David48 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 The Thai Art of 'Re-Gifting' This used to drive me nuts. You take the extra effort buy buy an appropriate or special gift for a Thai Person. It's received, smiles are exchanged and a few days later, out of sight, the gift is opened. Sometimes, you never see that gift again. Sometimes you see that another Family member uses it as their own. Even better it's been 're-gifted' to them. Classic cases of all three. Bought a nice shirt for the gf's old man. Polo shirt, with a pocket, and Australia words on the pocket. Never saw him wore it once. Quizzed the gf. She claims to know nothing. Six months later ... never saw it being worn. Finally, the gf hints at what might have happened. He has maybe 're-gifted' to a friend ... Not because he didn't like it, but he wanted good face by giving a 'foreign' gift. Gave the same guy an electric razor. Never used it. Now, my fault there ... I reckon he'd shave maybe once a month ... not very hirsute. He then (effectively) gives it to his daughter ... who gives it to her bf. A man that I don't particularly like. Yeh, Yeh, I know ... 'David, you've given the gift ... it's not yours any more. The joy is in the giving'. Well, I reckon the joy is also in the recipient using your gift. Mate of mine gave his gf and nice purse, maybe $50-$60 bucks worth. She tots off to Thailand and gives it to her sister. Why? Well, her sister worked so that my mates gf could go to University ... it was pay-back time. I like giving surprises ... but, more often then not now, I ask what I should buy for the person ... and then pray it's not re-gifted ... BTW ... if anyone here is a smaller size member I have an 'official copy' Liverpool shirt which my gf's friends gave me for Christmas last year ... happy to re-gift it ... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CharlieH Posted November 18, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2014 this one is easy, many cant afford to buy nice things for others, they just dont have the spare cash, so when they get something given, they then have the opportunity to give, which makes them feel good, as it did you when you gave it. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldragon Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Ah, no biggie. The odds of hitting the mark on a gift are low, especially clothing. I re-gift all the time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Costas2008 Posted November 18, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) Same problem with me David. All the money I give to my wife she gives it to others, Tesco, Big C, Electricity, water, cloth shops etc. etc. Never keeps it for herself. I'm seriously thinking if I should stop giving her any gifts anymore. Just worried if I stop giving, she will kick me out of the house. PS. As about the Liverpool shirt you can use it as a dust cloth........if it was a Chelsea one I would consider. Edited November 18, 2014 by Costas2008 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannot Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Save time give no gifts, or give that gift to a worthwhile cause, Medicine san Frontiers got my money to fight Ebola in Africa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconJohn Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 My family did it all the time. We weren't exactly poor as I was growing up, but we didn't have a lot of excess cash. So we did it. Don't lose your objectivity. There are a lot of differences here, but under the skin we're all alike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somsrisonphimai Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 News flash...if you don't see them use your gifts, the chances are they don't love your gifts. They either give the gifts away or put the gifts away. Next time, give them cash and see what will happen. With cash, it would save you time and energy try to find the perfect gifts; it would also give them chance to find their favor things they want/need. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdanielmcev Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Not really a Thai phenomena. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arminbkk Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 News flash...if you don't see them use your gifts, the chances are they don't love your gifts. They either give the gifts away or put the gifts away. Next time, give them cash and see what will happen. With cash, it would save you time and energy try to find the perfect gifts; it would also give them chance to find their favor things they want/need. Pretty obvious isn't it, if someone really likes your gift he/she will keep it and use it.......or...if there is another person they just happen to like more than you, they will give it to that person to make them happy and feel good about it. It's always nice if someone really likes your gift...........on the other hand, if they don't like it much, its better that you get a smile when you give it to them, instead of they throw it back at you and say "why did you buy me this cr@p for?" lol. In Thailand, I think, unless you can give something that is really hard for them to get, like something from abroad, it's best to just give some money so they can buy what they like. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy chef 1 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 as mentioned many times before by me: never ask WHY in Thailand....there a many miracles we never will get... btw the new motorbike i gave my wife two years ago for her BD was highly appreciated,same as the i-phone last year... may you should re-think about your gifts... gold is always a winner! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy chef 1 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 and vice versa the 100 000 baht her brother gave to us were highly appreciated by me-love my new car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim armstrong Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Agree with crazy c - gold is definitely a winner. My Adda sandals regularly get regifted to the BIL who doesn't return the favour, but <deleted>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrya Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 My mother sent a couple gifts including an ornamental embroidered table cloth - a really beautiful and expensive one - to my in-laws. First I thought the gifts were all right, but then after we handed over the gifts it dawned on me that there is no where to put the table cloth. As they are typical Thai country side people, they don't have the kind of tables we do. And just to put a twist in the story, the table cloth ended up in my house. Having observed other family members I learnt that the best gifts are money, gold, electrical appliances or things consumed daily, such as rice, fruit, washing powder etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wooloomooloo Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Not really a Thai phenomena. It's certainly not. Many a gift I receive in the UK ends up in LOS with the MIL or extended family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wooloomooloo Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Having observed other family members I learnt that the best gifts are money, gold, electrical appliances or things consumed daily, such as rice, fruit, washing powder etc. ...alcohol and clothes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 this one is easy, many cant afford to buy nice things for others, they just dont have the spare cash, so when they get something given, they then have the opportunity to give, which makes them feel good, as it did you when you gave it. The Thais around me are driving around in brand new cars and that's in Isarn. There are many rich Thais these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Seastallion Posted November 18, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2014 And here is the origin of the word...... