someone’s house for the first time, you bring them a gift. This is something you do

帶手信(禮物)是一種習俗. 這是你要做的事

for example if you were going to stay with a host family. A lot of people will bring

例如, 你要住在寄宿家庭. 很多人都會帶

extra gifts when they come to visit just in case they get invited to someone else’s

額外的禮物去拜訪, 預防被邀請去其他人的

house or something like that. And if you're going to be in Japan for an extended period

家或之類的. 還有如果你要廷長留在日本的時間的話

of time, not just for a short visit, then that's something you might want to consider

若只是短期逗留, 那這將會是你想要考慮

doing, too. There’s all kinds of advice online about

在網上有各種各樣的提議

what kind of gifts you should give to Japanese people, but I decided to settle things the

關於應該帶什麼禮物給日本人, 但我決定用我喜歡的方法去解決

way I like to do them: with numbers and charts! So back last April I asked our Japanese viewers

用數字和圖表!回到四月份的時候,我問了一些我們的日本觀眾

what they would like foreigners to bring as gifts, and today I'm going to go over their

他們會喜歡外國人帶什麼禮物給他們. 今天我會發佈他們的回應

responses. There were 50 valid responses and since this wasn’t a poll or anything where

總共有50 個有效的回應, 由於這不是一個以選票形式進行的調查

people could select one certain answer, some people recommended multiple things, other

也沒有提供特定答案, 所以有人推薦了好幾樣禮物

people recommended nothing, so the numbers we give you are going to be the number of

還有人推薦不送東西,所以我們提供的數據將會是

people who just came up with it on their own out of 50.

他們給予的提議總計為50項

As you can see, 27 people recommended food, 14 recommended a small decorative item, and

如你所見, 27人推薦食物14人推薦細小的飾物

11 recommended pictures! And I'm going to explain exactly what all of that means. Most

11人推薦圖片我將會講解他們是什麼意思.

other things were single comment suggestions. Also, aside from these categories, 34 people

很多其他的東西都是單一的推薦. 在以上的類別外還有34 人

went out of their way to mention that they would like something specific from your country.

沒有說想要什麼而是說希望得到來自你所在國家的禮物

The Number 1 answer with 27 people recommending it was food or snacks! And more specifically,

第一位的是27 人推薦的食物和零食, 更準確來說是

food from your own country that you can’t really get in Japan. So what can you get in

來自你所在的國家的食物, 一些在日本沒有的那你可以帶什麼去日本呢

Japan? Most major international food brands, actually. So instead of hitting up Wal-Mart

大部分的國際牌子 例如比起去Wal-Mart(沃爾馬)

for snacks, why don't you try going to a smaller, specialized store. Something specific to your

買零食的話,為什麼不試試去比較細的,專買零食的店一些你國家獨有的

country is the best. So for example, if your country has a lot of good chocolate, or maple

會是最好的例如, 如果你來自一個聞名於朱古力的國家,或者

syrup. Those would be good gifts to bring. And unique items are good, too! If you're

楓樹糖漿. 這會是很好的禮物獨一無二的東西也是很好的如果你是來自

from Australia and you have alligator jerky, that'd kinda be a cool gift to bring!

澳大利亞,而你有鱷魚肉乾(alligator jerky), 這會是滿酷的禮物.

Two people went out of their way to mention that the packaging on something is important,

有兩人提及包裝是非常重要的

so if you can find something that's packed in a cute little box, maybe with a bow or

若你能找到一些放在一個可愛的小盒子裡的,或連有蝴蝶結的

something like that, that'd be a really good idea.

就像這樣的,這會是個很好的主意

So for example, Jun and I recently received this box of chocolates from France. It's super

例如,Jun和我最收到一盒來自法國的朱古力.非常

cute; it's got a little bow on it. This would be a really good souvenir gift!

的可愛. 有一個小小的蝴蝶結在上面這會是一份非常好的手信

Six other people actually recommended against bringing food or snacks because they said

其他六人其實反對帶食物或零食, 因為

that tastes differ too much in Japan and they're worried they wouldn't like it. But, a total

在日本有口味上的差異, 所以會擔心他們可能會不喜歡但總共有

of nine people said they'd be happy with absolutely anything and it's really the thought that

九人說他會樂意收到任何東西(種類的食物)而這是多算的想法

counts. I personally think bringing food is a good idea and that's usually what I bring

我個人應為帶食物是個主意還有這是我通常會帶來的東西

because that's kind of the easiest thing to find as a gift. If you really want to find

因為這是最容易帶的禮物若你希望找一些

something that you think will suit Japanese taste buds, then I would stay away from the

合日本人口味的, 那我會提議別

really brightly colored things or things with really strong flavors. Maybe stick to subtle,

買顏色鮮艷的,或味道很重的. 或者找味道清淡,雅緻的

refined flavors. I know that sounds kind of stupid, but that's really the best way that

我知道這樣好像有點笨,但這會是最好的方法

I would be able to explain it.

