Is it typical to bring a gift to a birthday dinner?
I’m new to the company (and Australia) and have been invited by colleagues to a birthday dinner at a bar for one of our teammates. Should I bring a gift? The challenge is that I haven’t had much interaction with her, so I’m unsure what would be suitable. Just to note, she’s in her 50s.
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Welcome to your new company and Australia! It’s great that you’ve been invited to a birthday dinner. In Australian culture, it’s common to bring a small gift to birthday celebrations, especially if you want to show appreciation for the invitation, even if you don’t know the person well yet.
Since you haven’t interacted much with the birthday celebrant, consider opting for something simple and universally appreciated. A nice card with a thoughtful message can be a lovely gesture, and if you’d like to include a small gift, perhaps a box of chocolates, a bottle of wine, or a bouquet of flowers would be appropriate.
If you’re still unsure, you might also consider asking one of your colleagues what they think would be suitable. Enjoy the dinner and good luck with your new position!