Until yesterday, I had not realised that Teachers’ Day in Singapore has become SO commercialised & the whole business of gift presentation has been instituted in schools of ALL levels.
GOSH.
From what I’ve seen, major shopping centres were selling a wide variety of gifts for teachers and business was brisk. Does this actually reflect how much more teachers are valued today? Or is this merely a case of retailers playing up the sentiments and capitalising on the occasion? Just like Valentine’s Day or X’mas Day?
As I looked at the youngsters and parents snapping up the presents, I couldn’t help but ponder about their true motivations. Did they enjoy buying the gifts or was it just a necessity to pay homage? And really, why was I also joining the herd in this mad rush despite snubbing about this deference to teachers?
As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, then join them. HA. Unbelievable for someone who is not used to conforming to social conventions. But believe me, when you become a parent, and if you care enough, you’ll discard your principles for the sake of your child’s well-being. Really one.
Anyway, I was determined to get something below $5 including ready made cards. El cheapo? Look, I’m not going to blow a hole in my pocket for teachers’ sake! It’s the thought that counts and realistically, students of Gavin’s age have NO money.
So in the end, after checking out the array of meaningless souvenirs, I bought three boxes of Lipton’s earl gray tea instead. Practical and I think somewhat refine. I didn’t think impressing was an important criteria in selecting for gifts but my husband thought otherwise.
“I think his teachers will be unimpressed with his gift,” he started.
“And then? So what?” I answered.
“What if they start to pinch boy?” he suggested, matter-of-factly.
I looked at him incredulously and retorted:
“THEN THEY’RE NOT FIT TO BE TEACHERS!”
good one! u realized this too? but i mean, its not only teachers’ day. what abt valentines day, CNY, christmas etc? dont all these festivals reek of commercialism with a capital C? this clearly doesnt mean teachers are more valued these days. if a man spends a bomb on the valentines dinner…candlelight dinner, flowers, chocolates, does that mean he value his girl more? i don’t think so. u get the point…
and yes, earl grey tea are such suitable gifts, i agree with u! im a practical person too. its the thought that counts. oh by the way, i see you’ve linked me up =) its great, thx! i’ve done the same too.
Evan: Actually I wanted to link you up earlier cos I enjoy visiting your pretty blog. But er, the banner did take a while to load. So I subscribed your blog under my bloglines instead. But now that you’ve moved to blogspot, and no more banners, so…
Comment by Evan — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 12:55 pm
Haha… I just read a few teachers’ blogs and they have voiced their doubts about students who showed their affection in the form of gifts, flowers and cards; they wondered how much of such affection is real or is everyone just doing it for the sake of getting it done!
DR: If I were them, I’ll ask the same. It’s meaningless really… I would appreciate cards, but no need to spend on the gifts. Or at least the value of the gifts shouldn’t scare the teachers.
Comment by domestic rat — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 1:05 pm
oh ok, thats sweet of u thx =)
by the way, i tagged u for a meme. see if you’d like to do it. pls see my blog for more details!
Comment by Evan — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 2:31 pm
tea….that is so interesting..think Gavin’s teacher will appreicate it lar, nothing beats a nice cuppa of tea after a long day’s work….
Errr…what made you hubby think that if the teachers were unimpressed with the gift, they will start to pinch your boy huh? a bit weird leh….don’t think any teacher would do that right but they do, then you are right..THEY ARE NOT FIT TO BE TEACHERS!!!
Jan: My hubby likes to make the most unlikely remarks. He said it to scare me lah…
Comment by Jan (My lovely Rays) — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 3:08 pm
I strongly believe is the thoughts that count more impt than anything else.
Comment by Ashes — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 7:51 pm
I think your gift is very thoughtful and your hubby, he so funny! How would the teacher pinch her student for an unimpressive gift?
Comment by wtpgrr — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 8:08 pm
“Practical and I think somewhat refine.”
