Invited to Asian home for playdate-do I need to bring something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always bring a small snack to share (bag of pretzels, goldfish, apples, blueberries, whatever I have around the house). It doesn't matter if the family is from Mars or Asia.

That should be the attitude for everyone.

I would also say remove shoes. Not only for Asians, but homes that have babies as well.

[Anonymous]

Now that I'm thinking about it, our Asian friends have brought small gifts (e.g. flowers) when they come over for play dates. Is this a cultural norm in parts of Asia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again, and also for the record, I can't believe the scorn for wanting to be culturally sensitive. Guess you can't win.

I hear you. Ignore the scornful PP's and thank you for your sensitivity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Playdate does not take place at meal time but both sets of parents will be present as both of our families are relatively new to the neighborhood and I think we are all thinking we'd like to develop the relationship. Should we bring something? A food gift? It's a morning playdate--our bagel place is closed on Saturday, I was wondering if we should go out to get doughnuts.

Jesus, Asia is a long way to go for a playdate.

[Anonymous]

Please refer to the following playdate gift guide:

- Thailand - bottle of perfume
- Lao - box of praline chocolates
- Cambodian (Khmer) - triscuits
- Cambodia (Karenn) - pringles
- Malay - Jack Daniels
- Singaporean - lucky strike unfiltered
- Japanese - any whiskey

These are the only ones I know. Can anyone add to the list?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op again, and also for the record, I can't believe the scorn for wanting to be culturally sensitive. Guess you can't win.

OP, I am all for being culturally sensitive. But there is no such thing as "Asian culture". There are many different cultures in Asia.

+1. The only people who say "Asian culture" are Americans.

[Anonymous]

I'm asian/korean and was raise here. To me, it's only a playdate so no need to bring anything if it was a dinner or a party it'd be different.

and yeah expect to take off your shoes. also it won't hurt to bring a dish of eggrolls for the mom and a bruce lee "enter the dragon" DVD for the dad, they will very much appreciate it! if grandma lives with them i would give her some ginseng tea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being Asian have to do with anything?

I specifically mentioned this because I had the recent food at parties thread in mind. An Asian poster had said something about food being important and being scandalized at not being provided food. For the record, the neighbors are not Asian-American. They are Asian from abroad.

That poster was saying the host should provide food, nothing about the guest. Anyway, treat them like you'd treat an American family. No different.

Asians notice basic manners. And these mean that they will notice if you will remove shoes (hygiene), wash hands before touching food, and if you bring a small token gift when you come the first time for a playdate. A playdate is an informal gathering. Nothing big needs to be brought, just cookies or fruits etc, that people can snack upon. It just shows that you are participating and want to share. Not rocket science - sheesh!

Also - Americans - please blow nose in the powder room and not in front of people. Wash your hands after blowing your nose. Wash your hands after using the rest rooms. Make sure that you and your kid poops in your own house before you come to our house. That's all.

[Anonymous]

The no shoes thing isn't just an Asian thing, FWIW. I was raised in Canada and taking shoes off at the door is pretty standard. Mainly so you don't trek snow/ice/salt/gravel into the home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm asian/korean and was raise here. To me, it's only a playdate so no need to bring anything if it was a dinner or a party it'd be different.

and yeah expect to take off your shoes. also it won't hurt to bring a dish of eggrolls for the mom and a bruce lee "enter the dragon" DVD for the dad, they will very much appreciate it! if grandma lives with them i would give her some ginseng tea.

Please don't being eggrolls. We don't eat them.

-Asian

[Anonymous]

Korean here: a crisp $100 bill is standard. Oh and a jcrew gift card.

[Anonymous]

Bring extra eggrolls. And some sushi just in case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being Asian have to do with anything?

I specifically mentioned this because I had the recent food at parties thread in mind. An Asian poster had said something about food being important and being scandalized at not being provided food. For the record, the neighbors are not Asian-American. They are Asian from abroad.

That poster was saying the host should provide food, nothing about the guest. Anyway, treat them like you'd treat an American family. No different.

Asians notice basic manners. And these mean that they will notice if you will remove shoes (hygiene), wash hands before touching food, and if you bring a small token gift when you come the first time for a playdate. A playdate is an informal gathering. Nothing big needs to be brought, just cookies or fruits etc, that people can snack upon. It just shows that you are participating and want to share. Not rocket science - sheesh!

Also - Americans - please blow nose in the powder room and not in front of people. Wash your hands after blowing your nose. Wash your hands after using the rest rooms. Make sure that you and your kid poops in your own house before you come to our house. That's all.

This is absurd. My parents immigrated from Asia and they would be horrified to think guests would be worried about offending them and walking on eggshells in their home. Your insulting implication is that this fsmile doesn't understand the new culture they are in, and they are cold and ungracious. Asian doesn't mean stick up your ass and forcing people yo conform to your ways.

[Anonymous]

OMG this is one of the most ridiculous posts I've ever seen.

Asian like Indian Asian or Japanese Asian? Or maybe Korean? Srilankan Asian? Is that how it's spelled? Help me someone? Asia is such a huuuuuuge continent.

[Anonymous]

WTF?????
You do know that Asia is a continent made up of numerous countries.
You do know that these "Asian" people live here in America -- your neighborhood I assume!
_
You do know you could have just asked the host if you needed to bring something?