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Suggestions for gifts for Russians Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Russian Contexts, Myths and Truths

Author	Message
Grizzly Frequent Guest Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Canada	Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:14 am    Post subject: First off I think there is a huge difference between what may work in Moscow and St. Petersburg where incomes are higher and western foreigners are in overabundance and the rest of Russia where there are very few western foreigners and incomes are quite low. Even within Moscow and St. Pete there is a difference between whether you are giving a gift to a regular working Russian or to a more affluent and wordly Russian of the type whom the majority of expats will have contact with at work and in bars. Just because many western products are available in Russia doesn't mean that they don't cost twice as much as in the west (Russian stores seem to have the attitude that if you can afford western goods you can also afford to pay extravagant prices for them). Even if the particular good is reasonably priced it doesn't mean that it is within the budget range of the average Russian. Many western companies also sell poorer quality products in Russia than their western equivalent, for example, many European beers in Russia are brewed on contract somewhere in the former USSR and don't taste at all like they do in Europe but yet cost much more than the in many cases better Russian beers. I am also convinced that American cigarettes sold in Russia (again at higher prices) use poorer quality tobacco than in the US even though it is still better quality than that used in Russian cigarettes. American cigarettes are well regarded in Russia and being able to smoke original ones bought in the US would be well appreciated by many Russians. Additionally while a large selection of western goods is available in Russia, certainly the selection is less than in the west just like our selection of Russian goods is limited. For example, you can buy Canadian Club and Black Velvet whisky in Russia (even though very few could afford this) but not my favourite and much superior Canadian whisky, Alberta Springs. I always bring as many 375 ml bottles as I figure I can get by customs and these make great gifts. Most of the people I have given them to had never drunk whisky before and if they had it was terrible cheap imported blends. If a Russian was visiting you would you prefer they bring Moscovskaya which you can buy at any liquor store or a special vodka from their city that you could never purchase outside of Russia. I think the advice about western cosmetics, perfume and designer clothes for women is good as long as it is a close friend. Again some of these products could be bought in Russia but may be more expensive and many women cannot afford them that often and may use poorer quality but more affordable products. I have always found good cosmetics to be very appreciated whether by a young female or the 50 year old mother of one of my friends (although obviously you have to tailor the gift to the age of the recipient). As far as bringing things from your country, I think anything unique and not available in Russia would be appreciated. Books about your country or region are good as long as they are in Russian or have lots of pictures. Many Russians are fascinated to see places that most believe they will never have the money or Visa to visit themselves. Unlike the earlier poster I have also had a lot of success with things with Canadian symbols on them such as flags or buttons. I am not sure one would have the same success with US symbols but most other countries would probably be fine. I think regional symbols from the US (state flag, city emblem) might be more appreciated than national ones. Again anything unique is good. Most Russian men will appreciate being given alcohol and while most can't afford Jim Beam and would think it a great gift, a better quality and smaller brand of whisky would be even better. When I run out of Alberta Springs I buy Canadian Club or Black Velvet in a Russian store. What isn't appreciated is if you give things that seem like a care package, for example, soap. Russia definitely has a much poorer standard of living than most western countries but it is also not so poor that most people can't provide themselves with basic goods. Also do not give cheap products, i.e. Walmart clothes, as there is no shortage of poor quality merchandise in Russia and there is no advantage to wearing cheap American clothing over the cheap Turkish or Chinese made clothing that abounds in Russian markets and stores. I think the best advice is to think about what you would appreciate as a unique Russian gift if a Russian were visiting you home and try and provide something similar from your own country. Also any type of gift that would be appropriate to give to a fellow citizen of your own country, for example, a good perfume or nice clothes should be fine. If a particular gift might offend your neighbour than don't give it to a Russian either. If you have good intent, use common sense and are not condescending I don't think you should have any problem.
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traceymill Lounge Lizard Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 84 Location: chicago il	Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:28 pm    Post subject: I agree with two previous posts completely. If I came across condesending than I apologize profusely for it was never my intention!!(I never meant it that way, I worry so much about offending people, sometimes too much) To sum up my feelings on the subject, I try to bring nice gifts that are either hard to find there or perhaps too expensive for the average person. But we must remember, a gift is a gift!!! If someone comes to my house for dinner and brings a nice bottle of wine I am appreciative, or if my friend gives me a basket of fine french milled soaps(not average bath soap) and exotic lotion for a present then I am in heaven, because it is a lovely gesture to be thoughtful. All of the things I have suggested have been well received, but think about it like this: would you like it if someone gave it to you???
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Grizzly Frequent Guest Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 18 Location: Canada	Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:12 am    Post subject: I did mean "average bath soap" in my post above. Fine bath soap would be a great gift. Friends of mine sometimes receive gifts from German friends of theirs which include regular soap, the cheapest German chocolate and other typical care package stuff and they find this a bit strange and insulting. Both of these friends are university professors but their salary is very low. Nevertheless, they can afford to buy soap and much better chocolate than the cheap stuff they are sent. I don't think your posts are condescending at all and actually correspond to my experience quite well. It is a few of the other posts in this thread that seem condescending to me. The english speaking Moscovite who works for a foreign firm, wears designer clothes, has travelled in the west, hangs out or works with foreigners and goes to fashionable Moscow discotheques is actually a small percentage of the Moscow population let alone the Russian population. Just because a westerner can go to a store in Moscow and buy the same goods as at home doesn't mean the guy sitting beside him on the subway can afford the same thing. It is very easy to forget how expensive some goods are on a Russian salary even if they don't cost very much to us. Nevertheless, a gift should be just that, a gift and not an aid package.
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