Gift for Japanese Concierge?

[burrco]

(A) I'm Australian - so unless in the land of the free I rarely tip.
(B) I'm in Japan where you don't tip

However, currently I feel that the concierge at my hotel has really gone above and beyond in helping me obtain a Visa for China - somewhat of a fuss has been made that they regrettably have to charge me a handling fee for this service - a fee that is laughably small.

As a sign of my appreciation I would like to buy her a small gift (maybe 2000 yen or so) perhaps something like chocolates or sweets which can be shared with her team.

What are people's thoughts on this? Is it appropriate or will I fall into some kind of Japanese gift giving vortex? What have people done in similar circumstances.

 

[tuppaware]

(A) I'm Australian - so unless in the land of the free I rarely tip.
(B) I'm in Japan where you don't tip

As a sign of my appreciation I would like to buy her a small gift (maybe 2000 yen or so) perhaps something like chocolates or sweets which can be shared with her team.

What are people's thoughts on this? Is it appropriate or will I fall into some kind of Japanese gift giving vortex? What have people done in similar circumstances.

Its a shame that you done have an Australian toy of some kind, like a plush kangaroo or similar.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Act as you see fit.

Small gift is appropriate. Tuppaware is on the right track. Those little pins and toys go down better than we could imagine.

A mate of mine looked after delegations from overseas governments and always had a bag of kangaroos and the like. Always worked.

 

[pshepvic]

I always take a bag of the little clip-on koalas with me to Japan - they absolutely love them. I always give them to the helpful concierge and reception staff, but last time also gave one to the housekeeping staff who cleaned my room who just happened to be there when I got back. I don't think I've ever seen someone that excited!

I have tipped there as well, but in exceptional circumstances - we stayed at the New Otani which is a massive hotel and a booking mix up meant we had to change rooms. The Porter stayed with us the whole time until sorted and took an enormous ampunt of luggage around whilst moving back and forth between the two towers, so we tipped him and he was most appreciative. I don't think tipping is rude, it's just not normally done.

I'd probably still suggest a gift of some sort. Head to one of the department store basements and you should easily be able to find something for 2000Y that they can share. Maybe some mochi sweets or something like that.

 

[wingspan]

Whenever culturally-Japanese people travel, they bring back omiyage (souvenirs, usually of a food particular to the area to where they have travelled) for family and colleagues. Thus it is very appropriate that you gift your concierge with a small something. Is she someone you will see when returning from China? If so then a box of nice Chinese tea is appropriate.

If not, then a box of food goodies - available at most train stations / shopping centres etc - would be appropriate too. I guess if you're Australian then a jar of vegemite would be fantastic.

 

[Hvr]

I guess if you're Australian then a jar of vegemite would be fantastic.

I think he wants to thank her not set back cultural relations 100 years.

When I was in Japan last month I had a couple of single serve Vegemite sachets and gave them to selected Japanese people. Invariably they didn't like it but were glad they had at least tried it, once!

 

[drmikki]

As the others have said, Japanese LOVE gift-giving, so it would be entirely appropriate. The department store and major stations have wide sections devoted to beautifully presented, beautifully wrapped gifts. In the department stores its usually on the basement level. Sometimes you can find TimTams in the department store supermarket section (either basement or B2 depending on the size of the store) but thats a tad hit-and-miss. Australian wine can also be found at some stores, and any kind of whisky seemed to be a popular gift!

Vegemite is generally received with a laugh - I saved mine for the people who made me eat the Japanese equivalent, natto - fermented soy bean and absolutely disgusting!

The other thing that can be given is boxed fresh fruit. Seems weird, yes, but a large apple without blemishes in a box can be between 6-10AUD! It doesn't matter how much you spend though, the sentiment will be greatly appreciated, I'm sure.

 

[pshepvic]

The other thing that can be given is boxed fresh fruit. Seems weird, yes, but a large apple without blemishes in a box can be between 6-10AUD! It doesn't matter how much you spend though, the sentiment will be greatly appreciated, I'm sure.

And that's on the cheaper side of fresh fruit - we saw perfectly round rockmelons for 8000Y and a nicely wrapped box of 4 massive strawberries for ... wait for it ... 50,000Y (that's about $600 AUD!). Yes they were absolutely perfect (didn't even look real) but ... holy cr@p!

 

[drmikki]

I always wanted to get one of those square watermelons. Til I found out they were 150-300 AUD... And the prices the trays of apples when the season starts are :shock::shock:! Especially those ones near Fuji (I think) where they manage to get patterns or pictures on the side of the apple.

 

[burrco]

Thanks, everyone. I'll grab a nice box of chocolates or similar from one of the local upmarket stores. Sadly the only "Australiania" I have with me is a WP NGCI bag tag - I'd bring shame to all involved to give this as a gift!

 

[blu]

Slightly related - saw a Tips Jar on a counter in Kutchan two weeks ago.