dojo party, what should i bring?

[turboyoshi]

So my dojo (GKA) is having a party at an oyster/seafood bar this Saturday. If I heard correctly, it's a New Year's celebration (?)

I'm not sure if I should go because I've only been with this dojo since Sept but if I do go, should I bring gifts or something for the sensei? What's appropriate protocol for a New Year's party? Most or all the higher ranks are Japanese I think and I'm not so, I don't know if that matters. I don't want to be rude, but I'm not socially adept so I need extra guidance on doing the right thing. :alien:

onegai shimasu! :)

sean

[JoonShik]

So my dojo (GKA) is having a party at an oyster/seafood bar this Saturday. If I heard correctly, it's a New Year's celebration (?)

I'm not sure if I should go because I've only been with this dojo since Sept but if I do go, should I bring gifts or something for the sensei? What's appropriate protocol for a New Year's party? Most or all the higher ranks are Japanese I think and I'm not so, I don't know if that matters. I don't want to be rude, but I'm not socially adept so I need extra guidance on doing the right thing. :alien:

onegai shimasu! :)

sean
New years party? It's been a month already.

[turboyoshi]

New years party? It's been a month already.

That's what I think I heard. I'm half deaf though so, it could be anything, I guess.

sean

[Martino]

Best gift you can bring is commitment at trainings. (well to me anyway)

I guess it really depends on the club. My sensei dose not expect gifts, yet at the same token he has taken the opportunity to occasinaly present gifts to club exectutive.

Usually though it is a chance to catch up/get to know other clubs members. Been nieve is not always a bad thing and may lead to some ammusing mistakes.

It is a good chance to break the ice and get to know the big wigs.

P.S. If you really keen on bringing something some alchole usually goes down nicely

[Martino]

New years party? It's been a month already.

Chinese New Year,
blame the moon

[JoonShik]

Chinese New Year,
blame the moon
Ah, that would make perfect sense. Geez, why does the moon have to be non-consistent?

[ZealUK]

I think you should forget about gift giving. You (probably) aren't Japanese and you don't live in Japan, so no need to worry about it. If someone comes to visit you for a seminar or something, it might be nice to get them something as a group, but that's kind of normal in Western culture as well.

I gave oseibo out to a few people this new year, but I have a quite close relationship with them, and they helped me out a lot in the past year. Frankly gift giving and the like is a pain in the arse in Japan.

[Spendius]

P.S. If you really keen on bringing something some alchole usually goes down nicely


This is my personal advice: http://www.ychilli.com/

[Shazzanzzz]

when you're at the party. Say to any chinese people:
"gon xi fa cai, hong bao na lai"

[Manuka]

Dojo party - a bottle of sake, for real brownie points ... 2 bottles

[absenteekendoka]

the answer is simple....simply bring a big can o tsuki!!!! And a side of kiai!!! :)

Wonder if anyone would want seconds?

[Kenzan]

So my dojo (GKA) is having a party at an oyster/seafood bar this Saturday. If I heard correctly, it's a New Year's celebration (?)


My advice is avoid the raw Oysters at all costs.
:confused2

[sirius1906]

Chinese New Year,
blame the moon

I thought they they don't celebrate lunar new year in Japan.

yeah, alcohal usually works pretty good. :D

[sirius1906]

My advice is avoid the raw Oysters at all costs.
:confused2

not a fan of raw stuff? more for me :D

[MikeW]

turboyoshi,
I didn't realize that GKA was having a party after the Saturday keiko. That's cool because I will be down there as well because of the SEUSKF board meeting that was re-scheduled for this Saturday and I always enjoy a good beer keiko afterwards (all the board members typically go to the GKA practice after the meeting).

As for your question to this thread... I don't know which sensei you train with but it's not really necessary to bring a gift for an event like this but if you do I would ask one of your senpai about it as they know your sensei in terms of likes/dislikes.

I would add that despite the amount of time you have been practicing with GKA I would definitely urge you to go to the party. Not only can you get to know your instructors and fellow students better, you can also sometimes get more in depth feedback about your own kendo and kendo in general.

[Kenzan]

not a fan of raw stuff? more for me :D

Oh, I'm a HUGE fan of raw.
In fact, if I can catch 'em and eat 'em within seconds of each other, all's the better.
I'm just not a fan of:

NoroVirus
and
Vibrio vulnificus

Mainly because I like living, -and also not spending hours shooting half my body mass out the front and the back of me.
But that's just moi.
:confused2

[ccheck5]

i just quick to sushi. oh there is this one place in new work that cuts up a live lobster and gives it to you raw with the head still moving

[turboyoshi]

Thanks all. Since the party is being held in a restaurant, I'm guessing they don't expect us to bring our own alcohol. Nice idea though. :)

Not a fan of raw food. Cook it 'til it crunches, thanks much.
Ah well there's sure to be beer.

sean

[sirius1906]

Oh, I'm a HUGE fan of raw.
In fact, if I can catch 'em and eat 'em within seconds of each other, all's the better.
I'm just not a fan of:

NoroVirus
and
Vibrio vulnificus

Mainly because I like living, -and also not spending hours shooting half my body mass out the front and the back of me.
But that's just moi.
:confused2

Yikes! I guess I have been lucky, haven't gotten sick from raw oyster, knock on wood. I prefer raw clams over oyster though. raw crab (korean style) is also good, uni is the best! :D_ i am drooling.