Busan Travel Forum

The giving of gifts is almost expected. What kind of gifts should one give?

The giving of gifts depends on the occasion and how well you know the person. Koreans don't give them just because. So what is the occasion?

I don't know about Korea, but Chinese people like to give fruit. I always think fruit is a universal gift. Who doesn't like a box of Asian pears?

I was often given decorative wooden ducks as they are a sign of friendship, and did so myself.

Older people give younger people money when those leave for a trip.

But the Koreans also appreciated gifts I brought from my homecountry, like special chocolate figures, or books about the place I came from - just something special with a background and/or (hi-)story.

Ducks if like in Japan... one explanation is that a pair of ducks represents the relationship. Put them on the shelf and face each other and all is well. Face them away from each other and there is a fight. To give a pair of ducks to anyone who is not married could be an awkward situation.

Small gifts that have some connection to your homeland would be perfect. But as said before, gifts are not always given depending on how well you know them.