而我也能解釋

Chocolates are always good. It's a really easy gift. I would just try to stay away from

朱古力總是最好的選擇是一份簡易的禮物, 最好別買美國的

American crap chocolates. Don't bring them a Hershey's bar or something.

糟糕朱古力. 也不要買一排好時(Hershey)之類的

And if you get the opportunity and have the ingredients, you can also always try making

若你有機會和村材料的話,你可以嘗試

a meal for them from your country.

為他們煮一餐你國家的菜.

The next biggest recommendation with 14 suggestions out of 50 is a small decorative item! What

下一個多數的推薦有14人以50人的總計, 就是細小的飾物

is a small decorative item, and why do people want it? Some people prefer to have something

什麼是細小的裝飾物,和為什麼大家會想要呢有些人比較喜歡要一些

that lasts rather than something they'll just eat and throw away, like with food. And why

留存得下的東西, 相比於食完就弄掉的,例如食物而為什麼要細呢

small? Because a lot of the places here are really small and they don't have a lot of

因為這裡的房子多數都非常細,還有他們不希望用太多的空間

room to stash a whole bunch of junk. Not that what you're bringing would be junk. But they

去收藏一大堆廢物. 不是指你帶來的東西會是廢物. 而是他們

don't have room for it. A small decorative item would probably be something that's representative

沒有空間去存放. 一件細小的裝飾品可能是具有代表

of your country or state or city, and it's something that the recipient can put on display

你國家,洲份,城市 , 而那是一份接受者可以作為飾物或

and look at later and remember all the fun times they spent with you! For example, I

之後看著會想起和你一起經歷的愉快時光例如

have a couple things I can show you. I have this hand-carved camel from Tunisia. [Tunisia

我有好幾樣東西給你看我有這隻來自突尼斯的手雕駱駝

camel!] And I have this decorative coin from Dubai, and I have this glass dagger from Afghanistan.

還有這來自杜拜裝飾用的硬幣還有這來自阿富汗的玻璃匕首

From Russia, you could bring a matryoshka doll, or a little statue of St. Basil’s

如果你來自俄羅斯的話可以帶俄羅斯的套娃，或者聖巴西爾大教堂的小雕象

Cathedral. From Australia you could bring a little figure of the Sydney opera house,

澳大利亞的話可以帶悉尼歌劇院的小模型

or you could bring a little kangaroo or koala bear figure.

或者小袋鼠或樹熊的模型

Something hand-made is completely fine, and in a lot of cases it can make the item seem

手製品完全沒問題，而且也可以令禮物

cooler or more collectible. And actually, 11 people mentioned that they wouldn’t mind

顯得酷點和有收藏價值11個人表示不介意

having something hand-made.

收手製品

And the third most common suggestion with 11 votes is pictures, a picture book, a calendar,

第三位的推薦是有11 位投的圖片，可以是相集，月曆

or even a postcard. Something from your country or hometown. Tell stories about what it's

或者 明信片。一些來自你的國家或家鄉的東西告設他們有關你家鄉的

like living in your hometown. That’s one of the most interesting parts of meeting someone

故事這是認識來自不同文化的人最有趣的部份

from another culture, right? You want to know about them and see what it’s like living

對不！？你希望認識他們和知道在他們那邊有怎麼

on their side of the world!

樣的生活

In general, think about who you’re bringing gifts for. Typically you only give gifts to

基本上，只要想想你是要帶禮物給誰通常你只會給禮物給人

people if they do something generous for you or for example if they invite you over to

當他們為你做了一些非常棒的事，例如邀請你去

their home for like a meal. If you’re just visiting Japan for two weeks and you don’t

他們家食一餐飯如果你只是去日本兩星期的話，而你沒有

have plans to meet anyone, you don’t need to bring anything at all. If you’re going

見其他人的打算，那你可以不用帶禮物也行如果你是去

to be studying abroad but you’re not going to be home staying, you still might want to

讀書但不打算住在寄宿家庭，你可能有需要考慮

consider bringing something just in case you happen to meet someone. If you are home staying,

帶一些禮物過去，若萬一你要去見某人。如果你是住在寄宿家庭

then get to know who's in your host family. If you don't know what to bring for them,

那就要知道有誰在你的寄宿家庭裡如果你不知道要帶什麼給他們的話

you can always ask. But gifts that are age or station appropriate are always good, so

你總可以問的。但合年齡和情況的禮物通常都會比較好

for example if your host family has a teenager daughter, then you could bring her a necklace

例如 如果你的寄宿家庭有一個年青的女兒的話，那你可以買來自仔國家的頸鍊或者

or bracelet from your country. By the way, it’s not uncommon for Japanese women not

手鍊給她。順便說說，對日本女人來說沒穿耳不是罕見的事

to have pierced ears, so if you don’t know then I would not bring earrings. If your host

所以如果你不知道最好不要買耳環給她們如果你的寄宿

family has a housewife and you know she does a lot of cooking, then you can always bring

家庭裡有家庭主婦的話而你又知道她經常烹飪的話，那你總可以帶

her something for the kitchen. I know how sexist that sounds but really, it's okay.

