Hello! Today, I will introduce the culture of giving souvenirs in the workplace and business.
About Japan's Souvenir Culture
In Japan, there is a long-standing culture of giving souvenirs. When returning from trips or business trips, it's a common practice to bring something back for family, friends, and coworkers as a gesture of gratitude and to share memories of the journey.
Souvenir Culture at the Workplace
In Japanese workplaces, when returning from domestic or overseas business trips, it's common to bring back food, especially sweets, as souvenirs for colleagues. Particularly, female employees who like sweets often look forward to receiving these gifts. Some even request specific items once they know where a coworker is traveling to. Therefore, when choosing souvenirs, it's important to consider the quantity in a box to ensure enough for everyone. However, practices vary depending on the company, and some people prefer not to buy souvenirs at all. It's not a strict obligation to buy souvenirs. Some support the souvenir culture, while others oppose it.
People in Favor and Against the Souvenir Culture
In favor:
- Communication: Souvenirs can serve as a conversation starter with colleagues.
- Appreciation: It shows gratitude for the support received while on a business trip.
- Atmosphere: It improves the workplace ambiance.
Against:
- Cost: Souvenirs can be a financial burden.
- Pressure: There's pressure in choosing the right one.
- Bulky and Obtrusive: The baggage can increase if the souvenir doesn't fit in the bag.
- Unnecessary: Souvenirs are not related to job performance.
There are both pros and cons regarding buying souvenirs. However, I believe that if one feels like giving a souvenir, it's a wonderful thing to do.
Souvenirs in Business
In business settings, it's common to bring high-end confections as souvenirs when visiting important clients. Especially for clients who are located far away and hard to visit often, it's typical to select sweets famous in the region where one's company is located. This is done to convey the uniqueness and charm of one's region and also to express gratitude. By the way, whenever I travel on business to foreign partners, I always bring Japanese sweets as souvenirs. Carrying them increases my luggage, but I feel happy when they are appreciated.
If you have the chance to visit a Japanese business partner, bringing souvenirs might make the grateful Japanese appreciate you more, and your business dealings might go smoothly.
Advice on Souvenirs in Business
It's not uncommon to see businesspeople coming from abroad to Japan presenting company-branded pens or notebooks as gifts. While some might appreciate such items, I believe it's better to give something you've personally bought, like sweets. Corporate promotional items might seem like they were given to everyone, but presenting something you've personally chosen conveys the message, "I chose this specifically for you." Give it a try!