I agree with your choice of gift. Food is always appreciated and appropriate.
Our school system banned all teacher gift giving so that those with less money wouldn’t feel the need to “waste” it on gifts. I like that approach. Kind words of appreciation mean the most.
Comment by ally bean — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 8:19 pm
Hey..SS,
but i’ve seen teachers in my days.. where expensive gifts did buy priviledges for their kids. I used to go to school with a judge’s daughter.. and boy were they “not so smart” .. but the teachers are great to them.. just because their father was a judge.. on top of it.. they always bring gifts of food.. and others to the teachers. It was really sad.. to see.. but maybe at that time.. the teachers weren’t paid alot..??
If i were a teacher.. i would definitely appreciate the earl grey..
MB: Let’s just say teachers are also humans and most humans are guided by their prejudice and preferences.
Comment by Mama Bok — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 @ 8:50 pm
WOw, it’s so nice to be teachers these days eh?
It might be a small gift but it’s the thought that counts right? 
Comment by Erika — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 2:07 am
Very thoughtful gift indeed!
I bought chocolates for Damien’s teachers and made 3 cards. (i do the writing, he do the drawing and coloring and writing of his name) Really, i never thought i would bother to do all this for my kid’s teachers until now…
Eileen: Granted, I was quite happy to prepare the gifts and got Gavin to write the names, well wishes, etc. Only because all his three teachers are quite good. But I won’t handmade the cards lor…just get ready made ones.
Comment by Eileen — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 9:53 am
Wow.. so commercialised one hor?
But I think what you gave was really practical.
I was a teacher once teaching Primary 1. The things I got for teacher’s day can be really junk. I mean how many wind chimes with different cartoon character set does a teacher need? Or little doggie figurines etc..
I would prefer food stuff!
But then.. I only taught 1 year, and was quite greatful of the gifts.. it’s just after the fact I thought, boy, what am I going to do with all these?
ZM: I thought those things would be useless for adults. Food or stuff they can use would be more practical. But chocolates could be unsuitable for one of the older teachers. So decided to just get tea, which I suppose is quite safe.
Comment by zara's mama — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 11:58 am
Goodness gracious. I’ve never heard of gift giving days for Teachers.
But tea is great. Throw in a mug so your son doesn’t get pinched.
Irene: Aiyoh. Die lah. No mugs and now already school holiday. Too late…
Comment by Irene — Fri, 1 Sep 2006 @ 2:02 pm
I always told my students that the best gift they can give me everyday (no need to wait till Teacher’s Day lah) is to love my subjects, and realise the importance of mastering them. Language for life…. not just for the O levels. Language as a way of life…. how to say no in a very pleasant way, how to let language sharpen their thoughts for as a man thinketh so will he be…how to use language for creative thinking, etc. etc.
Comment by ganchau — Sun, 3 Sep 2006 @ 10:08 am
Further to my previous entry, please note I use the verb “told” because I am now no longer a teacher.
Comment by ganchau — Sun, 3 Sep 2006 @ 10:09 am
During my papa’s time, there was no such thing as “Teachers’ Day”. Also when I was a student. Now it is so commercialised and who loves it better than the shopkeepers!!!
Comment by ganchau — Sun, 3 Sep 2006 @ 10:12 am
I like your blog, Sesame. Also my international blogger buddies from Australia and England. Yours is a happy, cheerful, juicy, tasty, blog…. even asking readers to leave our ingredients. Very creative.
As a treat, would like to introduce you my Penang Char Koay Teow which you can find in our food blog http://ieatthereforeiam.blogspot.com
I used to cook for my students and colleagues when I was a teacher…. now I cook for my collegagues in my real estate company when we have breakfast meetings and toast master activities.
Wish there are 48 hours a day, with extra hours for cooking every day lah!!!
Bon appetit! Buon appetito!! Makan sedap!!!
Comment by ganchau — Mon, 4 Sep 2006 @ 2:49 pm