Coffee and tea are so much more normal than perfume or chocolate that I can’t even. I’ve gotten coffee from a coworker before, and appreciated it. I could imagine giving tea to one if I knew they liked that. It’s safe, professional, and a crowd pleaser.
I wouldn’t even hazard a gift of perfume to my wife without some careful research first—too many ways it can be construed as “you smell” unless there is some sort of precedent such as knowing what she already wears.
This post has been gold. Thanks for sharing your struggles with us.
fastandcurious@lemmy.world 4 months ago
I have a feeling that I am even worse than ‘naive’ when it comes to this sort of stuff, thank god I decided to ask here before doing something stupid, but then again there was no other option anyway
WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 months ago
A basic rule for professional gifts is to avoid anything that goes on the body, or anything with an effect that could be construed as “sensual”. By sensual I mean overly enticing to the senses—such as chocolate, perfume, or silk. It implies that you are seeking to make their body feel something, and as you get older, that is often equated with eroticism. Looking at commercials for the product helps too—chocolate commercials equate chocolate with sex almost every time.
People can be picky about food, or may have intolerances, so that is risky. Coffee and tea are associated with productivity, which is why they are professional to give.
If you have any female friends, they can be a helpful guide when trying to navigate how another woman might react to something. Good luck soldier! It’s hard out there.