Every time I return from a business trip, I used to come back with neatly wrapped cookies, chocolates, or keychains, in most of the time, from the airport. I thought It was a nice gesture — but honestly, I’ve stopped doing it.
Not because I don’t appreciate my coworkers. In fact, it’s the opposite. I just think there are better ways to show it.
The souvenir trap
Buying souvenirs sounds simple until you’ve done it many times. After a long trip, when all you want is a shower and sleep, you find yourself wandering through a duty-free shop trying to guess who likes which flavor of mochi or cookie. You pack them carefully, haul them home, distribute them around the office… and within minutes, they’re gone.
And everyone says “thank you,” but let’s be honest — the gesture is polite, not heartfelt. It’s something we all do because it’s expected.
From my own experience, I hardly feel any real connection or appreciation when I bring back souvenirs. People smile and say thanks, but it ends there. That’s why I think it’s mostly a waste of time and energy. On the other hand, when I help my coworkers or my supervisor — covering their tasks, sharing ideas, or supporting their projects — I can genuinely feel their appreciation. And that feeling lasts much longer.
What coworkers actually value
When I think about what really builds trust at work, it’s not a box of chocolates. It’s when someone helps you finish a report before a deadline. It’s when they share a useful contact, fix a bug, or step in when you’re overloaded.
Those moments of support leave a lasting impression — far longer than any snack ever could. They show respect not just for people, but for their time and effort.
Redefining “omiyage”
In Japan, omiyage — bringing a small gift back from a trip — is a deeply rooted tradition. It’s about showing thoughtfulness and maintaining harmony in a group. I actually like that spirit. But I think we can reinterpret it for modern work life.
Today, maybe the most meaningful “omiyage” is not something we carry in our suitcase, but something we do: sharing our experience, helping others with what we learned, or taking a bit of their load so their day gets easier.
That’s real teamwork. That’s a souvenir that matters.
A small experiment
Next time you come back from a trip, skip the snacks. Instead, offer to help a coworker who covered for you while you were away. Or share a short note about what you learned on your trip that could benefit the team.
Chances are, that gesture will be remembered far longer than a bag of airport cookies.
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