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What is an appropriate gift?
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Posted by: Dave1

I am contemplating my first ever trip to the Ukraine (Simferopol) to meet an FSU woman, and am wondering what is an appropriate gift? We are both in our 40's, and she doesn't have family. I don't want to look cheap, I dont want to look like I am trying to show off, and I don't want to have a problem at customs. What is normal? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

Posted by: AkMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

I am contemplating my first ever trip to the Ukraine (Simferopol) to meet an FSU woman, and am wondering what is an appropriate gift? We are both in our 40's, and she doesn't have family. I don't want to look cheap, I dont want to look like I am trying to show off, and I don't want to have a problem at customs. What is normal? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

Have a look thru in the http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...splay.php?f=119 gift giving section. There's alot of great ideas that have worked before.

I found the best is to show hard printed (normal) pictures of your area and of your family to show your life and such. Kind of like a backround check..

Posted by: Dave1

Thanks Mike, you are a wealth of information!

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

If possible bring a single red rose from your home town, (I have done this and it went over fantastic) and give this to her the very first second you meet her. They are not looking for anything special, cheap will never enter their minds on any gift, they just want a good man, with a good heart, a man who is attentive to them. I have brought with me stuffed animals that had a vest in the fashion of the american flag. if your city has something special about it a small gift that represents your city. even though I'm not from New York, I flew out of New York on one trip and stopped in a souviner shop and bought a small square piece of glass that had the laser artwork of the statue of liberty inside. You mentioned she does not have family, I am assuming you mean children, so if the plans are to meet parents, remember to also bring a gift for this event. Most importantly she will probably refuse any offer of food or drink when you guys are out walking around seeing the sights, if you are thirsty or hungry she will be the same, do not take 'no' for an answer. I can give you a whole list of items I have brought with me that would not break the bank, on both trips I gave a small gift every day to the woman, each time this gift was given to her the very first moment we saw each other on this day.

Posted by: dagpop

Take chocolate, Russian women love that. Maybe a piece of jewelry.

Posted by: AkMike

I did take some locally made Ak. Wilderry/Chocolates that were Dark Chocolate is very popular there.

Posted by: Dave1

Thanks for the tips! It sounds like I need to visit a souvenir shop instead of a jewelry store. Or both. As for the rose, if she meets me at the airport after I've been 20 hours of travelling I might be better off rubbing it on me than giving it to her!

Posted by: AkMike

Yah I'd wait on any jewellry til another trip. Take it slow and sure.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

Thanks for the tips! It sounds like I need to visit a souvenir shop instead of a jewelry store. Or both. As for the rose, if she meets me at the airport after I've been 20 hours of travelling I might be better off rubbing it on me than giving it to her!

Yeah, it sounds like the rose will look like crap after all that travel, but it did not for me on either trip. The first trip, I bought the rose on Saturday afternoon, Sunday flew from Chicago to New York, had to actually got to the Russian consulate on Monday to get my Visa. Monday after noon 5Pm flew to Moscow, had a 9 hour lay over in Moscow then flew to Arkhangelsk, it was 10PM Tuesday night in Arkhangelsk when I arrived. So the rose actually made it thru 3 flights and 2 days of travel. What was better was her eyes when I presented it to her, first she was just could not beleive the thoughtfulness to recieve a gift and second that this flower came from my home. My second trip was easier Chicago to Warsaw to Moscow, 20+ hours of travel but again the rose had the effect I was hoping for.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

I was thinking of doing the very same thing with the rose, buy one here and carry it all the way to Moscow and give it to her (after the big hug that she wants from me).

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Wrap the cut end of the rose in a moist paper towel then wrap it with a cling wrap. Maybe tie a ribbon around it to keep it all in place, it will be fine.

Posted by: blucatz

I am definately doing the Rose thing at the airport. Her birthday is in the middle of our trip so I am getting her a piece of jewelry as a present.

Maybe a nice necklace, but nothing that says "Hey, lets get married". Im not that far involved (yet). I sent her a inexpensive piece of jewelry for Christmas and she was really happy for it.

Its the only piece of jewelry she ever wears. I have not met a Russian woman that wears allot of jewelry yet, I don't know why.

Posted by: sidney

They don't wear expensive jewelry on the streets because it could get stolen. It least that's the case in the smaller cities of ukraine. The mother-inlaw gave my wife her family diamond ring because she couldn't wear it on the street.
Sid

Posted by: Chillidog

I also think with the jewelry it is a practicality thing. Most do not have a lot of extra disposable income, so they will not purchase a lot of fancy trinkets, and will use the money they have for everyday practical use. But of course they will get themsleves a watch, ear rings, but again not a lot, they do not go overboard on this.

Posted by: Buckeye5704

Bob,

Thanks for the Rose idea! I was wondering how they'd survive the trip. I don't suppose the flight crew would be willing to help out there, would they?

Only ONE? My favorite florist turns a dozen roses (11 for this trip) into a work of art, but I don't want to make her faint. Well, then again...

Tim

Posted by: disculmawsu

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagpop

Take chocolate, Russian women love that. Maybe a piece of jewelry.

Dave this sound advice I can bearly keep my friend and her mother supplied with chocolate. In fact I need to clearly label the chocolate I send so there are no fights when my packages arrive.
I would bring coffee table books of your state or city to give your friend an idea. Also, bring lots of little things to bring so you have some to give her something everyday. I took several promotional items from my university (and apparently my friend had the same idea because she gave me several promotional items from her company).