gift giving etiquette for instructors
- Thread starter rachel
- Start date
1. Another Parker II knife;
2. A black corvette;
3. One of Mike Pick's fighting knives;
4. A winning lottery ticket.
No seriously, I think it is more appropriate for the class to give an instructor a present. That way he/she does not feel obligated to give each sender a gift in return. (Not that he/she should, reference Giri for the student - and shibumi for the teacher.) It is already a reciprocal relationship to me, I learn by teaching, or at least try to.
Try not to create more of a sense of obligation that you have to. I got a Parker I knife a coupe or five years ago from my whole class. This meant more to me than I can describe ... and it was not expected. By everyone pitching in and pooling their resources, you can purchase or make, a much nicer present than the individual student can afford. (reference gift #2 on my list above.
I do not encourage giving the instructor a gift - a lot of traditional or ravenous individuals may want all the stuff they can get from their students, but to me, it creates a sense of Giri, or duty back to the student that I may not be willing to give. Of course chocolate and cookies are always accepted.
Oss,
-Michael
2. A black corvette;
3. One of Mike Pick's fighting knives;
4. A winning lottery ticket.
No seriously, I think it is more appropriate for the class to give an instructor a present. That way he/she does not feel obligated to give each sender a gift in return. (Not that he/she should, reference Giri for the student - and shibumi for the teacher.) It is already a reciprocal relationship to me, I learn by teaching, or at least try to.
Try not to create more of a sense of obligation that you have to. I got a Parker I knife a coupe or five years ago from my whole class. This meant more to me than I can describe ... and it was not expected. By everyone pitching in and pooling their resources, you can purchase or make, a much nicer present than the individual student can afford. (reference gift #2 on my list above.
I do not encourage giving the instructor a gift - a lot of traditional or ravenous individuals may want all the stuff they can get from their students, but to me, it creates a sense of Giri, or duty back to the student that I may not be willing to give. Of course chocolate and cookies are always accepted.
Oss,
-Michael
I was tickled with just the cards we received.. with heartfelt note inside from our students
I always feel a bit embarrassed when a student gives a gift and I have nothing to reciprocate with.. so maybe just a card (especially the first Christmas) would be appropo *S*
course cookies are good..*w*
Tess
O
Old Warrior
Guest
"I always feel a bit embarrassed when a student gives a gift and I have nothing to reciprocate with. so maybe just a card (especially the first Christmas) would be appropo *S*"
Why? You've done your best to teach a student a difficult art. If the student wishes to acknowledge your sincere effort - learn to accept the thought and just say "Thank You". I wrote a nice humble, self depricating note that I enclosed with the gift I gave to my Kumdo teacher. My only hope is that the Master will have someone translate it into Korean.
Why? You've done your best to teach a student a difficult art. If the student wishes to acknowledge your sincere effort - learn to accept the thought and just say "Thank You". I wrote a nice humble, self depricating note that I enclosed with the gift I gave to my Kumdo teacher. My only hope is that the Master will have someone translate it into Korean.
K
Kirk
Guest
A friend of mine who studies kendo in Houston said that the dojo
collectively gets the owner of the dojo a gift on christmas and his
birthday. Most of the time, it's been something for the school, like
mats, mirrors, equipment, etc. It's a pretty big school, and this
year, they all bought him a $5,000 kyoto(sp?) sword, to replace
one he sold back in the early 80's when the dojo was still
struggling.
I was touched enough to ask the guys in my school if they wanted
to chip in for a gift, and I got pure silence in the locker room. To
each his own. Next year, I'm going to buy that 3 foot diameter
Universal Pattern that Ron Whipple sells. If anyone wants to chip
in before I give it to him, fine, their name will go on the "From:"
tag with mine. If not, I'm still doing it.
collectively gets the owner of the dojo a gift on christmas and his
birthday. Most of the time, it's been something for the school, like
mats, mirrors, equipment, etc. It's a pretty big school, and this
year, they all bought him a $5,000 kyoto(sp?) sword, to replace
one he sold back in the early 80's when the dojo was still
struggling.
I was touched enough to ask the guys in my school if they wanted
to chip in for a gift, and I got pure silence in the locker room. To
each his own. Next year, I'm going to buy that 3 foot diameter
Universal Pattern that Ron Whipple sells. If anyone wants to chip
in before I give it to him, fine, their name will go on the "From:"
tag with mine. If not, I'm still doing it.
A group gift is a good idea. Another common approach is to get something for the school rather than the instructor. Is there something it clearly needs? At one school I studied at the instructor's clock lost time so rapidly that he never knew when to start class. Several students got him a clock. It was really appreciated and practical. It can be that simple.
we Tried that last year.. the group gift for Seig.. no problem getting the money together.. but it was a hassle trying to wait for it to arrive and finally did Months later from an online site.. this year we are just having a small potluck at the school (tonight actually) It is a nice gesture for the Head Instructor
Good to see you Kirk.. Happy Holidays~!
Tess
I think a gift certificate for the instructor and significant other is quite nice. Given by the entire class this way it can be a better cert. for a nicer resteraunt.
We went to our local chinese buffet today as well. I love frog legs and put a pretty good dent in the pan/
It must be tough to be them. Heather didn't want to even touch them. I ate about 20 - 25 of the little guys.
Home baked pastries were big this year, and much appreciated. Thanks MIN and HAPPY BIRTHDAY on the 25th.
Home brewed beer, a whole case ... some english style ale (similar to Newcastle) and an american style ale (Samual Adams maybe?) Some still needs to sit a while due to "yeast" issues. Whatever, all I know is I appreciated the thought and plan on appreciating the product.
We, as a school, went out after advanced class Thursday for a meal and a brew. It started the Christmas season off well.
Thanks All & Merry Christmas,
-Michael
Home brewed beer, a whole case ... some english style ale (similar to Newcastle) and an american style ale (Samual Adams maybe?) Some still needs to sit a while due to "yeast" issues. Whatever, all I know is I appreciated the thought and plan on appreciating the product.
We, as a school, went out after advanced class Thursday for a meal and a brew. It started the Christmas season off well.
Thanks All & Merry Christmas,
-Michael
