Ok to send discretionary gifts or souvenirs to the IO?

[dakonej]

Just wondering if anyone has done this before: can you add a personal touch to your application by including a small souvenir or gift in the package hoping that the IO opening the envelope would receive it and keep it? I just wonder if it'd be advisable to do it? Would they throw it away? Or punish your indiscretion by sending your file to the dust bin?

I was thinking of things like postcards, keyholders, etc.

any idea?

 

[Kedeisha]

well the IO wouldnt get it cpc-m or vegerville gets your application 1st n NO it wouldnt be a good idea

 

[Baloo]

Just wondering if anyone has done this before: can you add a personal touch to your application by including a small souvenir or gift in the package hoping that the IO opening the envelope would receive it and keep it? I just wonder if it'd be advisable to do it? Would they throw it away? Or punish your indiscretion by sending your file to the dust bin?

I was thinking of things like postcards, keyholders, etc.

any idea?

It may be seen as a bribe, so maybe it is not a good idea.

 

[boasorte]

Just wondering if anyone has done this before: can you add a personal touch to your application by including a small souvenir or gift in the package hoping that the IO opening the envelope would receive it and keep it? I just wonder if it'd be advisable to do it? Would they throw it away? Or punish your indiscretion by sending your file to the dust bin?

I was thinking of things like postcards, keyholders, etc.

any idea?

DO NOT DO THAT!

 

[awor]

Bribing officials is definitely not a good idea!

 

[Alex121]

how about giving them something after u have been approved ??

 

[medellinguy]

giving something before, in between, or after being processed by a government official does seem like bribe. It is plain awkward. They are paid to do their jobs..it's like, would you send a gift to the office who goes over your tax applications? lol

 

[missmini]

noooooo in canada people don't do that....maybe they will get the wrong impression from the beginning thinking u could have done the same for ur marriage certificate, police clearance or who knows....just sent as it is and wait patiently ur turn

 

[scylla]

Yeah - I'm with everyone else. Horrid idea to give them anything either before or after.

 

[Boracay]

A great gift is an envelope full of cash. Best to do it in a dark alley in a predetermined spot

hahaha just joking.....yeah although you may have good intensions it may look like you re trying to bribe them
So I agree with the others, not a good idea.

However after the decision has been made, I don't see why not.

 

[rjessome]

Employees of the Canadian government are not allowed to accept gifts.

 

[Bangkokcanuck]

Employees of the Canadian government are not allowed to accept gifts.

You know in Thailand it is not even something they try to hide anything that has you dealing with any one in any kind of government position will go easier if you give them a "tip" or pay an "express fee" I have lost count of how many times while here I have been asked in a gov't office for said fees to make something happen faster or make something else go away... it's accepted that 30% of any contract dealing with a gov't agency is "scraped off the top" and they wonder why they continue to be a third world country...

 

[ditta]

It is a formal process which doesn`t need any personal touch. I find it kind of bizarre- even after the decision is made. Do not do it!

 

[rjessome]

You know in Thailand it is not even something they try to hide anything that has you dealing with any one in any kind of government position will go easier if you give them a "tip" or pay an "express fee" I have lost count of how many times while here I have been asked in a gov't office for said fees to make something happen faster or make something else go away... it's accepted that 30% of any contract dealing with a gov't agency is "scraped off the top" and they wonder why they continue to be a third world country...

I know. When I first experienced this in a third world country, I was naively shocked and offended that I "had" to pay these bribes to get things done. How Canadian, eh? But what surprised me even more was how quickly I got used to adding the "extra" to get stuff moving. It wasn't even that I was asking anyone to do something illegal, just to get it off one person's desk and onto another! Otherwise, it would get "lost". You wouldn't believe (or maybe you would) how many times my clients from third world countries will ask me who they can pay to make things happen. They will sit in my office, tell me they have money and demand that I get fast results. They have a hard time believing me when I tell them to keep their bribe money because they have to get in line like everyone else!

 

[Bangkokcanuck]

I know. When I first experienced this in a third world country, I was naively shocked and offended that I "had" to pay these bribes to get things done. How Canadian, eh? But what surprised me even more was how quickly I got used to adding the "extra" to get stuff moving. It wasn't even that I was asking anyone to do something illegal, just to get it off one person's desk and onto another! Otherwise, it would get "lost". You wouldn't believe (or maybe you would) how many times my clients from third world countries will ask me who they can pay to make things happen. They will sit in my office, tell me they have money and demand that I get fast results. They have a hard time believing me when I tell them to keep their bribe money because they have to get in line like everyone else!

You nailed it right squarely on the head. I too was shocked and quite pissed the first time someone asked for one of these tips, but my wife and our accountant acted like this is how it's always been done, the gov't workers make such small salaries anything we can do as the "elite" class is good for our karma and so be it. I have to laugh at your from one desk to another comment, I too have now come to ask in every conversation with any official what would it take to have this done more quickly, amazing how fast we adapt. Yes I would believe it I too was wondering if there was something I could do to make this process happen more quickly...but then my Canadian roots kicked in and I realized it was time to queue up and get comfy.... when friends come over to visit they love all the stories about the stuff we've paid for in that manner etc and lament how they could never do that in Canada.. but of course after some reflection they realize that it would be a total breakdown and explains why about 40 families control about 85% of the wealth in Thailand.. a pretty tough cycle to break. Be careful what you wish for was coined for good reason.