I am going to Europe to meet someone I have only spoken to via email and skype. I am going as a guest and would like to bring something special and significant, although not necessarily expensive, as a gift of appreciation. Can y'all help me think of something uniquely american that someone in europe would appreciate receiving? Really appreciate any and all responses. Thank you.

Assume you are going to the UK - based on your tag. Cannot think of anything that we have that they don't - unless you want to bring a photo book of your city or area.

Obviously we do all think you're crazy. Traveling with a person you don;t know well can be a disaster - traveling with one you've never met has all those problems - plus the issues of a possible scam,or being subject to someone who is a criminal or unbalanced. I hope you have someone local who knows your exact plans and that you have your own room at least.

(I'm all in favor of romance and was guilty of being swept off my feet a couple of times when I was younger - but it was someone I knew at least something about - as in real name, address and phone # - and that they went to the same school I did.)

Since we don't know age? gender? interests? country? (assuming UK but you said 'Europe'), romantic situation/lack thereof? -- how can we give any useful advice.

Plus - we don't know where you are from. Something unique for the NW would be entirely different than something unique from the SE or midwest.

Instead of schelpping something across the Atlantic - them him/her to a nice dinner

"<i>Obviously we do all think you're crazy.</i>" Unless nytraveler knows a 'back story' you haven't told us - I think all the warnings are a bit much. I don't see where you have mentioned romance or even traveling w/ this person.

But you really haven't told us much of anything, so I guess anything is possible

You say that you're going as a guest... are you staying with the person? If it is a romantic thing, please be careful and don't be afraid to run like crazy and get a hotel room. One thing I've always tried to do is let someone know all of the contact information for the person I'm meeting, including a picture if possible, and I set up a time to email/text/call to check in. If you're going to be with this person for multiple days, check in every day. It doesn't have to be anything lengthy, just a quick note or text. Also, you can set up an emergency word with your home contact, when I traveled as a student ambassador we had one of these. If we said cyclone on the check in phone call that meant "COME GET ME NOW!"

As for a gift, what is the person you're meeting interested in? Are they a sports nut, love cooking, a tech geek, history buff?

I can see having lunch or dinner with someone I met only on line or email, but staying with them-NO!

If this is a romantic thing, don't get him a present. You are the one going through all the inconvenience and risk to meet. He should be getting you a present.

I agree with cigale and the others. Be careful and make sure you always have enough cash and cards on you to get a hotel or anything else you might need.

If this isn't a romantic thing, I would wait and buy a really nice bouquet of flowers after you get there, or take them out for dinner. Who really has space for knickknacks? There will be photos for memories.

Well I must be crazy too - I hosted a guest from Canada in the summer, we'd only corresponded via e-mail and yahoo messenger.

I've also stayed with friends of friends pre internet days who I'd never spoken to

He brought maple syrup (yes we get it here but that's not the point) and Vancouver Canucks sweatshirts and some hats with maple leaves on (tucks or tooks or something they are called). Oh and some chocolates with peanut butter in.

Not sure what you consider expensive but a football shirt from your local team would be uniquely American. Or some other souvenir from a football / baseball / hockey team (pendant, cap etc).

Coins - no idea why but people seem fascinated with currency - In the UK you can buy a 'proof' set of coins - one of each in circulation. Can you get the same in the US?

I agree that you should have sufficient funds, a credit card or two, an ATM card and that you should leave info with a family member or close friend back home sailing and keep in good touch, but having said that I can't help but comment about some other thoughts that I have.

Parents all over a lot of the world send their teenage children to another country, to a strangers house as an exchange student. If everyone or anyone thinks a lot of the student exchange programs really check out the host families, believe me they do not, not to the extent that they should. And families open up their homes to exchange students who are complete strangers to them and if everyone or anyone thinks all student exchange programs really check out the exchange students again believe me, they do not. Note: I said " not all". Some student exchange programs do an excellent job but some do not. I am speaking from knowledge and experience.

So I don't understand all the concern regarding an adult going to visit someone in the UK. I assume sailing is more qualified to handle a problem if one should arise compared to the average teenage exchange student.

Regarding a gift, not knowing where you live or what the interest your host has I can't be of any help sailing. But a dinner out one or two evenings would be nice I would think.

I like bringing handmade items by a local artist or craftsman as gifts.

sashh: the winter hat was a toque!

Forget beer or chocolate - our mineral water in stronger than American "Bud" and the wrapper of Herseys is its strong point.

Use of "y'all would indicate a southern leaning - which means Cajun sauces.

What I as a European would appreciate:

- A T-shirt with the logo of your university or with another motif from your region (choose a tasteful one, not too colorful).

- Some food specialty from your region (e.g. peach preserves from Georgia, cajun sauce from Lousiana, chile sauce from Texas, blue corn pancake mix from the Southwest...). If you cannot find an item: hickory smoke flavored BBQ sauce is always a safe bet.

- Some handiwork item which is special for your region. The souvenir shop of any visitor center in a Natl. Park/Natl. Monument/State Park etc. is always a cloud nine for me and my family.

wow,guys, thank you all for the concern and words of wisdom. I am aware of how careful I will need to be and believe me, if this comes to pass,I will take plenty of precautions.I am from the NY area and the person I am meeting likes wine, whiskey, golf, swimming, chocolate, chess and music, art (esp. watercolors). thanks for treating me like family, y'all!

I hate to say it, being a Phillies fan myself, but maybe a NY Yankees World Series Ballcap. Very NY and American.

>>>the person I am meeting likes wine, whiskey, golf, swimming, chocolate, chess and music, art (esp. watercolors)<<<

Then:

- a bottle of wine from New York State (not Californian wine!)
- a bottle of a real good and rare bourbon whiskey (or a food item prepared with whiskey, e.g. BBQ sauce with whiskey)
- some souvenir items/CDs from a NYC music venue (depending on what kind of music the person likes - classical, jazz, blues, hip-hop...)
- a watercolor with a New York State scenery - Long Island, Hudson Valley or a beautiful Manhattan scene..

You absolutely need to have someone run a background to make sure the person truly exists. Your story sounds very similar to a friend of ours who also knew she was crazy but would be very carefully. It was all a big con and cost her several thousand dollars before it was over. They are very good.

I like Traveller1959's suggestion of a watercolor with a New York scene and a bottle of wine to share.

Do a google search on the person before you commit too much. It never hurts to be cautious and you'd be amazed at what you can find out sometimes.

and if the name doesn't turn up on google, then what?

You can google the email address and/or phone number. Also, sometimes you get more hits if you use the country's own google home page. Eg for the UK, use http://www.google.co.uk/

This person has never done a single thing to turn up on Google? It's possible, but not likely. It's up to you to decide how much of a background check to do.