BRAND name scotch or wine is appreciated but it gets quite expensive at times.
This custom thing gets confusing for me but the Japanese are getting very sophisticated and cheap stuff doesn't cut it anymore IMHO.
You can purchase any type of alcohol these days in Japan if you are wiling to pay for it. So a GOOD bottle of BRAND name scotch or wine is appreciated but it gets quite expensive at times.
This custom thing gets confusing for me but the Japanese are getting very sophisticated and cheap stuff doesn't cut it anymore IMHO.
Why are folks still under the impression that booze is "expensive" in Japan?
...... (Oh boy, you've started something now. You'll probably get a gift in return the next day ... )
A very big chuckle about this statement. I gave most of the gifts yesterday, and they very well received, at least on the surface. I went back to my hotel thinking "now my luggage is several pounds lighter". Well, today the deluge of return gifts began. So it goes.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milepig
A very big chuckle about this statement. I gave most of the gifts yesterday, and they very well received, at least on the surface. I went back to my hotel thinking "now my luggage is several pounds lighter". Well, today the deluge of return gifts began. So it goes.
So what gifts did you get? Curious to know what yr Japanese colleagues thought would be appropo for gift giving on their end...
My two cents. Happy travel to Japan.
