My mother and sister are going over to Thailand in a week or so, and I thought i would take the opportunity to send some gifts to my BF, while they are there, they can pass them on.

So I bought some really cool silver devil head cuff links (the traditional western devil with horns and a pointy beard), he is somewhat superstitious, but not overly. I was wondering if he may just freak out about it? Knowing him, I think it would be cool, but i guess i want some reassurance that there isn't some cultural taboo I'm breaking!

Thanks girls!

Charlotte

Have you ever seen him wear a shirt with cuff links?

Most Thais don't even know what they are. So I would be wary about giving something like that.

Have you ever seen him wear a shirt with cuff links?

Most Thais don't even know what they are. So I would be wary about giving something like that.

I'm sure she is more than capable of explaining what they are and he will probably enjoy the novelty of having something that none of his friends have.

There are no cultural reasons you can't give him cufflinks.

Have you ever seen him wear a shirt with cuff links?

Most Thais don't even know what they are. So I would be wary about giving something like that.

Thats a great point, I was actually considering sending him a nice, thin cotton shirt with them. I'll ask him if he knows what cufflinks are. Theyre just soo cool! hehe

Is it possible that men just have cufflinks to have? I remember my grandfather had a fair few pairs, but never used them...Is that usual?

Thanx heaps!

Have you ever seen him wear a shirt with cuff links?

Most Thais don't even know what they are. So I would be wary about giving something like that.

I'm sure she is more than capable of explaining what they are and he will probably enjoy the novelty of having something that none of his friends have.

There are no cultural reasons you can't give him cufflinks.

Thais can be very creative so even though he may have no idea what they are maybe he can find some use for them. If you want to send him something along with them send him a tshirt or jeans if you know his size, Thai men love their LEVIS!!

I'm sure she is more than capable of explaining what they are and he will probably enjoy the novelty of having something that none of his friends have.

There are no cultural reasons you can't give him cufflinks.

Very true - however, as one who likes to wear cufflinks, I have never found anywhere selling shirts with French cuffs in Thailand, unless I have had them made bespoke.

skip the cufflinks .... really ... want something different? Try a pocket watch ... pre-install it in the watch pocket of a pair of levis 501'a .. Yes Thai men love them .. and they look good in them

<just my 2 cents worth ... and pocket watches are available in all price ranges >

a Bottle of Jonnie Walker green label shoud not be overlooked

I wouldn't have dreamed of cufflinks for my bf but then he had never worn a suit in his life. What kind of work does you bf do, does he were suits to work? If not then forget the cufflinks. A belt with an unusual buckle or something similar, like the pocket watch idea. And yes, my husband loved his original Levis brought all the way from London & looks ###### fine in them too

Gotta make sure he fits into them, my husband is very athletic and cannot fit into jeans (ex boxer, big thighs).

Anyway, she seems to have already bought these devil cufflinks so not sure if she would want to return them or not for something he might be able to use. If not, I wouldn't worry about the devil, unless he is a really superstitious guy.

Just my 2c also, Gold would be the answer.

I think that gold is very personal. My husband wouldn't be caught dead with any kind of jewelery on not even a watch & nearly all of his friends were only a watch & sometimes buddha on a chain.

I did already buy them, but i guess I''l just keep em myself(yes they are just that cool, hehe) and send over the yeah yeah yeahs cd i was gunna send as well, but just by itself..Maybe some scotch too...seems like the safest bet.

I couldnt bring myself to ever buy gold, esp not that really yellow (pure?) stuff that Thais seem to like...but then again, im pale so i dont ever even think about "gold" gold per se.....

He is a chef and definitely doesnt wear a suit to work...hehe

Thanx all for the advice!!

Char

Edited to say, i just put my avatar up, and im not that squished looking irl, honest, hehe

Edited June 12, 200620 yr by bettyblaspheme

Gotta make sure he fits into them, my husband is very athletic and cannot fit into jeans (ex boxer, big thighs).

Anyway, she seems to have already bought these devil cufflinks so not sure if she would want to return them or not for something he might be able to use. If not, I wouldn't worry about the devil, unless he is a really superstitious guy.

SBK ... Levis make EVERY size of jeans ....

am getting back in shape ... I amready have huge thighs and my 501'a fit like a cowboy's wranglers .... next is the 560's ... Loose fit ... will fit like standard jeans

Always cool to have a pair of Levi's on

Try sending him something personal, seeing as how he is a chef would he enjoy some really cool cooking utensils from one of those fancy cooking stores?

Gold isn't really appropriate anyway, I dont' think, it is for a man, not a woman and men who wear jewelry usually prefer to buy their own.

actually that is a GREAT idea ... the best Chef Knives out there are always carried to and from work by chef's .... (and are amazing!

Be very careful with giving knives. Many people here consider it extremely unlucky to give anything sharp.

(You get roung this by "selling" to him for a token sum, say 10 Baht!)

I really do not know anything about giving a knife as gift although I think p1p's judgement in this is correct as he has long experience working with Thais in the restaurant business... but anyhow, my two cents would be that just putting a sharp knife down on the table or a serving plate with the point or the sharp side facing in a Thai person's direction is considered a major breach of etiquette, and akin to signalling you wish them dead...

An update, although it was a while ago now! He got the devil cufflinks and he said he thinks that the "twin devils" are "very cool" hahah.

Thanx for all the advice though! I know now not to give him (or anyone by the sounds of it) knives!

Glad to hear he liked them. Gifts are tough with Thai people. Last year I bought my father-in-law a polo shirt and my mother-in-law a very nice antique Staffordshire teacup and saucer. (she collects china). She admired his polo shirt and said nothing about the cup! This year, they got dried fruit

I think u dont worry about present!

If he love you so much, whatever you give him, he will like it...

bumped to the top for bb