Gift for Korean friend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think something Korean would be lovely! She probably is so hurt right now that she would truly appreciate it. What about a Korean kimono outfit for the bride and groom? And maybe some Korean fans? You could also give them some Korean china and bring takeout from a Korean restaurant. How lovely!

I assume the above was sarcasm. I mean, clearly. But the above is an exaggerated example of why you should NOT try to gift something Korean. If you lack the knowledge and familiarity of a culture, why try to assume it for gift giving? OP, just give what you would normally give any married couple. Koreans are people, too. They like cash, dinners, household items, gifts off the registry. Let their close friends and family gift what is culturally appropriate. That is not your role here. Just give cash.

Uh, no. Not sarcasm. That's just rude! The bride didn't get to have an authentic Korean wedding with all the accompanying traditions and gifts. She would love to be honored this way. You are just bringing insensitive and boring gifts that they will never remember or cherish.

Troll fail

You are the troll that calls someone with a valid point a troll

It’s not valid to suggest giving the Korean friend a kimono and a bag of takeout from a Korean restaurant for a wedding gift. It’s either an incredibly stupid idea, or a troll comment. Your pick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think something Korean would be lovely! She probably is so hurt right now that she would truly appreciate it. What about a Korean kimono outfit for the bride and groom? And maybe some Korean fans? You could also give them some Korean china and bring takeout from a Korean restaurant. How lovely!

A minor point but kimono is Japanse, it's called Hanbok in Korea. Same idea, different style, and definitely different names. Koreans will get offended if you call it kimono instead of Hanbok. They are expensive too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A set of soju glasses
Korean dinnerware, chopsticks/spoon sets, banchan bowls
Dolset soup/stew stone bowls

Korean-American here. No, OP, don’t do this…

[Anonymous]

Just get a nice american gift OP. No need to remind her that she is different. This country reminds us everyday that we are indeed different and the melting pot sh*t was fake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Korean American here married to a non Korean. We really don’t have anything in our house that is Korean decor. I don’t think you should try to buy them a Korean gift. Koreans usually give cash as a wedding gift. I was surprised how many people just gave me an envelope of cash without even a card!

Is she Korean American or Korean from korea? Either way I would not try to gift something korean. If she is korean from korea, she does not need something korean from a non korean. If she is korean American, she likely is very Americanized and doesn’t want or need korean gifts.

When I got married, Dh and I went to korea together. I bought all these beautiful plates and bowls. I got one pretty set that I believe you are supposed to put Banchan (side dishes). I have literally never used any of these plates or bowls. They just take up some cabinet space.

Plus, if a well meaning white friend gave me and my non-Korean husband a set of chopstick holders or Korean traditional outfits or ducks, I would be mortified. The ducks are a traditional matrimonial gift for Korean couples. I would see such a gift as a slap in the face especially coming from a non-Korean gift giver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What ethnicity is the new husband?

Did you read the OP? He's Black. I'd just go off her wedding registry. That's what she really wants.

Are you dense? Black is not an ethnicity. Examples of Black ethnicities include African American, Afro Caribbean, British West Indian, and many, many others.

Okay, yes technically that is correct. But honestly, as Americans when someone asks about ethnicity they typically mean Black, White, Asian, etc.

No, they don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think something Korean would be lovely! She probably is so hurt right now that she would truly appreciate it. What about a Korean kimono outfit for the bride and groom? And maybe some Korean fans? You could also give them some Korean china and bring takeout from a Korean restaurant. How lovely!

A minor point but kimono is Japanse, it's called Hanbok in Korea. Same idea, different style, and definitely different names. Koreans will get offended if you call it kimono instead of Hanbok. They are expensive too.

Well you know what I meant. I think it would be a lovely and, as you mentioned, an expensive gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think something Korean would be lovely! She probably is so hurt right now that she would truly appreciate it. What about a Korean kimono outfit for the bride and groom? And maybe some Korean fans? You could also give them some Korean china and bring takeout from a Korean restaurant. How lovely!

A minor point but kimono is Japanse, it's called Hanbok in Korea. Same idea, different style, and definitely different names. Koreans will get offended if you call it kimono instead of Hanbok. They are expensive too.

Well you know what I meant. I think it would be a lovely and, as you mentioned, an expensive gift.

