Someone I've been working with on one of my projects over the last year is being posted to Shanghai. We've got on well, and he's been very supportive. I'd like to give him a small gift to say thank you as well as a card. He's a cool young French chap, we've never met up outside of work, but I will be sorry to see him go (in a completely appropriate kind of way!).

Things like fountain pens etc. would be over the top I think, and perhaps a bit too personal. I saw Moleskine city notebooks today, and a Shanghai one would have been perfect, except they don't do Shanghai . Any other ideas?

Should I even get him anything at all, except a card? No idea of the etiquette.

Any advice welcome!

Think is a lovely idea. How about a book on Shanghai. When we moved to HK I was given one on HK and truly appreciated it!

Chopsticks - expensive ones - with "made in Switzerland" printed on them!

How about a really nice leather passport holder? Or a dinky travel alarm clock (or both!)

Thank you all! Love the chopsticks idea Merrylegs, no idea where to find those!!

Was thinking about a Wallpaper guide (travel books for "hipsters" ) but didn't know where to find English ones in Basel, and his German's not so great I don't think - but *lightbulb moment* have found a French version on amazon.fr, so have ordered that - perfect!

Yeah the expensive chopsticks would be a great idea. Most Chinese people don't dish out on chopsticks so if a foreigner whips a pair out it'd be pretty impressive.

A simple Mandarin phrasebook - trust me, he's going to need it!

Or an insider's guide to Shanghai?

Ok, does he speak/read German?

Iwanowski is IMHO the best publisher for travel books and they have not only a book on Shanghai, but a great one on "how to behave in China" with a lot of insights into the culture. I have it and loved it. If he doesn't read German, maybe there are most likely some similar ones available in English.

http://www.iwanowski.de/asien/china-3-titel.html

what do you mean? i lived quite happily for years in china without a pair of fancy chopsticks. it's a lovely gift idea, sure. i just dont get what you mean.

for books, i highly recommend peter hessler--river town and oracle bones. both amazing books about china. you might also check out the man who loved china by simon winchester.

When is your friend going to SHA? How about a Chinese Course? Prepare well by learning some basic Chinese & Chinese Culture is very necessary! It could help him play easier there. I happen to be an experienced private Chinese tutor in Zurich. Welcome to contact me if you think that's a good idea.

If he is a gamer, how about a copy of any of the "dynasty warrior" series? It is a relatively stupid games based on the biggest saga in Chinese literature. I played it and later on deeply impressed some older Chinese by knowing all the characters of the three kingdoms...

How about a groovie Swatch!They are no longer just plastic looking children's watches.he'll fondly remember zurich everytime he looks at it.eek-china...lived there for a while...maybe some swiss chokkie-good luck!

I tried to do it with a German toddler and Fedex came down on me like a ton of bricks!! Turns out it's illegal to post people to China.

I think he OP found what he was looking for

Damn, just when I got the perfect idea: How about an outfit that makes it easier to blend in right from the start?

Speaking of Shanghai (on a lighter side of your friendship)...you can gift him an air-filter mask or a water purifier or a package of health insurance instead

On a serious note, you can gift him a 'Laughing Buddha' (a very Chinese belief). Its believed to bring luck and prosperity (he would definitely need that there).



Cheers

I read this one: http://www.amazon.com/Shanghai-Baby-...7699949&sr=8-1

Fully deserves its 2.5 stars...

Blimey, where did you all come from!

Summerrain, Treverus, Christacorn - thanks for the book suggestions - the phrasebook is a very good idea, wish I'd thought of it. His German's not so great, so it needed to be in French or English really, but your suggestions for travel books/guides to Chinese culture are great and I will pass on to his "real" colleagues in his office who are collecting for him this week. Not sure if he's a gamer, but that's a good idea for absorbing some culture maybe - probably safer than the outfit...

Carol.jin - he's off there on Friday I'm afraid (Trev, he'll be tied up with lucky red ribbon, so no trouble with Customs), so unless you offer a one-day mind-meld service over the internet, there probably isn't time - but I do appreciate the offer and the thought, thank you.

Swissdom - thanks, I did actually think about a buddha, I'd googled Chinese good luck charms and had some ideas. If I hadn't hit on the Wallpaper guide my next question to the forum was going to be, do you know any Chinese shops in Basel. A google search returned only restaurants, no Chinatown down the road any more... (I moved from Manchester last year). But if anyone does know, for future reference... ?

To all, I did indeed find something for him last week (the French edition of the Wallpaper guide to Shanghai, I had to get a wiggle on as I wasn't sure I'd see him this week), and he was very pleased with it, but your answers are great, and I'm sure he won't be the last heading off there, so keep posting!

Thanks!

PS I'm a 'she'