Gifts for new Irish friends?
 

I leave in 2 weeks for 9 days in Ireland. I would like to bring some small souvenier type items along to share with new friends I keep hearing I will meet in all the friendly pubs and B&Bs. <BR><BR>I live in Oregon and need to pack light as am traveling solo and on public transport.<BR><BR>Any ideas of small items from the U.S. or the Northwest in particular that are hard to find in Ireland?<BR><BR>Thanks!

I wouldn't take anything. You are talking about gifts for people you have yet to meet, right? For me, it's hard enough buying something for someone I know - let alone a perfect stranger. Strikes me as shades of the early white explorers in America giving little trinkets to the native Indians to buy their friendship. How many times have you given a gift to a fellow patron in a bar or hotel in North America? How many times have you been given one? The good conversations I've had with people while traveling will be remembered long after a dimestore souvenir has been lost or broken. Sorry, don't mean to offend - just giving a view.<BR><BR>

Susan, I'm Irish so from that perspective while I understand your good intentions I think it would be seen as very strange here in Ireland. I generally don't expect to receive gifts from people I've just met, I think you might even be considered a little weird if you do what you've explained. Again as said by Hugh this is not meant to offend but you did ask for feedback. Have a good trip.<BR><BR>www.vistaphotos.com

Hi Susan<BR>I would agree with the two previous posters that giving gifts to people you happen to meet during your travels is a bit odd and unusual. <BR>I did, however, bring small gifts as a friendly gesture to cousins of my grandfather (whom I'd never met before) and the owners self-catering cottage we rented. They lived next door and had a family.<BR>They all seemed to enjoy the maple sugar candies and Jelly Belly jelly beans!<BR>

Susan, by far the most welcome gift you could give to just met friends in Ireland would be to buy them a pint. And no, I'm not kidding.

Perhaps a small lapel pin of Oregon's state flower or bird. You can usually pick those type of things up near tourist attractions.

I think you've received some good advice here.<BR><BR>Also, don't just assume that you will strike up friendships with locals. You might, you might not. But, as Kate said, the best and most appropriate gift you can give would be to buy them a drink.

Thanks for your thoughts all!

Strangely enough, you apparently are not the first person to feel the urge to shower strangers with token gifts:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=34368139<BR><BR>No way would I do it though (not sure I even understand the concept)<BR><BR>Go; have a fun adventure - and bring BACK little things for friends.

so it has come up before! Although I never had something as expensive as Tshirts or hats in mind. I see the patronizing way it appears I was thinking, I guess that I just remember times in the past where people travelling exchanged little tokens such as country pins from their homes as a way of sharing something tangible to remember the other person with. I think people here have enlightened me enough to realize it's outdated idea and not likely to go over in the positive way I would have intended. I will save any "gifts" for people I have prior relationships with.

God Susan, where are you going to be? i wouldn't mind a few presents !!