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post willyumiii Posted November 18, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2014 Me too! There was once a very nice and a very cute massuse I was kind of sweet on. I bought her a pretty expensive pair of gold ear rings as a surprise gift. A few "visits" later I mentioned that I had never seen her wear the earrings and asked if she didn't like them. " No, like much, but too nice for me so I give mother!" I was not impress with the re-gifting. As it turned out, she gave me the gift of scabies that same visit! So, I returned the next day and re-gifted the scabies to her younger sister who worked at the same massage parlor! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillageIdiot Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Clueless topic title... the practice is worldwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitsune Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Buying a razor to an Asian guy (who shaves once a month)? Good one Dave! What's next ? Ice to Inuits? Sand to desert nomads? Hint : If you make an effort to actually know the person, you might be able to offer decent gifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Buying a razor to an Asian guy (who shaves once a month)? Good one Dave! What's next ? Ice to Inuits? Sand to desert nomads? Hint : If you make an effort to actually know the person, you might be able to offer decent gifts. I disagree! A razor for a man who shaves once a month is a useful gift. This is Thailand! How many millions of women here are constantly purchasing bras... and never have anything to put into them....ever? At least the man has a use for the razor once a month! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bina Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 we all do that. if someone gives me a shirt that i dont like, and i cant return it, if there is someone else that will like it and use it i will give it to them. wahts wrong with that? better that it shoudl sit in the closet for a year then i donate it to a charity? same same... i long ago stopped giving personally oriented gifts. theya re all generic family oriented and everyone picks what they want. if its something super special, i speak with the person and explain the reasoning behind the gift but at the end of the day, if they still dont want or liek it.. its not my problem ... ill jsut notice and next time do somethng different. you hsould be flattered that theya re seen as expensive and good gifts, enought to be used to be given to someone else. my husband always says to me: 'hueng'... if i say why did u give so and so that shirt i bought u.... he says, he has plenty of shirts and so and so liked it so gave it to him.. thats the best gift there is in my opinioun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitsune Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Buying a razor to an Asian guy (who shaves once a month)? Good one Dave! What's next ? Ice to Inuits? Sand to desert nomads? Hint : If you make an effort to actually know the person, you might be able to offer decent gifts. I disagree! A razor for a man who shaves once a month is a useful gift. This is Thailand! How many millions of women here are constantly purchasing bras... and never have anything to put into them....ever? At least the man has a use for the razor once a month! qq1.jpg What is this ? Trailer park forum? I would have never imagine having to say that one day News flash ; All women have breast and need bras. Another matter is getting the right one News flash 2: Men have and will continue to shave without electric razor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMHO Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 (edited) Some simple solutions: 1. Stop giving them gifts they don't want 2. Stop giving them gifts 3. Give them the gift no Thai gives away - money Edited November 19, 2014 by IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maswov Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Happens everywhere dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottMallon Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 News flash...if you don't see them use your gifts, the chances are they don't love your gifts. They either give the gifts away or put the gifts away. Next time, give them cash and see what will happen. With cash, it would save you time and energy try to find the perfect gifts; it would also give them chance to find their favor things they want/need. Newsflash - call me old-fashioned but it's the thought that counts. If they give a gift away, give them NOTHING. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhnomKhnom Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 What is a gift? It is an item FREELY GIVEN to someone who then owns it free and clear to do with it as they want. If it is a "gift" with strings, then it is not really a gift. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick01827 Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 The Thai Art of 'Re-Gifting' This used to drive me nuts. You take the extra effort buy buy an appropriate or special gift for a Thai Person. It's received, smiles are exchanged and a few days later, out of sight, the gift is opened. Sometimes, you never see that gift again. Sometimes you see that another Family member uses it as their own. Even better it's been 're-gifted' to them. Classic cases of all three. Bought a nice shirt for the gf's old man. Polo shirt, with a pocket, and Australia words on the pocket. Never saw him wore it once. Quizzed the gf. She claims to know nothing. Six months later ... never saw it being worn. Finally, the gf hints at what might have happened. He has maybe 're-gifted' to a friend ... Not because he didn't like it, but he wanted good face by giving a 'foreign' gift. Gave the same guy an electric razor. Never used it. Now, my fault there ... I reckon he'd shave maybe once a month ... not very hirsute. He then (effectively) gives it to his daughter ... who gives it to her bf. A man that I don't particularly like. Yeh, Yeh, I know ... 'David, you've given the gift ... it's not yours any more. The joy is in the giving'. Well, I reckon the joy is also in the recipient using your gift. Mate of mine gave his gf and nice purse, maybe $50-$60 bucks worth. She tots off to Thailand and gives it to her sister. Why? Well, her sister worked so that my mates gf could go to University ... it was pay-back time. I like giving surprises ... but, more often then not now, I ask what I should buy for the person ... and then pray it's not re-gifted ... BTW ... if anyone here is a smaller size member I have an 'official copy' Liverpool shirt which my gf's friends gave me for Christmas last year ... happy to re-gift it ... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick01827 Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Brilliant post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechnikaIII Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 as mentioned many times before by me: never ask WHY in Thailand....there a many miracles we never will get... btw the new motorbike i gave my wife two years ago for her BD was highly appreciated,same as the i-phone last year... may you should re-think about your gifts... gold is always a winner! "maybe you should re-think about your gifts.." Or you could think about regifting their expressions of affection. When she says "I love you", you accept it then re-gift the gesture to another woman. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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