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  1. #1
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
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    Gift giving at New Year's: what is appropriate?

    As a relative newcomer to Thailand, I am wondering what the deal is with gifts at New Year's. What is appropriate as a gift to some of the service people (security guards, concierge, etc) that I see every day? And what is the right sort of small gift for males and females?

    Or can I simply succumb to my inner cheapness and not get them anything?

  2. #2
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ultramarine
    Or can I simply succumb to my inner cheapness and not get them anything?
    Yes but a card with one of those packaged gift basket hamper thingy's would be nice for those closest to you.

  3. #3
    ding ding ding
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    Quote Originally Posted by ultramarine
    What is appropriate as a gift to some of the service people (security guards, concierge, etc)
    At this time of year it can be chilly so maybe get them a sleeping bag so they can keep warm whilst doing their "job".

  4. #4
    Fuck it
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton
    gift basket hamper thingy's
    Yep, Norton has it right. For service guys a bottle of whisky normally goes down well too.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
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    A few ya-baa tabs for the insecurity guards, a kick in the head for any monks you may see and a hit & run on any thieves in brown that litter the roads.

  6. #6
    Lord of Swine
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    We buy both shifts a bang up meal from the local restaurant. No booze.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by ultramarine View Post
    As a relative newcomer to Thailand, I am wondering what the deal is with gifts at New Year's. What is appropriate as a gift to some of the service people (security guards, concierge, etc) that I see every day? And what is the right sort of small gift for males and females?

    Or can I simply succumb to my inner cheapness and not get them anything?
    Succome to your inner cheapness. The "good guys and girls" you're talking about will lie, cheat, and steal from you as fast as anyone else.

  8. #8
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    Cash works quite adequately...

    Lots of it.

  9. #9
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    fondle the security guards truncheon and blow his whistle and he will be your friend for life - so butters tells me

  10. #10
    Lord of Swine
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    Quote Originally Posted by baldrick View Post
    fondle the security guards truncheon and blow his whistle and he will be your friend for life - so butters tells me

    Those who would give up a little dignity for the sake of a little security deserve neither and will have sore bums...

    Ben Franklin.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Necron99 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by baldrick View Post
    fondle the security guards truncheon and blow his whistle and he will be your friend for life - so butters tells me

    Those who would give up a little dignity for the sake of a little security deserve neither and will have sore bums...

    Ben Franklin.
    As he would know.
    Old Ben was a secretive flamer himself.

  12. #12
    I am not a cat
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    Quote Originally Posted by ultramarine View Post
    As a relative newcomer to Thailand, I am wondering what the deal is with gifts at New Year's. What is appropriate as a gift to some of the service people (security guards, concierge, etc) that I see every day? And what is the right sort of small gift for males and females?

    Or can I simply succumb to my inner cheapness and not get them anything?
    For service people, small boxes of cakes etc are seen as very acceptable and would do for either males or females.

    For someone who gave more attentive service during the year, maybe an envelope with 200 -500 or at most 1,000 baht (but that would have to be for someone who gives over and above - not as an average figure).

    For colleagues that you are in contact with, but not too close - again a small box (I am talking 2 or four pieces) of small cakes or a (nice) pack of candy.

    For more important people (to you) then a basket - which can have in it -well pretty much anything - candy, fruit, for example I got a great basket this year filled with different types of coffee and accessories, another filled with different types of nuts and candy.

    As noted, for older (male) service people (guards etc) a bottle of something (cheap!) is generally appreciated - not top shelf stuff - just a bottle of the local stuff.

    Think the point is, even if it is very small - it will be appreciated.

    Including work, I probably gave out about 50 small "gifts" mostly overseen and organized by my secretary - who got a very much larger cash gift.

  13. #13
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    we just give a bottle of Scotch to the security guard over the road

    he works for someone else but keeps his eye out for us!

  14. #14
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    Very thoughtful wit.
    What about some souvenirs from your country.

  15. #15
    Newbie ultramarine's Avatar
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    Thanks for the range of opinions. The number of potential recipients is pretty small actually and probably just limited to the people who work at my condo. I've only lived here for a couple of months so they haven't really provided any service directly to me. I chat regularly with a security guard and he's a good guy. I guess a bottle of something local might cover it. Trouble is I would not want to then be invited into a drinking session with the guy. It might be easier to avoid any potential awkwardness by simply not giving him anything.

    I agree nidhogg about the small packages of cakes and kanoms. I bought a couple of things for around 150 bt for a couple of shop girls I have befriended and they were quite appreciative. As you say, it may be more the thought than anything else.

    But I get the sense that a lot of farangs don't buy New Year's gifts, at least for service people where they live. Especially if they are only renters.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by ultramarine View Post
    As a relative newcomer to Thailand, I am wondering what the deal is with gifts at New Year's. What is appropriate as a gift to some of the service people (security guards, concierge, etc) that I see every day? And what is the right sort of small gift for males and females?

    Or can I simply succumb to my inner cheapness and not get them anything?
    No gift giving and no tipping in Thailand you newbie wanker twat

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg
    a small box (I am talking 2 or four pieces) of small cakes
    Giving someone the tasteless cack that passes for cake here would surely be an insult?

  18. #18
    I am not a cat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg
    a small box (I am talking 2 or four pieces) of small cakes
    Giving someone the tasteless cack that passes for cake here would surely be an insult?
    In the Thailand you apparently live in, maybe.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lorenzo View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by ultramarine View Post
    As a relative newcomer to Thailand, I am wondering what the deal is with gifts at New Year's. What is appropriate as a gift to some of the service people (security guards, concierge, etc) that I see every day? And what is the right sort of small gift for males and females?

    Or can I simply succumb to my inner cheapness and not get them anything?
    No gift giving and no tipping in Thailand you newbie wanker twat
    Heh...I give the trash collector boys all my cardboard & glass bottles. Cannot be arsed to haul that crap to the recycle center and they are very appreciative.

  20. #20
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg
    For service people, small boxes of cakes etc are seen as very acceptable and would do for either males or females.
    for Judges it is customary to put large amounts of cash in the cakebox.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg
    a small box (I am talking 2 or four pieces) of small cakes
    Giving someone the tasteless cack that passes for cake here would surely be an insult?
    In the Thailand you apparently live in, maybe.
    Does your Thailand have edible cake then?

  22. #22
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    I found some cake you could eat in my Thailand

    but the silly bastards went and sprayed it with canned "whipped cream"

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat Boon Mee's Avatar
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    Dunkin Donuts at Big C are pretty good...

  24. #24
    I am not a cat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by nidhogg
    a small box (I am talking 2 or four pieces) of small cakes
    Giving someone the tasteless cack that passes for cake here would surely be an insult?
    In the Thailand you apparently live in, maybe.
    Does your Thailand have edible cake then?
    Largely missing the point as always Marmite.

  25. #25
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    my wife wants to buy a NY gift for her mother, something she'd like.

    I suggested a bag of rice, gift wrapped.

    I'm now off the gift buying committee.

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