Poll: Do you send gifts to your best clients at the end of the year? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you send gifts to your best clients at the end of the year?".
This poll was originally submitted by Nicole Blanc. View the poll results »
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neilmac 
Spain
Local time: 13:50
Spanish to English
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I don't really think it's "the done thing" in the country/culture where I work. Them giving me gifts would be more appropriate IMHO.... Although that never happens either, unless you count the odd calendar some company clients might send out.
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Teresa Borges
Portugal
Local time: 12:50
 Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
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I would never dream of sending gifts to any client. I will add a 'Happy New Year' to the first email I send to clients in the beginning of 2016.
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But every year I say to myself that I should at least send something typical from here to the agency who always sends me a box of chocolates...
And the chocolates are quite good on top of that.
I find their attention very civilised.
Philippe
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Yetta J Bogarde
Denmark
Local time: 13:50
 Member (2012)
English to Danish
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Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 20:50
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| This poll always comes around about this time of year | Dec 23, 2015 |
No. Not any more
It's now regarded as 'largesse' here now in Japan.
But, in past years, this has made my customers remember moi in a more favorable light, which has helped a lot. With the economy this bad, I wish a few little sweeteners could grease the tracks. 
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Anthony Baldwin
United States
Local time: 07:50
Portuguese to English
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1 agency sent me a mousepad, displaying a list of shortcuts for their online CAT tool, but otherwise,
there has been no exchange of gifts with clients, no.
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 13:50
Member (2006)
German to English
if I remeber / have time to send them away in time.
I have completely messed up sending the cards this year because I was really busy and cards arriving when they get back to work is a bit of a no-go.
A couple of years ago, I started to send fellow translators and good customers diaries and pens that I had printed with my contact details, etc. which were always well accepted.
As long as things do not get out of hand, why not? Nothing wrong with being "nice" to others.
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| I send out end-of-year e-cards | Dec 23, 2015 |
to clients for whom I worked this year — providing they paid, and providing I want to work with them again.
Presents in this case are reserved for the office cleaning lady, the IT guy, the post office — the people we need to thank. There are not that many of them so I make a few batches of cookies.
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Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 08:50
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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| No. It wouldn't be reciprocal. | Dec 23, 2015 |
No, and I never received anything but x-mas cards.
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Mario Chavez
Local time: 07:50
English to Spanish
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| End-of-year gifts | Dec 23, 2015 |
Hmm. Unexpected and interesting replies from my peers here. Teresa Borges' never statements always make me smile and chuckle.
I always thought that sending cards of any kind (christmas, new year, birthday, etc.) was a sign of civility and kindness first, networking and reciprocity second.
I never liked e-cards because they're so ephemeral. A quick phone call leaves at least a human trace.
I can't say I ever sent gifts to any of my clients. Maybe promotional ones (in the distant past). But yes, I've sent holiday cards on and off through the years. Knowing a client's birthday is a powerful reminder to do business with you again, but I don't send the birthday card with the intent to get work. Like I said before: civility and kindness first, networking and reciprocity second.
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| I will send one gift this year! | Dec 23, 2015 |
Mario Chavez wrote:
civility and kindness first, networking and reciprocity second.
My favorite PM is leaving the company and I will certainly send her a well-deserved 'thank you' gift.
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