gift for parents in village - what's appropriate?

[ocsam]

my wife and I are heading to Bali in a few weeks for a month-long stay - our third but longest trip so far. Our Balinese "daughter" is working in Guam but will join us. She has lived with us in the US off and on over the last 5 years.

When we go to the village to see her parents again, we want to take them a gift as a way to honor them. They are in their 70's - lovely people.

Any ideas on what kind of gift is appropriate? The last thing we want to do is take them something that offends them.

Thanks for any ideas.

Sam

[Roy]

Sam, if I’ve read your post correctly, your Balinese in-laws live in a normal Balinese compound. So do mine. And when I want to please them with gifts, I can assure you from experience what really lights up their eyes.

Take them the following, which in true Balinese fashion will be greatly accepted: a 25 kilo bag of rice, one or two kilo of coffee, a kilo of sugar, some sweet cakes, and a papaya will more than fit the bill.

[ocsam]

thank you SO much, Roy. That's exactly what I'll do.

Sam

[Git]

Dear Sam

Each time i visit all my aunts and uncles in bali they just love getting see's chocolates from the USA i bring them all a big box.

I'm departing also in a few weeks, have a good flight (it
s a long one from here)

Gina Tyler

[ocsam]

Thanks, Gina. Great idea! Suci has 4 sibling families - I'll load up ...

We're flying Singapore Airlines for the first time - LA to Singapore is a loooong flight - so long, I try to shut it out of my mind once the flight gets started and just hybernate until the flight is over :--))

Sam

[Git]

selamat sore sam
Yes it is over 20 hours for me to get to kuala lumpur (Malaysia air) then another 3-4 hours to bali from there. With the time change so drastic the jet lag is horrid the entire first week. No wonder not many from the usa end up in bali. At least i'm not traveling with tiny children,feel so bad for those parents,its hard.
But its worth it in the long run. If i could afford it i would do it several times per year.
Have a good trip

Gina TYler

[Tommy]

And if they happen to like Durian.. buy a few of the quite expensive and very big and sweet imported sort that can be found at Macro in Jl.Bypass :wink:

[ocsam]

Tommy, thanks for the tip on the "Durian" ... ha! I had to look it up to find out what it was. I'll taste one for sure during my upcoming trip and will take your advice for gift-giving. I appreciate the help. -Sam

[Roy]

Just back from a “walk about” Bali I presented to all five families involved with this trip 5 kilos of north Bali premium coffee and 10 kilos of red rice. Top shelf premium basics are greatly appreciated…meaning big smiles, kisses and hugs. The families of two priests, "Jero Manku" and three other families really were very appreciative, as these gifts are at the top of gifts, Balinese to Balinese.

Cookies, chocolate, and used clothes just don’t cut it in relation to top shelf basics.

I would never offer a Balinese a durian as I am not able to qualify an exceptinal durian. Many durian are hardly digestable.

Many westerners get "hung up" thinking about what to give to a Balinese family. Thinking in western ways, they most often "miss the boat."

[ocsam]

I'm taking notes, Roy, and want to learn. Thank you!