Would your Dh bring you a gift, would you expect one?

No. And I can see from your posts that you were not expecting, just trying to work out what is "usual". I'm the Mum in the working away situation, and I have to travel one in two weeks (mainly UK) but sometimes abroad. Although some things are nice about it, you often have little time, off and on transport, straight to the client when you are tired, meeting new people, giving your best which can mean late nights in hotels doing work, you sometimes see next to nothing of the country you are in other than the taxi in and taxi out, and spending time with people, when you would much rather be in your room just trying to catch up. I stopped the gifts fairly early on (4 kids) because otherwise an "expectation" would have built up. I used to bring back stuff that had been given "en-route" to me for free (airline packs with ear plugs, eye masks and etc.) and if I had time I would buy "local sweets" for them , but other than cigarettes at duty free (husband does not smoke, but someone in the family would always be happy ) or the occasional bottle (again duty free) it is a no. My only exception is that I went to Oman with work and got a day off to explore the souk, and came back with a tea set for my husband, perfumes for my girls, and weird nougatty sweets for the boys. Generally, though, it is just a grind (although I admit a pleasant one some of the time, and sometimes better than being at home, I get that), but your focus is far from home and what can be bought as a gift. You simply don't have the chance, and your head is not in that space, however much you love your home life.

Sorry meant with my own post

Bad grammar above

Something for the kids. I used to ask him to buy me a particular perfume from duty free, though nowadays even that is a bit too expensive and not really much of a saving vs Boots or elsewhere. He’d sometimes pick up something else for me as well. I did the same when I was travelling with work.

I wouldn’t expect anything but he always does bring back presents for me and the DC. It isn’t tat though or souvenir stuff, he got back from a trip recently and it was a bag from a shop who has its main branch in that country. The time before it was perfume but the time before that some special chocolates. But no, I don’t expect it.

If my DH passed through an airport without bringing me a massive toblerone, I’d be asking why he didn’t love me anymore.

@MonsteraMama how is a birthday gift remotely comparable to the need for a gift from some who’s been away from their home for 2 weeks working?

You’re right about the fridge magnet, but that’s a household gift

He has never brought me a gift. We both rarely travel for work these days, but always try to get dd a small souvenir from the city.

No why would I?

My husband does when he goes abroad, but nothing extravagant. Just some sweets or a snack for me to try that I wouldn't be able to get here, or a silly magnet for my increasingly ridiculous fridge, or something else small.

For me it's just a nice little gesture to tell me he was thinking of me at a random moment on his trip. I think it's sweet.

But this is Mumsnet and anything other than taciturn stoicism within your marriage is seen as immature. I'm sure you'll be told to grow up shortly. We don't even do birthdays for adults here, didn't you know? 🙃

I didn’t expect a gift

No, but once you saw your child received one you felt a bit put out. I’d say grow up.

If my dh is passing through an airport I always casually ask him to pick up some Tom Ford perfume.

He then rings me to ask if I know how expensive it is. Of course I do duh that's why I've asked you to buy it for me.

If you want something ask for it. Otherwise no I wouldn't expect a gift.

I think it’s a dated concept. Travelling for work is now so commonplace (as is travelling for any occasion) it’s just another day at the office but with extra stress. Not sure why the non travelling partner needs to be treated.

Very rarely brings something for DC and not for me (and I don’t expect it). My DH travels a lot and it’s all about efficiency for him- squeeze as many meetings as possible and minimize time at airport. Often he’s through security and straight to boarding as he doesn’t want to wait around the airport/ lounge. Do shopping and browsing isn’t on the agenda.

DH has always travelled for work. He'd always bring something back for the DC but not usually for me unless he'd been somewhere particularly interesting or exotic and happened to see something he thought I'd like. I certainly wouldn't expect anything.

Wouldn't expect anything at all as he's working. However he did often (not all the time) bring me back some Korean cosmetics.

He wouldn't bring one. I wouldn't expect one.

My DH did when he was travelling for work. I never expected presents.

No.
But sometimes if he's been at a decent hotel, he brings us the biscuits.

Depends where he’s been. Working in the UK where everything he could buy is available for me to buy from local shops at any time? No he wouldn’t fetch stuff. Working abroad where there’s duty free and stuff you can’t get here? Yes he’d probably bring chocolate and wine etc.

DH worked away a lot in his last job. He used to bring me things like perfume from duty free. If he went to the US, he generally also brought back levis etc but at my request, so not a gift, per se. He's in a different job now with no travel worth mentioning , but if he ever has to go away for a day or two, he'd bring me back a Toblerone or box of chocolates or something like that.

I do like a fridge magnet, but generally no, unless he’s at a big conference, when the house is filled with water bottles/hats/tote bags from every tech company you can think of.

Had 30 years of this
No gifts unless on a massive cash retainer and cant take out of the country
Token gifts for children when very young

We both travel for work and wouldn’t think to bring back a present! Not everything has to be materialistic

No, is it your love language? Might not be his. In which case, you need to communicate that to him.