Gifts for your visit

[rw_recruiter]

I am curious as to what other members brought as gifts to the women and families. What was well received? What is something that made them smile?

For father I was thinking a nice bottle of American bourbon. Her older brother I have already sent a gift to, but have another in mind. For Inessa I thought the gift of travel or some nice American designer brands would make her happy.

[AKA Luke]

I am curious as to what other members brought as gifts to the women and families. What was well received? What is something that made them smile?

For father I was thinking a nice bottle of American bourbon. Her older brother I have already sent a gift to, but have another in mind. For Inessa I thought the gift of travel or some nice American designer brands would make her happy.

Don't worry about taking gifts with you. The ladies in Odessa are known to be very peculiar in their shopping tastes. Many will oblige a shopping trip or 2 given the opportunity...

[AvHdB]

Cars, with names that begin with M are gratefully accepted, Masserati, Mercedes or if you are frugal Mini.

But why not bring maple syrup, the uses are numerous and it is superior to what is local.

If a relationship develops buy her an orchid, in a nice vase or pot. 

[rosco]

Meeting a lady for the first time and having communicated with her on many an occasion - perfume. You cant go wrong with perfume and you get to chose a scent that you like.

Presents for the family can vary but going over board with gifts for a woman and a family you may never see doesn't make sense. Go visit the girl first, hit it off then worry about the family. If you insist on taking stuff, make sure its thoughtful, inexpensive stuff from your own country.

[justadude]

I'm relatively new to this but more info might help. I will assume, as did other posters, apparently, that you are traveling to visit someone you have not yet met in person. I brought gifts on my first trip in December. On that trip I did have one particular woman I had planned to meet. I brought her some chocolate and wine from my home state. I think it was a good idea. She appreciated it. Her and I had a whirlwind relationship that ended badly.

This trip, I had no particular girl in mind. This trip is for several weeks. For the women I have met this time I don't think gifts from home would go over that well.

Disclaimer: I do not consider myself to be particularly successful at this endeavor, so take my experiences with a grain or two of salt at best.

[Volshe]

Cars, with names that begin with M are gratefully accepted, Masserati, Mercedes or if you are frugal Mini.

An apartment in Kiev won't hurt. Gold. Precious stones. Fur. A    A   

But, i am sure  maple syrup and a nice pot would do 

If seriously - perfume. If she doesn't like it (which will most probably be the case), she can give it to a friend on her BDay. The friend will forward it to someone else and so and so on. Hopefully, the perfume will last in their circle of friends for couple of years, as long as someone doesn't brake it by chance 

[Contrarian]

I am curious as to what other members brought as gifts to the women and families. What was well received? What is something that made them smile?

For father I was thinking a nice bottle of American bourbon. Her older brother I have already sent a gift to, but have another in mind. For Inessa I thought the gift of travel or some nice American designer brands would make her happy.

My go to gifts are the two t's. T shirts and tequila, but not in that order. 

[rw_recruiter]

Meeting a lady for the first time and having communicated with her on many an occasion - perfume. You cant go wrong with perfume and you get to chose a scent that you like.

Presents for the family can vary but going over board with gifts for a woman and a family you may never see doesn't make sense. Go visit the girl first, hit it off then worry about the family. If you insist on taking stuff, make sure its thoughtful, inexpensive stuff from your own country.

Agreed perfume is a decent option, but as Volshe says, it can be hit or miss. I have already spoken to her brother several times so assume we will meet if he is able to take leave. But as others say, we may not click initially and it goes downhill from there.

brought her some chocolate and wine from my home state. I think it was a good idea. She appreciated it. Her and I had a whirlwind relationship that ended badly.

Thanks dude. Chocolate is not a bad idea, but not something local to where I live. Do they have good chocolate in Eastern Europe?

Sorry to hear it did not work out between you.

[dcguyusa]

Do they have good chocolate in Eastern Europe?

