Firefreak on 31/5/2007 at 18:23

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From my side less about the 'what' (anything should be possible), more about the 'how'; According to my guide, a present will not be opened immediately - it is as if the receipient is not interested in the gift and puts it away; Instead, it will be opened privately.

I vaguely remember something about having it not resemble of consisting of four pieces - but even I didn't understand this part. I guess the better experts here can elaborate on that :)
Using both hands for giving/receiving presents was noted somewhere above if I remember.

Oh, and talking about homestay - I think this hasn't been noted yet (but would probably in any guide): When using the toilet, be sure to change into the slippers that should be standing in front of the toilet room. (And - and this is important - change back to your own when coming out again; That's another 'bad idea' sign to proceed back into the living room with the extra pair still on...)

demagogue on 31/5/2007 at 19:12

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A standard gift for this kind of situation is like something special to wherever you are from. So like, when I went I was coming from Texas, so it went over well when I gave them "cowboy" sort of stuff.

A kind of food (like a snack) special to your area goes over very well, but I'm not sure about carrying food on int'l flights these days? If you can do it, it's good. US cities don't really have this kind of culture of every city having its own identifiably special snack, though. Anyway, it doesn't have to be food. Anything that your area might get identified with, really.

Edit, oh, I don't know about the opening in "private" thing. That sounds more like a gift you give to a new neighbor, whereas this is a host family. So of course you'll be around when they open it. So it'd be great to give a gift that you can talk about when they see it. They'll be curious about American culture and where you're from. So if you give a gift that has some connection to your city or state, it allows you to talk about why it's important, how it is like a window in the culture of where you're from, things like that. It's a conversation starter. Think about it from that perspective when looking for something.

Edit 2, oh, also ... buy postcards from your hometown or state! You want to give your host family a decent gift. But there may be other people that you want to give a little memento. Postcards from home work really well for this. And you can put a little note on the back and your contact information. And the picture gives a good impression about where you're from ... and it's also a good conversation piece.

Shug on 1/6/2007 at 01:04

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The opening privately is more of a personal (and female) thing in Japan; it's to ensure that you don't have a reaction upon opening the gift that might offend the gift-giver!

And I second what demagogue said about the 'local' type of gift; I gave my host family a whole raft of gear including stuffed toys in the form of Australia's well known fauna such as a koala, platypus and so forth.

Digital Nightfall on 1/6/2007 at 01:10

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I spent several hours today looking for some "space program" theme'd gift, to no avail. I'll have to do that while visiting my parents briefly this weekend. The problem will be finding something nice - cheap junk shops with space shuttle souvenirs are a dime a dozen around those parts.

And yes LT, I know what you like. No I am not going to buy you any. Sorry.

:)

Yes, the guy looks like he's having fun. I suppose I would be too, had I such company.

Scots Taffer on 1/6/2007 at 05:11

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Hope you have a good time, Digi. I hope to visit Japan while I still have a friend resident over there and get to experience some of the culture firsthand with someone who understands it a little.