8 . How to pick souvenirs (纪念品) your friends will actually want is very hard. First, there is the cheap airport and tourist shop selling the decorations and T-shirts featuring local and global attraction. Then, there are the crafts (工艺品) and fashions that try to convince you during a trip to bring them back.     1    

What’s to be done? Here are a few rules to help make sure you don’t regret spending your money—and maybe even bring back a few great gifts.

●What to buy at the airport?

There are only two types of airport souvenirs: the ones you can find in any airport and the ones branded with a local destination. Don’t buy either.     2     They can actually be a good deal, but they re not souvenirs; they’re just called shopping.

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The best way to avoid terrible souvenirs is to purchase the special foods of the place you’re visiting. Not only does this mean that you get to bring home something that’s actually part of the culture, but, in case you don’t actually like or want it, food can be easily got rid of—either by force feeding it to dinner guests or by dumping it into the trash can (垃圾桶).     4    

●How to buy fashion or decoration you won’t regret?

If you’re looking for fashion or decoration in a foreign country and want to avoid regretting your decision, visit a boutique (精品店) or two.     5     And while it’s true that many mid-level stores around the world have started to look the same, independent designers usually stick to their ideas and can attract customers with their traditional styles. You’ll have to pay extra, but it’s worth it.