Co-worker from India returning there to get married - appropriate gift?

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Isla

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
My point was to cynically point out the subversive racism in your comments.. "THEY like the same stuff WE do.".. We're American, honey.. "We"="Them"..

Originally posted by: Isla

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Hey,
I'm indian and if one of my friends gave me a "culturally appropriate gift" (curry, one of those dot things that you put on your forehead, some deoderizer for my taxi, etc.) I'd bitchslap them and say that they're not really friends.. Buy him somethign that you think that he likes, not something "culturally responsible.".. I know you didn't mean anything negative..

Originally posted by: Isla
Well, I have a lot of Indian friends and really they like a lot of the same stuff we do.

Yeah, I like gay porn and salami rubbed on my nipples too.. wanker..

You do?

Well, my Indian friends are mostly moms on the PTA and I don't think they share your tastes. They do tend to like the same things I do, though.

Are you feeling well, son?

Boy are you being silly and petty.

I've endured racism all my life. You are being pedantic.

He asked about people in a different country's culture... I emphasized that we are not so different really. So sorry I used pronouns that offended you.

Now get rid of that chip on your shoulder and don't be talking ugly.

If he did that he wouldn't be so special!

He's the kind of Special there's a separate bus for.

- M4H

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Get something really American, but useful. And/or something really American but decorative.

This way he has something to remember you people by, and to show the people in India. A crystal version of a religious symbol he can probably get there too for less than 1/10th of the price you'd be paying.

Does he like sports? And if so a specific sport team? Try to get a signed shirt/glove/whatever as decorative item.

Or maybe a license plate with his name on it, or that of his fiancee.

And maybe a waffle/donut/whatever maker as useful item.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Hey,
I'm indian and if one of my friends gave me a "culturally appropriate gift" (curry, one of those dot things that you put on your forehead, some deoderizer for my taxi, etc.) I'd bitchslap them and say that they're not really friends.. Buy him somethign that you think that he likes, not something "culturally responsible.".. I know you didn't mean anything negative..

Was I not clear? I'm talking about a wedding gift. The guy is from India, he lives in India. He's only here in the US for a few months. Don't make it sound like my first thought is to give him a take-out dinner from the House of Namaste.

The reason I asked in the first place is (1) I am well aware I don't know much about Indian culture; (2) I would like to get an appropriate gift; and (3) I would like to avoid any unfortunate selections due to my own ignorance. I considered the possibility that what might be a very typical wedding gift here could be unwelcome in a different culture. That may or may not be the case, but since I don't know, that's why I'm asking.

For example, he has a small icon of Ganesha on his desk. I do not know the significance of that, but it obviously has importance to him since he brought it with him. The link that Isla provided (thanks, Isla) has a crystal one. Is that appropriate? Or not?

Ganesha is a God, and a lot of people have small icons of him. For instance, we have a small statue of him in our car, home, etc..

Also I wouldnt' buy that for him, because well...he' probably get it for 1/10 the price that you would pay in teh States. Like I suggested earlier, get him something that he can use in the home. Like those fancy plates or a few crystal glasses (if he drinks alchohol that is). Houseware is good. His and hers robes.

Also is gonna be living in India or here?

 

[Dumbledore]

a slurpee.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

will they be living in the US? then ask if they are registered somewhere....

 

[thereds]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
I'd get him something him and his new wife can use in their home. Something that they find useful.

TP?

just kidding.

here comes the indian police.

 

[thereds]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: aircooled
hamburger? (J/K)

Find something about american culture that he likes and cannot get there.

LoL, i was gonna say the hamburger thing.
Get him some Levis and he can sell them in india for some mad rupies

Not really. Levis are cheap as hell in India (read Black Market)

Um, the black market has fake Levis. Unless you go straight to the factory where they are produced for the western market, you can't get them at a cheap price. Otherwise, Levis cost just as much as they do in the US if not a little more.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: thereds

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: aircooled
hamburger? (J/K)

Find something about american culture that he likes and cannot get there.

LoL, i was gonna say the hamburger thing.
Get him some Levis and he can sell them in india for some mad rupies

Not really. Levis are cheap as hell in India (read Black Market)

Um, the black market has fake Levis. Unless you go straight to the factory where they are produced for the western market, you can't get them at a cheap price. Otherwise, Levis cost just as much as they do in the US if not a little more.

Sorry not these levis. And they were only ~ Rs. 300

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

This, from this thread.

 

[thereds]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: thereds

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: aircooled
hamburger? (J/K)

Find something about american culture that he likes and cannot get there.

LoL, i was gonna say the hamburger thing.
Get him some Levis and he can sell them in india for some mad rupies

Not really. Levis are cheap as hell in India (read Black Market)

Um, the black market has fake Levis. Unless you go straight to the factory where they are produced for the western market, you can't get them at a cheap price. Otherwise, Levis cost just as much as they do in the US if not a little more.

Sorry not these levis. And they were only ~ Rs. 300

Well they probably are fake. Where did you buy them from? Some Chor Bazaar? Which city?