Romke Brink, 30, Unemployed Hydraulic Mechanic, retraining to be a Driving Instructor
Love and appreciation. After six years in the army and sleeping at the army base, I was very surprised to be so welcomed to live again in my mother’s house. When I was young and saw Superman, I wanted to do good as well. But what can you do without those powers? So I decided to serve other people. I joined the army, so I could work for peace and safety. During that time I was sent out to Bosnia and my mother didn’t like it. It was dangerous. But it was for a good cause so she supported me. My grandmother, who was in the resistance during World War II, was very proud that I joined the army. Whenever I visited home during those years it felt like a visit and not as going back to my family. So when I left the army I was very touched when my mother was happy to let me live in her house again.
Eduardo Antonio Ramalho, 54, Engineer
It was a cellar of wine. I got it from my kids as a birthday gift. This was the first gift they gave me all together. I think that is why it was so special.
Mihaela Ghitescu, 33, Psychologist
The most wonderful gift I have ever received are my children that God gave me. I can’t think of any material things, they are far less important.
Robert Thai with wife Donna
My granddaughter’s greeting card. She is seven years old. Because we love her very much, so anything that she gives us we think is very wonderful.
Lina Eriksson, 19, Camera Store Clerk
The best gift would be the AC/DC [concert] ticket I received when I graduated from high school.
Lian Jin Hoe, 28, Commercial Real Estate Agent
The best gift I ever received is from God, that gave me the opportunity to lead a normal life. Everything else I will have to achieve with my own hands. Regarding a physical gift, I would say that it was from my girlfriend, an expensive watch that I never even think about. However, the best gifts usually can’t be bought by money.
Chris Simpson, 24, Video Store Clerk
My friend Katherine got me a little toy bear that looks like a rat. It was from a cafe. I keep it on my desk, and it just looks nice. I really love it. She gave it to me because we used to go to that cafe and play chess. We’re good friends.
Chiara Faleppi, 21, Civilian Service Volunteer
Years ago, I won the first prize in Judo where I live. That time was a beautiful experience. After I graduated from the Superior Technical Industrial School of San Giovanni Valdarno with 80 percent, my parents give me a car as a reward. I think that is the best gift I have ever received. Now I have received recognition for my work and was accepted into the Italian Civilian Service and this is important for me too at this moment.
Dieter Schroder, 51, MBA
This is a good question, I think it was my university entrance diploma [laughs]. I like to work.
Matthew Clelland, 22, Telecommunications
I’d have to say the best gift that I’ve received would have to be my car. I received it about two years ago from my grandparents. I didn’t know it was a gift. I was going to be purchasing it myself, and I only paid a couple thousand on it, but then they were actually telling me that I wouldn’t have to pay the remaining of it, which was a whole lot—maybe 80 percent of it. It was a really nice thought and really nice gift to give to me, because they knew that my parents had split up so it was hard for them to decide who was going to buy a car for me, and they want to help out as much as they can with their grandkids. And them giving me that was a really nice gesture, really nice present. I really appreciate it, and it’s helped me a lot and gets me from A to B. You can’t go anywhere without a car these days especially on the Gold Coast. The transport’s very bad.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week, when Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Does today’s younger generation have it easier or harder than previous generations—in regards to life, work, schooling, and so on?”