Yes, I knew what you meant. And, like I said, as a korean-american, if you call Hanbok, a kimono, i'd be offended. This is a sensitive topic beyond you realize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think something Korean would be lovely! She probably is so hurt right now that she would truly appreciate it. What about a Korean kimono outfit for the bride and groom? And maybe some Korean fans? You could also give them some Korean china and bring takeout from a Korean restaurant. How lovely!

I assume the above was sarcasm. I mean, clearly. But the above is an exaggerated example of why you should NOT try to gift something Korean. If you lack the knowledge and familiarity of a culture, why try to assume it for gift giving? OP, just give what you would normally give any married couple. Koreans are people, too. They like cash, dinners, household items, gifts off the registry. Let their close friends and family gift what is culturally appropriate. That is not your role here. Just give cash.

Uh, no. Not sarcasm. That's just rude! The bride didn't get to have an authentic Korean wedding with all the accompanying traditions and gifts. She would love to be honored this way. You are just bringing insensitive and boring gifts that they will never remember or cherish.

Troll fail

You are the troll that calls someone with a valid point a troll

It’s not valid to suggest giving the Korean friend a kimono and a bag of takeout from a Korean restaurant for a wedding gift. It’s either an incredibly stupid idea, or a troll comment. Your pick.

Why are you so unhinged about a kimono? It's a lovely gift and they would appreciate it

[Anonymous]

The Japanese people have not been kind to the Korean people throughout history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think something Korean would be lovely! She probably is so hurt right now that she would truly appreciate it. What about a Korean kimono outfit for the bride and groom? And maybe some Korean fans? You could also give them some Korean china and bring takeout from a Korean restaurant. How lovely!

A minor point but kimono is Japanse, it's called Hanbok in Korea. Same idea, different style, and definitely different names. Koreans will get offended if you call it kimono instead of Hanbok. They are expensive too.

Well you know what I meant. I think it would be a lovely and, as you mentioned, an expensive gift.

This entire thread is so weird. Korean people don’t wear kimonos. You don’t give people wedding gifts based on their ethnicity. I think OP is about to massively offend her friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think something Korean would be lovely! She probably is so hurt right now that she would truly appreciate it. What about a Korean kimono outfit for the bride and groom? And maybe some Korean fans? You could also give them some Korean china and bring takeout from a Korean restaurant. How lovely!

I assume the above was sarcasm. I mean, clearly. But the above is an exaggerated example of why you should NOT try to gift something Korean. If you lack the knowledge and familiarity of a culture, why try to assume it for gift giving? OP, just give what you would normally give any married couple. Koreans are people, too. They like cash, dinners, household items, gifts off the registry. Let their close friends and family gift what is culturally appropriate. That is not your role here. Just give cash.

Uh, no. Not sarcasm. That's just rude! The bride didn't get to have an authentic Korean wedding with all the accompanying traditions and gifts. She would love to be honored this way. You are just bringing insensitive and boring gifts that they will never remember or cherish.

Troll fail

You are the troll that calls someone with a valid point a troll

It’s not valid to suggest giving the Korean friend a kimono and a bag of takeout from a Korean restaurant for a wedding gift. It’s either an incredibly stupid idea, or a troll comment. Your pick.

Why are you so unhinged about a kimono? It's a lovely gift and they would appreciate it

DP here. Kimono is Japanese. There is a lot of bad history between Korea and Japan. If you brought a kimono as a wedding gift thinking it was a hanbok, I could see that being very insulting.

If someone brought me a kimono from Japan as a gift, I would think it was cool. I probably would never wear it but I would appreciate the gesture.

I can’t speak for all Koreans but picking out a hanbok can be very personal. I wouldn’t want someone to pick out the wrong size or cut. I would want to pick out my own colors.

OP, buy them something from William Sonoma or crate & barrel and call it a day. Make sure you include a gift receipt.

[Anonymous]

Yes please just get them a giftcard to Nordstrom or bourbon steak or heck politics and prose.

[Anonymous]

OP , please don’t do this. Give her a nice spa certificate, a meal out, anything but ducks or ban Chan bowls.

[Anonymous]

If a person marry outside of their race, it is likely that person is not traditional. So, do not get anything that you think is traditional or "Korean."

Get something they can do together. Maybe spa certificate. What are her hobbies? Or their hobbies what do they have in common? If they like fine wine, get something like good wine or certificate to a wine cellar place. For adventurous couples, a certificate to an adventure like zip lining, water rafting...