I’ve been doing a study abroad internship here in Tokyo, and there’s a smallish cafe that I found close to my work, and I’ve been going there almost every day for lunch cause I love their coffee and their food. Despite my Japanese being pretty rough, I’ve kind of gotten to know the staff there, and they recognize me and know my order when I come in. All in all it’s a really nice vibe and the people are super cool.
That being said I’m leaving in a couple weeks because my internship is ending and I wanted to know if there’s something I can give/do that would show my appreciation for them. I know tipping isn’t really a thing here, but I’d like to be able to do something to thank them when I leave. I know it might be weird culturally, and if that’s the case I’ll probably just say thanks and move on, but if there’s an option that doesn’t have unfortunate cultural implications, I’d like to do it.
Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
23 comments
Probably get their address and send a post card when you return home. It’s awkward to give businesses gifts.
I know a Japanese guy who frequented a small sushi restaurant run by an old couple. He found out they were retiring and got them some snacks, like a box of omiyage.
The bakery owner from a shop I frequent to talks to me all the time despite my N4-ish Japanese. I recently gave her chocolate as an omiyage and she immediately accepted. She said they liked it. However, the next time I went, she gave me free bread. It’s not the first time, but usually she would give me some bread when there’s not a lot of customers for the day.
I think if you can explain why you’re giving the gift, they would gladly accept. Don’t give them money though! My suggestion would be something interesting or delicious from your home country.
How many employees? I’ve bought gifts for restaurant owners before, but they’ve always been owner operated with no, or maybe one, additional staff, and it’s always been some sort of souvenir from my trips to my home country. The other regulars always bring in stuff as well and it’s generally shared among owners and regulars.
I’d say some standard omiyage would be fine, the same you’d bring to work. If you can find something from your home country or culture, that’s always a plus.
I had a cafe I did frequent often near my workplace and there was a solid regulars community which we also did activities together. Always when I got packages from home would bring them some Baumkuchen or other German sweets to share with everyone to their tea time. Owner and regulars were always happy and other customers also did the same bringing their grown fruits or local omiyage for everyone.
I go regularly to a salad place next to my office and they are always nice to me, last week I bought some imported chocolates in the supermarket for all the stuff, they took it and were happy about it.
That’s it, didn’t think about it too much.
A melon. If I can’t buy American candy which is my go to, I usually just buy a gift fruit like a melon.
A solid review on any sites you have access to.
Perhaps a very nice card from your home country would be well appreciated? It’s more special if someone sends you something like that.
A nicely wrapped box of decent chocolates will do it.
Even though it sounds awkward on paper, giving a gift to a small business like this is really sweet! I’ve done this before, in the US (gave my barber a roleplaying game book during the holidays and some japanese omiyage when I visited home) and in Japan (chocolates from kyoto to my barber and his staff). Both times been given free hair cuts.
Box of omiyage with enough contents for everyone at the establishment. Also a 5 star google maps review.
Nice fruit is always good
Nice fruit. Or something they can share with customers.
Bring them more customers.
Drop the name! Would love a good reco
There’s a restaurant I frequent run by a couple and since tipping isn’t a thing here, one day I decided to bring them some local specialty food from my town in Japan. In return, they gave me a free drink. This has been going for close to a year now. I bring them small omiyage type gifts and they give me a free drink or something. They even gave me a birthday gift!
Expensive cookies bought at a department store.
Box of omiyage and a short handwritten note sound good enough.
Do you know what the staff might like? Sorry, sounds obvious, but if they have any interests, get them something that matches those interests.
I sent a bottle of wine to a local restaurant where I know the staff were into wine.
Mind you, I tried tipping at another restaurant and they gave ME a bottle of wine.
There is a Japanese saying that free things are the most expensive – but I guess if you are leaving and you give them a gift on your last day they can’t gift you anything in return.
Just write them a nice card showing your appreciation and some kind of sweets.
For sure they will put your card up in the break room or something.
Small gift from your homeland can be very nice with a card telling them how much you appreciate their hospitality.
Something from “home.”