她能在廚房用得了的東西我知道這帶有性別歧視的感覺，但真的可以的

Jun brought back a can opener from America, because he was literally using one of those

Jun 由美國帶了個開瓶器回來，因為他會用

old stabby can openers to open Leo’s food. And I mean, think about it. If you’re cooking

這種舊式的開瓶器去開Leo的罐頭我的意思是你想想。當你會每天都煮

every single day, would you rather use this boring old spatula, or would you rather use

東西的時候，你會比較想用一個無聊又舊的鏟還是

this spatula I got from France.

這個來自法國的！？

Okay, and now for some gifts you shouldn’t bring. Meats, plant seeds, drugs, because

好，那現在到一些你不應該帶的禮物肉，種子，毒品，因為

all of those are illegal to take across international borders and you probably won’t even get

這些全都是犯法的若你帶著過境的話，你更可能不可能帶著那些東西通過機場的海關

them through the airport. Also, drugs are just illegal, period.

還有總之毒品就是不可以帶過境的

Keep in mind that for ALL gifts, do not bring anything that's too expensive because they're

要記得所有你帶的禮物都不要太過昂貴，因為

going to feel uncomfortable accepting it and then they're going to feel pressured to reciprocate

他們會覺得不好意思收太昂貴的禮物，之後他們就會有要回禮的壓力

it. I mean, if you have something really cool at the dollar store in your country, then

我的意思是，如果在你國家的十元店有很酷的東西，就連那些

even that is fine. I’d say a good, safe gift is maybe anywhere from $5-$20, or whatever

東西都已經可以了如果要說的話，一份禮物大約5-20(美金），或在你國家

the purchasing power equivalent of that amount is in your country. If you’re bringing something

買相等量的東西就可以了如果要你買東西給你的

for your boss, or if someone really went out of their way to help you a lot, then you can

老闆，或真的幫了你很多的人，那你就可以帶一些

bring something that's a little more expensive. But don’t put yourself out about it and

比較貴重的東西給他們不要買超出自己能負擔的，

don't spend outside of your means. No one wants you to get stressed out just thinking

沒有人想你因為買禮物而感到有壓力

about a gift. It's really okay, even if you can't come with anything at all. And if after

真的不會有問題若你什麼都不帶來如果看完以上的推薦都

all these suggestions you still can't come up with something, I usually default to Ferrero

想不到可以帶什麼禮物的話，我通常都會帶Ferrero Rocher （金莎）

Rocher chocolates. That totally sounds like I’m plugging a product, but I’m not. You

朱古力。這聽著好像我在推鎖，但我不是

CAN get them here in Japan, too, but they're just delicious and everyone loves them. I

而且你可以在日本買到，但金莎真的很好味而每個人都會喜歡

think that's an all right gift to five. And Ferrero Rocher, you should totally like pay

我想這是一份可以作為禮物的禮物還有金莎就是現在買給我吧

me now, or... send me some chocolates.

或寄一些朱古力給我

When you do hand someone a gift, wait until you get seated in their home and then present

當你要給某人禮物時，等到你坐好在他們的家裡

it to them and say, “つまらないものですが” which means, “This is really boring but

之後才給他們，然後說， 'つまらないものですが’ ，這句的意思是'只是點小禮物但也請你收下吧'

here you go.” Or if you can't remember that, you can just say, “おみやげです”

或者你記不了那句，你也可以說 "おみやげです"　

which means, “This is a souvenir.” Or if you can't speak Japanese at all, you can

這句的意思是"這是一份手信"又或者你完全不會說日文，你可以

just say, "Here! Gift!" プレゼントです。

只說 "這是禮物！"（here！gift！）

And that’s it! But BEWARE, one word of caution. You can get locked into lifelong gift giving

那就到這裡但記得！你可能會卷入一場一輩子長的

battles with people. Jun's aunt and my grandma are in a gift giving battle. They’ve never

送禮戰。Jun的姨姨和我的嫲嫲正在一場送禮戰爭中。她們從沒有見過面

met. I don’t even remember how they started giving each other gifts, but every time I

連我都不記得這場戰爭是怎樣開始的，但每次我

get off the plane in one or the other country I have a gift for one of them. They're on

離開一個地方的時候，我都會有一份給她們的禮物。

round 4 of a 4 year gift giving battle now.

她們正在第四年的第四回合的戰爭中

Anyway, I hope this was all helpful and you feel less stressed out about giving gifts

怎樣都好，我希望這對你們來說會有幫助，也可以減少因為要買禮物而感到有壓力的機會

now. If you do have experiences with giving gifts, maybe you can tell us about it in the

如果你有送禮物的經歷，你可以在留言處告訴我們

comments so other people can read about them and see how things went for you. And thank

那其他人也可以看到，知道事情經過是怎樣的還有就是

you for watching! I'll see you guys later!

多謝觀看！那遲點見！