What are your thoughts and considerations on bearing gifts? Why or why not? Who gets what types of gifts, and why? What do you carry?

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A few thoughts to get the discussion started:

• Don't plan for gifting people, but have enough on hand to be able to share with friendlies, and to be able to leave tokens of appreciation (carry an extra or other form of alcohol, an extra bottle of water, a pack of cigarettes, some extra pens and lighters (that you can let the user keep after using it), some snacks and candies
• Source en route - not at home. You will support local businesses and encounter new people.
• Don't give into to solicited gifts - we don't want to encourage touting - quid pro quo (something for something... it could be something simple as someone having put a smile on your face)
• Not all gifts to the police are conscidered bribes - not even when solicited (more on that later)
• Gifts received should be "earned" - through unselfish acts of kindness, and at a personal cost (nothing is free in this world, not even kindness)
• You can't fix much with gifts, but they can make things better
• A big gift dosn't allways do much more good than a small one. Sometimes a tiny gesture, with little cost to one self - can go a long way. Even the smallest token can make someone's hard day/week/year/decade, in an unfair world, just a little bit more bearable.
• Substantial gifts, that go beyond tokens of gratitide - robs the one that receives it of their pride and dignity. Be careful about giving such large gifts that the other can't reciprocate the feeling it brings... unless the other is in dire need and the purpose of your gift is humanitarian
• Something of little consequence to to you to part with, may be extreme for another to receive. If you go that route, make sure they truely understand your position to be able to bear such gift with no conesquence to you, or expectations of reciprocation. "...my mother owns the factory that makes them..."
• Gifts shared are better than gifts given
• You must not allways "win". Sometimes it is nice to allow the other to give more than they receive
• The world is an unfair place. More people than not are in greater need and deserve the things you have more than you - but it is your stuff, that you had the opportunity to earn, and which you took. Letting other people "earn" it from you happens at your discretion
• Giving a helping hand with something practical, inviting people to share food or drink, or in any other way giving people one´s own time and interest - those usually end up becoming the long lasting "gifts" that gets appreciated the most.
• As a traveller, getting to share something, is far more rewarding than simply giving someone something of monetary value and be on one's way.
• True generosity is giving something which holds great value by the person giving it. It might be a personal artifact or an important tool that holds low monitary value, but high personal value
• Symbolic gifts hold great value
• Pay fair price for goods and services, however much bargaining power you may have - don't exploit people in a difficult position
• Different going "rates" for locals and outsiders can sometimes be both fair and socially just

Are all solicited gifts by public officals bribes and corruption, and are there cases where you really should give in?

Many westereners see every act of "gifts" to public officials as corruption and greasing of palms. Sometimes it really is a matter of corruption and obuse of power - but often it is far less sinister than what we westerners think. In many places, a token of appeciation, and I really mean a token - is expected by both parties, and given with mutual delight.

Watching the locals, it can often be something simple like a cigarette, a single orange, a bottle of water, letting the person keep your pen or lighter after using it, a packet of gum... given to someone who provides security, leniency against a tyrranical and unjustly "big brother" the official represents, to someone who gives directions, provides you with the latest news on the conditions ahead... service given to you by someone who has stood roadside in the scorching sun all day - with months of owed backpay from their employer.

Watch the locals and do what they do. They sure as hell don't put a $100 bill in the documents they hand over at check points.


Your gifts
What are your ideas for gifts? What do you carry? Anything you wished you had carried? Do you carry merch as giveaways with your own brand on them? What types of products?

Any good gift stories to share?

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