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Sheri C. · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:52 pm Post subject: Gift Ideas for Male hosts

I am an American girl going to Moscow in September to teach for nine months. I am aware of the custom of bringing gifts to a house if I am invited for dinner, but haven't a clue what I could buy for a man, or male children. Women are easy to shop for, but I am lost when it comes to men. I'll appreciate any suggestions.

Seeker of truth · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 146

Sheri,
When I lived in Russia many years ago (1989), I tried to bring gifts from the West that they couldn't easily obtain themselves. More often than not, it was liquor of some kind. After seeing Russians do shots with a liter bottle of Cointreau, I started giving out liquor which was more difficult to do shots with (ie. stuff that burned on the way down the hatch). Usually, it was Southern Comfort.

A few other ideas are maps of the USA. T-shirts with various logos. Maybe even some bumper stickers. Walk through any American mall with lots of shops, and you'll get ideas.

Oh, one other idea, more for women than men, is a container of Old Bay Seasoning from the East Coast.