Excelsior! Academy Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 (edited) A Vietnamese family moved in across the street and our kiddos play together often. They made our family egg rolls and had their daughter send them over. They were amazing! I want to thank them and possibly reciprocate. What is the appropriate way to do this? Edited for embarrassing mistake. My daughter just corrected me. Edited April 3, 2017 by Excelsior! Academy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 I would assume that Thai culture would be similar to other Asian cultures. Just send something else over that you make. Chocolate chip cookies or banana bread or something. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 I saw your edit Same answer though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 I would assume that Thai culture would be similar to other Asian cultures. Just send something else over that you make. Chocolate chip cookies or banana bread or something. What would be the appropriate time frame? Should I make cookies today or would it be better to wait for a few days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bensmom Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 I think it is a very nice gesture to give them a homeade treat in return, but there is no rush to have to do it right away. In fact, if I were the giver, I might worry that my gift made you feel pressured to hurry and return the gesture. Waiting a few days seems fine. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 What would be the appropriate time frame? Should I make cookies today or would it be better to wait for a few days? Do what is most convenient. I would probably wait a couple of days simply because you don't want them to feel like you rushed to the oven to reciprocate. It can set up a dynamic where each party has to repay the debt. But if you do it more in a spirit of "thank you so much for sharing your culture with us. We were making some cookies / quick bread and we wanted to share our culture with you" then it shouldn't set up that sort of obligatory gift giving thing. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 What would be the appropriate time frame? Should I make cookies today or would it be better to wait for a few days? I'll wait a few days else it feels like you reciprocate because you feel obliged to. My husband's Vietnamese colleagues regularly bring food to office for colleagues and their families . We have been gifted with limes, persimmons and various other food. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 (edited) I am in an almost comical exchange now with my Indian neighbors - when they have a huge meal (the Dad loves to grill) we get plates of lovely spicy Indian food. I send over homemade baked goods or cookies - but only the kids are allowed to eat them since my kitchen is not halal and the adults are very devout. If your new neighbors are recent immigrants, a sampling of American food would be a fun item to send over. But I agree wait a few days. Right now my neighbor and I basically tag each other "you're it!" as we try to outdo each other :-) Edited April 3, 2017 by JFSinIL 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 A thank you note with any little food gift would be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 My son is 1/2 Vietnamese. i would wait to reciprocate. Maybe 4th of July, if your family grills. Send them over a slab of ribs, or a brisket. If not July 4th, Thanksgiving with a smoked/roasted turkey., or a baked ham at Thanksgiving. My in-laws really enjoy the American traditions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 I think if you reciprocated right away, it might even feel awkward for them! I'd send them a thank you note for now. Then, next time you have an extra batch of cookies, or something else, send a plateful over for them to taste. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 I would wait until the next time you make a big batch of something or make your specialty. They were just being neighborly. Telling them how much you enjoyed them is the only thing I'd worry about doing promptly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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