My wife and I have been greatly assisted by an administrative assistant in a museum. Her help has been such that we would like to take her a small personal gift, not necessarily expensive, but something that shows we appreciated her help. Is there something that we could bring with us(limited luggage space) that would convey that message. We have so much assistance from the more experienced travelers at this site, I am sure someone has ideas for such a gift or token. If need be we can pick something up in Italy...any ideas. Again to all responders, thanks...the information I've gleaned from this site, I couldn't buy!

well, what would you take someone in such a situation in any other country? I just don't think being in Italy has anything to do with taking someone a gift of appreciation. Just don't buy her something you can buy in a museum gift shop, ha ha. Expensive chocolates are usually liked by most people -- buy them there, don't take them with you on the plane. I know some people who work in stores or various places, and they always like it when someone gives them something like that for appreciation. As long as it's a really good, expensive brand. Also, if they don't like it, they can always share that with other people, whereas some thing if you don't like them, you have to throw them away.

How about something from a museum in your home town or nearby city? I'm thinking something with the museum's name on it, like note pads or cards, or a scarf with a design taken from a work in that museum.

Obviously, Christina and I are on different wave lengths.

We had someone that helped us out on a trip to Rome once. We were very grateful and asked if there was anything he would like from the States. He wanted a carton of Lucky Strike cigarettes. I live in a really small town and it took me forever to find someone that still sold those, but he got them.



dave

Dave's story reminds me of a shop owner in Rome who helped us with a special purchase. I don't remember how the subject came up, but in our conversations with her I learned that her mother was nutty for a certain handsome movie star that I know through my job. When we got home, I asked the star to write a message to the mom on one of his 8x10 head shots, and I sent it off to the daughter. When the photo arrived, the mom went into a swoon, and the daughter cried over my remembering what to her were off-hand comments to a customer. We have a standing invitation to dinner at mom's house the next time we're in Rome.

If you do not have a museum in your area geowhiz (and I do like Jean's suggestions) when you go to meet her flowers are always welcomed by most Italians and of course so are good chocolates. And yes I know that some will say that she will need a vase for the flowers but no doubt the museum will having something she can use, or a sink which she can put them in until she leaves to go home.