what gifts to take to Russia as thank you's?
 

I've read you should take some small items to give to Russians as a gift or a thank you. What types of items are appreciated and small enough to carry overseas? thank you

Hi<BR> I've been told that Bic disposable razors (for men and women) are welcomed.

Most of the items that you find in a market at home you will find in a market in Russia.<BR><BR>Things to take would be pictures of your family, postcards, or coffee table books with pictures of your home area.

The things that you can buy in a market here may be available in Russian markets, but many Russians cannot afford them. It depends on who the gift is for. When I went a couple of summers ago, we stayed with a group of college professors, an architect, and a civil engineer. In Moscow, they greatly appreciated pretty, small writing tablets like little address books, packages of plain writing paper, spices in plastic bottles, packages of flower seeds (many have country dachas where they plant small gardens)and lots of other every day things. They did enjoy picture books from our home state and postcards. It really depends on who you will be visiting. In more remote areas, they wanted the same kinds of things, but appreciated everything that we had to give away. We even gave away most of clothes, because the people who helped in various ways were very so needy.

I was last in Russia in 1989 with my parents, Linda and Edward. This was at the time of Glasnost and the Soviet people had few luxuries. We gave gifts such as soap, toilet paper, panty hose, and disposable razors. My mother gave a babushka a bar of Ivory soap and she started to cry, she was that moved. Things have changed since 1989, but I am sure these same small luxuries would go over well in Russia today. (Don't laugh about the toilet paper. Russian tp is no better than tree bark.)

When I was in Moscow what amazed me was how readily available almost anything was. I think the days of scarcity, even of foreign-made goods, is over. What I took, which seemed to be very appreciated, were coloring books for kids, key chains with famous destinations/landmarks in my state on them, postcards, etc. Many Russians I encountered were very curious about other places. I did take along a couple items that were unique, like some Evelyn and Crabtree soaps and some Burt's Bees products. I gave these to my guides, in addition to the tip for their services (don't forget them!) One person was insistent that we trade and I received a lithographed postcard of an historic building in St. Petersburg that I framed when I got back.

Powdered fruit drink mixes, candy, dried fruit, and such were appreciated when my daughter was there a couple years ago. The quality of their food cannot compare to ours.

Men's socks. I'm serious.

Those saying &quot;everything&quot; is available are correct but not affordable to the Russians, even though, for example, a pack of cigarettes may be the same price as we pay here. Women LOVE cosmetics and perfumes--very bright lipstick. Kids love Barbies. NBA T shirts, ball caps. Razors. And do take pictures of your family and your home. They are quite interested in the concept of a private home.

I agree with Gretchen's toiletries suggestion - some nice bottles of eau de cologne, fancy soaps, or nice-smelling body lotion mke very nice gifts and are outrageously expensive in Russia. Also mini Russian-English dictionaries are really fun and can dramatically increase your communication! CD-ROMS are another idea.

Thanks so much for the information. I plan to take a few gifts to give to guides and people I meet that help me with directions, etc. I'd like to be respectful of the people and thankful for kindness during my travels.

I think postcards and &quot;useful&quot; gifts like toiletries, cosmetics, t-shirts are good. While these are items are certainly available they are rather expensive for average Russians.

I just remembered one thing that we took that was easy to carry and made good little gifts for people--sample sizes of cosmetics. Someone had given us a bag of Mary Kay or Avon lipsticks, and other sample size items. They loved them. If you have a Dollar Tree or such in your town, the little pocket size memo notebooks come in some really pretty patterns.

Yes, socks. as one of the above posts suggested. Russian guys in my hostel room in Germany ramsacked my packpack and only stole my SOCKS!

I think the first thing to think about when packing gifts for distribution in such a manner is, how would you feel if you received such an item? Think of someone from another country asking how to get to the train station in your home city. If he gave you a postcard with a picture of his city, you would probably be delighted; if they gave you a razor or a bar of soap, you would probably be confused at the very least, and possibly offended. Of course if you are giving something for a host whom you know (and who expressed the need for, say, cat food) that is a different matter entirely.

Cultural sensitivity is much appreciated in Russia especially, even amongst poorer people.

Marc David Miller
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I understand they go crazy for Levi's ballcaps; also hear you should take a wad of one dollar bills for tips. It really is kinda tragic considering the hardships most of these &quot;ordinary&quot; not in-any-kind-of-politcal-power-position folks have endured and for more than a few years so a little largesse and kindness on our part probably goes a long, long way.

Hi Marc,

I had not intention to offend anyone, nor did I consider my suggestion culturally insensitive. I have been told, by more than one person, that little things that we take for granted are much more difficult to come by in Russia.

I hadn't thought of making a gift of a single disposable razor, although a bar of sandlewood olive-oil soap would, I think, make a nice little gift.

Gift Ideas: Victoria Secret lotions/shower gels -- they have small and gift sizes so it's comfortable to take w/you and you can really give it toanyone w/out offending them.
T-shirts from your city/state -- great souvenir
Candy -- snickers, hersheys -- they are expensive for an aver. russian
Make up will probably be harder b/c of the color, but nail polish for women you can do.
Regarding pictures -- while people definitely enjoy looking at them, it won't be a good gift for a russian. And while coffee table books make a great gift, they are heavy and can be purchased in the local book stores. We actually bought some there last Summer.
And I have to agree w/those who said that you can buy everything there, and the prices are the same as in the US, but once again, it is expensive for an ave. russian. I also noticed how greateful people were when we left them a large tip. I didnt' bring a lot of gifts w/me when I went last time, but a nice tip will go a long way, considering ave. salary is $150-200 a month.

A decent tip for services rendered is always appreciated..in Russia and everywhere else...and it says volumes about the person who gives the tip, too..not only to the recipient but also to the tip-giver.

Cosmetics and toiletries. The women in Russia seem to enjoy very bright makeup. Think eighties.