navigating nihon
| Omiyage...friend or foe?
|
9.04.2004 |
So, with the recent end of summer and 'back to school' in full swing I have found myself flowered with gifts. Though I might like to think that these prezzies are the rewards of all my hard work over the summer, that is unlikely as I spent most of the summer traveling.
Welcome to the wonderful (or not, depending on your point of view) world of omiyage (おみやげ). Omiyage is a small gift which one gives to friends and coworkers upon returning from a vacation. Omiyage is an obligation and personally, is the source of most, if not all of my travel stress! Usually one brings home a box of sweets or cookies that are individually wrapped, so that everyone in the office can take one.
I enjoy giving gifts to people but sometimes, omiyage gets a bit out of hand.
I have no doubt that omiyage is a multi-million dollar industry, with every train station and airport devoting large areas solely for this purpose. Yesterday, I saw the most extreme example of omiyage convenience ever! One of my teachers recently returned from a school exchange to Australia and yesterday, she was busy passing out goodies to everyone in the office. What was so crazy you ask?? It turns out that she ordered the omiyage before she went on vacation!! I saw the catalogue on her desk, along with the order form - she spent about 400 CDN!!!
Omiyage is meant to be a small sample of your vacation, but to order something from a catalogs when you are going to that country in person?
Here's one of my theories: Maybe there are some salary men/women who ask for vacation, stating that they are going overseas - - when in reality they are going to a love hotel with their secret lover. These people need to convince their boss that they did go on vacation. Presto, catalogue omiyage. :)
Tonight, I'm heading out for dinner with all the new JETs in the area. It should be a good time - I'm sure there'll be some *ahem*, interesting photos to share with you all! Stay tuned.
emma found her way @ 3:41 p.m.
Welcome to the wonderful (or not, depending on your point of view) world of omiyage (おみやげ). Omiyage is a small gift which one gives to friends and coworkers upon returning from a vacation. Omiyage is an obligation and personally, is the source of most, if not all of my travel stress! Usually one brings home a box of sweets or cookies that are individually wrapped, so that everyone in the office can take one.
I enjoy giving gifts to people but sometimes, omiyage gets a bit out of hand.
I have no doubt that omiyage is a multi-million dollar industry, with every train station and airport devoting large areas solely for this purpose. Yesterday, I saw the most extreme example of omiyage convenience ever! One of my teachers recently returned from a school exchange to Australia and yesterday, she was busy passing out goodies to everyone in the office. What was so crazy you ask?? It turns out that she ordered the omiyage before she went on vacation!! I saw the catalogue on her desk, along with the order form - she spent about 400 CDN!!!
Omiyage is meant to be a small sample of your vacation, but to order something from a catalogs when you are going to that country in person?
Here's one of my theories: Maybe there are some salary men/women who ask for vacation, stating that they are going overseas - - when in reality they are going to a love hotel with their secret lover. These people need to convince their boss that they did go on vacation. Presto, catalogue omiyage. :)
Tonight, I'm heading out for dinner with all the new JETs in the area. It should be a good time - I'm sure there'll be some *ahem*, interesting photos to share with you all! Stay tuned.
emma found her way @ 3:41 p.m.
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