bringing a gift when travelling overseas? - potential boss... (Jan/07/2010 )

Hi,
Ok, i'm gong overseas to see a potential new boss and lab (fingers crossed), and i'm in the habit of bringing gifts to people when i see them for the first time. is this ok with a pnb/lab?
if it is, what would you bring?
i've usually brought a book of photography of the aussie outback/forests... but considering this is with a new lab, perhaps something edible?

please help!!

V

Edible is always good. Chocolates or some other sweets perhaps? I usually bring cookies, but I haven't moved long distances yet.

is this a job interview or a social connection?

i wouldn't bring anything but myself (and cv and important papers that i coauthored) for a job interview.

if it is a social connection (with potential for employment) then i might bring something.

but, if you e going into the lab then i would advise against edibles. they are generally forbidden in labs and you don't know how the rules are relaxed or strictly adhered to. i wouldn't take the chance.

one disclaimer, i am generally a thoughtless person, so i wouldn't even think about bringing a gift in either situation.

In Germany it's a habit in some companies and institutes to celebrate the start of one's new job...some cakes and cookies, good coffee/tea for example...but it depends...and you do it after some time for the whole working group if there is an occasion...alcohol never.
Don't know about different countries....
overseas if it's the US (perhaps Canada/Australia too) edibles may be confiscated by the customs...

hobglobin on Jan 8 2010, 06:16 PM said:

usually not if they're cooked or processed and sealed well but still, it all depends on the customs agent. We have a mini-conference room on our floor and sometimes, you'd find edibles brought in by some people interviewing for a position so I think, there's really no strict rule about this and it would be a personal preference. MD has a good point though..if you wanna keep it strictly professional, with all boundaries and stuff, you don't need to bring anything but yourself...usually people understand this and to give gifts might appear as a kind of ar*e-kissing .

However, I still think a good coffee table book for your prospective boss on aussie photography, culture, history, aboriginal arts etc. wouldn't hurt esp if you had exchanged quite a few e-mail messages with each other or had the initial discussions by phone. And you can also bring edibles for the lab or the secretary/admin people who arranged your documents for the interview etc...it's their job, I know, but just to show your appreciation...anyways, you would have a feel for what's appropriate I think......

Personally, I would wait until you've got the job, then bring in something for the whole lab -- maybe food and coffee so you can also use the event to get to know your lab mates.