chocs for Asian taxi driver

[Papergirl1968]

Dd goes to a special school by taxi. Just her and another lad and the driver, no escort or anything, and 99 times out of 100 it’s the same Asian driver who takes her there and back. He usually has to wait a few minutes for her as despite my best efforts, she’s never ready.
I’m pretty sure he’s Muslim as very occasionally he wears traditional dress, although usually western clothes.
I know he has young children.
Would it be ok to buy a tub of chocs, something like Roses or Heroes, for his children and give it to him on the last day of term? Or would it cause offence? I don’t have any Muslim friends to ask for advice...

Chocolates would be fine, ideally ones suitable for vegetarians

Lovely idea. As PP said chocs fine as long as vegetarian.

My line manager is muslim. He has no issues with joining in Christmas celebrations and is rather partial to chocolates!

That would be very kind - I'm sure it would mean a lot to him

I'm sure he'd really appreciate it. I have Muslim family and they join in with everything Christmasy - in the same way I drop off a happy Eid card to neighbors who celebrate it, even though I don't.

I think it would be fine but if you’re unsure perhaps frame it as an end of term thank you gift rather than a ‘Christmas’ present.

I think that sounds lovely.

Another thought- a voucher for a coffee could be welcome if he is on the road all the time - and of term thank you brilliant idea

Lovely thought, yeh just make sure their vegetarian, he would deffo appreciate it. Who doesn't like chocolate

What about a travel mug with a coffee voucher?
Maybe some travel sweets?

I gave our taxi driver the mug five years ago and they still use it!

Not a problem at all, just don't give ones with alcohol in.

On and off I've worked with quite a few muslims. One of the few sweet things I make is cheesecake. It's not unusual for my Muslim workmates to ask to take any left overs home.

OP

The vast majority of people are just people, thy want their children to have more opportunities and a better life than them. They love, cry, hurt and feel exactly the same.

A gift given in kindness is normally appreciated.

If he brought you some sweets at Eid how would you feel?

Thank you everyone.
I see what you mean, sashh. I’d just think how lovely. I was just anxious not to cause offence.
I’m not religious anyway, so I still celebrate Christmas but to us it’s about spending time with family, traditions like turkey, crap tv and decorations, rather than the birth of Jesus.

If you want to thank him I think the travel mug + coffee gift card is a great idea.

My son used to get a taxi (currently out of school). I have got sweets or biscuits before. I'm sure he would appreciate it or even a card by your son if he is able to. I would just check its suitable for vegetarians as made that mistake giving out haribo once at sons birthday at school..I didn't even think about it. As I view it they put up with a lot (well with my son anyway!) and it's nice to say thanks and how much we appreciate them (especially the good ones).

Op ive done the same thing. Im in the same situation. Have also gotten the escort a tin of chocs. When you get a good taxi service, its a godsend isnt it

I know your heart is in the right place OP br why on earth would a Muslim person be offended by a gift of chocolates at Christmas time? They're normal people, would you be offended if a Muslim family gave you a gift in one of their celebration days? Time to cop on.

Or are you just posting to highlight you're thinking of "doing something nice"?

Lovely idea. Not so good for kids but when I worked in confectionary the chains in Asian dominated areas always ran out of ferrero rocher at celebratory times as gold is a good celebration colour

Did you mean to be so rude, Birdy?
There’s always one...

My son also attends a specialist school and has an Asian taxi driver and escort.
I buy them chocolates at the end of every term so do the same at Christmas, to thank them for another term of safely getting him to school. They are always gratefully recieved

Good thinking. She only started in September so it’s approaching the end of the first term.

We have some Muslim friends. They always give our children sweets at Eid, and we buy theirs small gifts at Christmas.

You need to make sure the sweets are halal. Gelatine is made out of calves' hooves .Is there an Asian sweet shop near you? But I think he would appreciate the gesture whatever you give him.

I don’t think so, Eddie.
I’d struggle with the idea of buying halal, so sweets are probably out. But I could do vegetarian, non alcoholic chocolates, or travel mug and coffee chain gift card
Thank you.

I think that sounds fine just check anything you buy for a halal symbol to be sure.

Since youre not actually sure if hes muslim, i would go down the vegetarian route instead of halal!