Flashpacking is all about keeping it lightweight and high-tech, but my first purchase for the trip since starting this blog wasn’t a high-end backpack or USB-powered toy. Today’s shopping trip was to the local dollar store.

The inspiration, if you can call it that, came from an email — a friend of Lindsie’s is traveling in southeast Asia, and Lindsie had the bright idea to ask her if there’s anything from Canada that goes over well there — little gifts, tokens, etc. We’re packing light, but that doesn’t mean we have to rule out the fun of bringing a few token gifts and mementos to share with friends we make along the way.

Our friend told us that Thai kids love Canadian flags, and that pens and pencils go over well too. I love seeing a kid wielding any sort of creative implement, so found the thought of bringing pens and pencils greatly appealing. (My mom just retired after a long career teaching elementary school, so I think a lot of her pro-creativity instincts rubbed off on me.)

There are a few reasons I feel it’s important to bring a few gifts along when you travel:

• Being equipped to repay a favor feels good. Every time I’ve traveled, people have surprised me with acts of kindness and generosity. There are moments when it feels really great to give something back, no matter how small or silly the gift may be.
• Giving is a universal language. At one month before our departure date, I know about five words of Thai, and it will be a little while before khorb koon (”thank you”) rolls off my tongue automatically. Sometimes the phrasebook is in the bottom of the pack, you’re well on your way to a case of sunstroke, and you’re about to part ways forever with the kindest person you’ve met this year. A silly little token may not be profound, but sometimes, it’s right for the situation.
• A gift is more fun than a handout — for both of you. I’ve gotten off buses in Mexico among crowds of people begging for money, and it’s not a good feeling. I don’t like being perceived as a walking wallet, and for good or ill, that’s what an affluent first-world traveler is throughout much of the world. I’m happy to share the wealth by contributing to a charity I respect — for example, we recently made a donation to Planned Parenthood — or by sharing my skills, time, or attention. But I believe handouts teach reliance, so I prefer to stay away from the cash donations.
• It’s an easy way to get a smile. Hey, sometimes you just want to get a photo of some big grins. A stick-on tattoo will get results.

So Lindsie and I stopped in at the dollar store after work and picked up sixteen bucks worth of silly Canada-themed pens and pencils, pins, flags, and for good measure, some maple leaf stick-on tattoos. I’m just glad we won’t be bringing a bag of maple syrup, smoked salmon, or beaver tails.

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