The culture of "omiyage"

     There's something in Japanese culture that is similar to that of the Filipinos...the omiyage. In my country, we call it "pasalubong.
     Although it is not demanded, it is kind of expected of a person who just came from a vacation, visit, or trip to another place to bring home an omiyage that is specific to that place. Buying an omiyage for officemates, friends and neighbors seem to be a avery serious matter that anywhere you go in this country, there are plenty of shops where you can buy all sorts of omiyage. These can be anywhere in the city, in train/bus stations, suprmarkets, malls, everywhere. The best omiyage would be anything that can be eaten, and mostly they would come in beautifully designed box or packaging. The packaging is a big deal too, not only for omiyages but for a lot of things. This will probably be covered in another post though.
     What they usually do is to buy one box for the whole office. It doesn't matter how big or how many the omiyage is, the important thing is that everybody get to have even just one small piece. 
     From my experience (at my part-time job), now and again there would be something for everybody from a certain officemate who just came back from travel. It would either be a piece of biscuit, cracker, chocolate, nuts, pudding, bread, candy, etc. There was even one time that we had ice cream cookies. Small as they are, they would be greatly welcomed and appreciated, with gushes of "Oishi!" or "Subarashi!" or "Sugoi!" or some of the equivalents of "Oh, you didn't have to". The important thing was the thought was there.
     Apparently (from what I have heard and read so far, that is) going on a vacation or travel is considered a very big luxury for working people. When you go on vacation or trip (even if it's on official business, I think), your colleagues would have to work extra hard to cover for your absence in the office. As such, you are in a way indebted to them. Thus, bringing back an omiyage is an expression of your appreciation for their hard work (while you were gone) and thus bodes well for maintaining a harmonic relationship in the office. In addition, there are also set of appropriate phrases to say when giving/presenting them your omiyage. In essence, these are said to humble yourself towards others and thanking them for doing you a big favor.
     Omiyages are not only given when you come back from a trip. Before coming to Japan, I was advised to bring  goods that the Philippines is known for to be given to my sensei, labmates, and other people who will be helping me along the way during the first few days of my stay. Well, I got dried mangoes, the special coffee blend from the university, some key chains, and some stuff from Goldilocks. I just got this and that because I really didn't know what they would like. I figured if I get various stuff, I'd at least have plenty to choose from which would be more apporpriate to give to people. ;-)