旅行から帰る際に、職場や友人にお土産を買うことについて、ママスタコミュニティでの意見が紹介されている。一部の投稿者はお土産を買うことを自慢に感じ、またお土産の希少価値が薄れてきていると指摘している。一方で、旅行の話をしない人もお土産を買わないという声もある。また、休暇を利用して旅行に行った場合は職場にお土産を買う人もいるが、会社や職場によって異なる意見があるようだ。
When you go on a trip, do you buy souvenirs for your workplace or friends? Some people buy souvenirs as a thank you for taking time off from work, while others choose not to because they find it bothersome. There have been posts related to souvenirs on the Mama Star community, so let’s take a look at them.
『When you go on a trip, do you buy souvenirs for your workplace or friends? It seems like showing off, and I feel resistant. Is it common sense to buy souvenirs when you go on a trip?』
The author feels resistant because giving souvenirs to people around them seems like showing off. It’s understandable to feel anxious about whether reporting “I went to ○○” could be perceived as boasting. Some people may feel that it is common sense to buy and give souvenirs, while others may not. However, cultural norms like these may also change with the times. Let’s hear what the moms in the Mama Star community have to say.
Voice of moms who feel like they’re bragging when giving souvenirs
『I understand. It feels like showing off when you buy souvenirs』
『If it’s from a rare country, the other person might be interested, but in common places, not so much. And since we travel frequently, it might seem like “again?” so we don’t give souvenirs. But if we’re causing inconvenience, then we’ll give them』
Similar to the author, voices were raised expressing that giving souvenirs after a trip can feel like showing off. Especially for people who travel frequently, there may be hesitance in purchasing souvenirs every time, as it could be perceived as unpleasant. How households allocate their money varies, but many might consider travel a luxury. Considering people who, due to their financial situation, may not be able to travel even if they want to, not buying souvenirs could also be a way of showing consideration.
Another factor might be the diminishing rarity of souvenirs. Even domestically, regional products can be easily obtained, and imported items can be found in specialty stores. From that perspective, souvenirs themselves may be losing their value.
Some people don’t talk about their trips and don’t buy souvenirs
『I don’t buy souvenirs, and I don’t talk about where I went』
『I’ve heard someone say, “I don’t talk about my trip stories and don’t bring souvenirs.” I don’t talk about it and don’t buy souvenirs』
There are also people who don’t talk about their travel plans to others. If you don’t talk about it, then there’s no need to buy souvenirs. This way, there’s no need for the trouble of giving gifts. Perhaps this mom has become aware of the controversy over whether giving or not giving souvenirs can cause issues.
If using paid leave, they buy souvenirs for the workplace
『If I traveled using paid leave, I would buy souvenirs. If I traveled when the workplace was closed, like on consecutive holidays or New Year’s, then I wouldn’t buy souvenirs』
『I don’t buy souvenirs. We’re not that close, and the workplace is pretty dry. There aren’t many people who bring sweets』
Multiple voices were raised stating that if they used paid leave to travel, they would buy souvenirs for the workplace. When using paid leave, there may be instances where you inform your colleagues beforehand about your trip. There may also be scenes where someone covers for you at work. In such cases, it seems that buying souvenirs as a thank you for taking time off is common practice. However, on the other hand, there were voices stating, “We don’t have a culture of giving souvenirs even with paid leave,” so it seems to vary depending on the workplace atmosphere.
Now, do you buy souvenirs? Or do you not? From the opinions of the moms this time, it appears that buying souvenirs is not necessarily common sense. It is conceivable that covertly buying souvenirs for specific workplaces or more intimate people may become more mainstream in the future.
Text by: Eitou Andou, Editing by: kunel, Illustration by: Mei