Boxes of Spam and cooking oil are piled up like mountains at the entrance of the supermarket. One international student saw this and thought, "Is this a warehouse sale?" and walked past with a laugh, they say. A few days later, on the way to a Korean friend's house to give Chuseok greetings, they went empty-handed. The friend's mother welcomed them with a smile, but all the other guests were holding boxes. Only then did they understand. Those boxes were the gifts. ## Why Spam and Cooking Oil, of All Things? In the old days in Korea, oil, sugar, and meat were hard to come by. So giving these things carried the message, "Eat well this year and stay healthy." They're common now, but the custom has stuck around. Also, everyone uses them and they don't spoil even if kept for a long time, so the person receiving them never ends up in an awkward spot. Shampoo and soap sets are popular for the same reason. ## A gift is less about the item than a sign that you 'thought of them' Holidays are a time to pay respects to the people we're grateful to. Parents, teachers, bosses, and neighbors are the recipients. In Korea, people believe a greeting you carry in your hand conveys your feelings better than a greeting made only with words. So what matters isn't the price, but the feeling of "they thought of me." ## What to do in these situations - If you're invited to someone's home, a small gift like fruit, snacks, or drinks is enough. Many of the items in the gift set section at the supermarket come already wrapped. - When you hand it over, use both hands and remove the price tag. - Some workplaces don't allow giving or receiving gifts. Ask about the company rules or check with your coworkers first.