Gifts for teachers: A no-no?
Teachers told to say no to gifts http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2010-09/10/content_11282771.htm
I can see how "gifting" could border bribery ...
that having been said, we've been getting small knick-knacks for our daughter's teachers when we come back from holidays overseas (we don't spend more than $5 (~RMB 35) on any gift ... mostly touristy things like fridge magnets or little keepsakes).
My daughter and I also made little thank you cards for them for today's teachers' day.
Is this bad?
What do you do for your kids' teachers?
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Re: Gifts for teachers: A no-no?
I used to give my teachers small knick-knacks at the end of the year. Sometimes, it was just something small and cute, but personalized with their name, like "Mrs. Acceta." I think small gifts are totally acceptable. As long as the gift is not over-the-top expensive. Also, gift certificates for a small amount are nice - but not sure they really do that custom in China.
Kara Chin, Managing Editor
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Re: Gifts for teachers: A no-no?
I had a good laugh one year when my daughter took a gift to her teacher for teacher's day. I was surprised when the gift came right back home that afternoon. I didn't know there was a strict no Teacher's Day gift policy. A few days later I saw my daughter putting the gift in her book bag. She said, "My teacher said that they can't have gifts for Teacher's Day, but if I just give it to her on for an ordinary day then that is ok." It wasn't anything over the top, just a set of books from our company. I thought it was cute and funny.
On a side note, my mom has been a teacher/ administrator for more than 30 years, I know that most of those well-meaning coffee cups and knick knacks ended up at the charity shop. However, she has volumes of scrap books with every letter/card and note.
I imagine most teachers are similar and appreciate the words more than the gift.
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Re: Gifts for teachers: A no-no?
haha, cute. and oddly logic, in a Chinese characteristic mentality kind-of-way.
Kara Chin, Managing Editor
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