What gift can we offer a Pakistani/Muslim Doctor? Will Champagne Offend?

Aubrey_Thicket

Hi all


I am new here and I did look for a place to post this thread but nothing sprung to mind. Basically, this post probably highlights my lack of knowledge regarding the religions of others. It may have even been safer to refrain from posting but I would genuinely like to offer a gift...


During the past 2 years a close family member of mine has been in incredible pain due to a specific illness. To cut a long story short the private Doctor who looked after the family member proved to be nothing short of fantastic. A couple of weeks ago my family member was operated on by the Doctor and the operation was a huge success and the pain has gone. The family member is literally a different person (for the better) and he now wants to send the Doctor a gift. I know people will say 'That's what the Doctor gets paid for' (Bear in mind this was done under private medical insurance) and I know people may say that Doctors possibly cannot accept gifts but my family member is adamant in writing to the Doctor and thanking him for granting him what he calls a new life. He originally wanted to thank Doctor Mohammad by giving him a card with a Bottle of Champagne but we assume Mr Mohammad is Pakistani (by his name and his looks). Therefore, there is a good chance of him being Muslim. As we know it we assume that it may well cause offense to the doctor giving him alcohol (if indeed he is Muslim). I am not looking for chastisation or lessons on religion.


We just want to let this Doctor know how very grateful we are. So, my 2 questions here mainly appeal to people of the Muslim faith...


1. Is it possible/probable that Mr Mohammad could well be offended if we were to send him a bottle of Champagne by way of a thank you?


2. What alternative gift would possibly be well accepted (in the same vain as Champagne) by Mr Mohammad? What would you like to receive? What would be a good gift to send Mr Mohammad?


Thanks all


Apologies in error if I have written anything that offends anybody. It was not my intention.

TBagpuss

If he is an obbservant moslem then he will not drink alcohol, so while champagne may not offend, ( I think most people would assume that the gift was well-meant, and would not be offended) it also won't benefit him.

You could instead offer flowers, (non-liqueur) chocolates, a fruit basket or simply a card or letter.

Do double check with the hospital - many organisations have rules about accepting gits and it may be that he would not be able to accept anything.

A letter to him (and one to his boss / department head) on the other hand will alwasy be acceptable.

If you relation was an in patient then a git such as chocolates for the ward may also be appreciated.

paddy's_mum

Would a donation to a suitable charity (that helps children in the Indian sub-continent perhaps or a world-wide good cause) sent to the doctor along with a card saying how grateful the patient is for his skill and caring be a gift that is both heartfelt and acceptable to all concerned?

charliewocka

I was going to suggest writing a thank you card and saying that you would make a donation to their charity of choosing on their behalf....

snowleopard61

Although it may not offend him (he would probably think it was a kind gesture anyway), it may not be much use to him, unless he's quite secular.

From my own experience - I wanted to thank a female police officer for her support in a court case in which one of my children was involved (as witness/victim), but unfortunately the police really don't accept gifts, whereas most doctors do. The best I could do was to write a detailed letter of thanks and copy it to her line manager, in the hope that it would stand her in good stead if promotion was a possibility. She did appreciate it very much.

When the person I wanted to thank was a consultant surgeon who had performed a major heart operation on my father and given him a new lease of life, I waited until I had enough money to send a (by my standards) fairly decent donation and sent him a cheque for the hospital's heart charity, with a very grateful letter, which he also seems to have appreciated a lot.

Either of those is a possibility, I suppose. I think a letter may be of use even to a consultant because they may get some recognition in pay negotiations.

PS Sorry, think I've cross-posted with others who've made the same suggestions.

snowleopard61

TBagpuss wrote: »

many organisations have rules about accepting gits

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

The NHS accepts all comers though!

snowleopard61

A homemade cake would probably go down well.

polgara

Whilst I like the sentiment I'd not go with anything homebaked - apart from not knowing the hygiene of where it was made there are also lots of dietary issues to consider.

Chocolates (vegetarian if possible to consider Muslim considerations) are always a good option but I'd personally go with a charitable donation.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

A sincere, hand-written note of thanks is always appreciated. Alcohol can be an odd gift regardless of religion; I don't drink wine and know at least two others who are allergic to it. You can't go wrong with a donation to a charity (research related to the particular medical condition, local hospice, or general childrens).

tomtontom

I'd go with a charitable donation. Also keep in mind that there would have been many others involved in her treatment, who are often forgotten about when it comes to saying thank you.

fairy_lights

It wouldn't have just been the doctor who operated on your family member, there would have been a whole team of anaesthetists, surgical assistants, nurses etc. So I'd send a big tub of chocolates and a thank you card for them all to share in the staff room.