The current president of Ukraine is referred to as the "chocolate king" since he owns "Roshen" which is a confectionary company.  Do not know about the quality of their candies.  Swiss chocolates have a good reputation (such as Lindt).  A good chocolate brand in the US is from See's Candies.  If anyone remembers the "I love Lucy" TV episode about Lucy working in the candy factory, she was given an intro to the candy packaging process at See's.   

[rw_recruiter]

Do they have good chocolate in Eastern Europe?

The current president of Ukraine is referred to as the "chocolate king" since he owns "Roshen" which is a confectionary company.  Do not know about the quality of their candies.  Swiss chocolates have a good reputation (such as Lindt).  A good chocolate brand in the US is from See's Candies.  If anyone remembers the "I love Lucy" TV episode about Lucy working in the candy factory, she was given an intro to the candy packaging process at See's.   

Ah yes, Poroshenko does own candy factories. When I think chocolate I think of Belgium. Sees is excellent btw, always loved their candy.

[Volshe]

 Do they have good chocolate in Eastern Europe?

Croatian "Kraš" is excellent (albeit it's technically SE Europe ) and i personally ADORE some Russian production, for example this "Мишка Косолапый" (http://russiapedia.rt.com/of-russian-origin/mishka-kosolapiy/), and this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptasie_mleczko

They go greatly with strong black tea (the candies are served instead of sugar) 

The rest of EE production... Not really  (imho, this is really not meant to offend anyone, just personal preference ...) 

[rw_recruiter]

Croatian "Kraš" is excellent (albeit it's technically SE Europe )

Looks like quite a bit of history behind this chocolatier.   http://www.kras.hr/en/history

I have heard Croatia is a wonderful place to visit with excellent seafood and coastline. Not a common destination for us in the Western Hemisphere, but one that has much natural beauty.

[AvHdB]

Leonidas

A rocker (general) from Greece. - In fact the chocolate is from Belgium  Wonderful Chocolate.

[el_guero]

REAL PEANUT BUTTER. No added sugar or coconut oil. They have that in limited quantities.

Zip lock bags.

Good Electronics.

Bring something from your state. A tour guide book. Or a coffee table type book with photos.

Wayne

[el_guero]

PS Great Sea food, but I would recommend that for a later trip.

Also, corn tortillas if you want to cook Mexican for yourself while there.

[Markje]

Good Electronics.

I wouldn't recommend that on first date.

Also be aware that not all countries have the same electronic plugs or power-system.

USA uses 110V i believe, whilst most of Europe + Ukraine uses 220V.

[rw_recruiter]

Good Electronics.

I wouldn't recommend that on first date.

Also be aware that not all countries have the same electronic plugs or power-system.

USA uses 110V i believe, whilst most of Europe + Ukraine uses 220V.

But most modern electronics are fine with either as far as I am aware, no? All you would need is an adapter?

[Markje]

Good Electronics.

I wouldn't recommend that on first date.

Also be aware that not all countries have the same electronic plugs or power-system.

USA uses 110V i believe, whilst most of Europe + Ukraine uses 220V.

But most modern electronics are fine with either as far as I am aware, no? All you would need is an adapter?

In both Europe and USA it is required by law to mention all possible input/output values of the powerblock of the device. You can check there which electronic nets it will fit on.

Most of my appliances have 110V/220V on the power block meaning i can use them both locally and in the USA. For things like smart phones and laptops its even easier, just buy a separate charger if the supplied one doesn't fit.

Also be aware that Cyrillic keyboards / Russian language manuals may not be available locally (laptops, mobile phones, etc.). (Did you even consider this fact?)

Also , most mobile phones sold are 'locked' to a region. In Netherlands I know how to get around that but its another example of things you need to take into account buying electronic gadgets for foreigners.

So many pitfalls I definitely wouldn't recommend electronics for beginners. And most certainly not on first-date scenario's.

Mark.

[rw_recruiter]

Good Electronics.

I wouldn't recommend that on first date.

Also be aware that not all countries have the same electronic plugs or power-system.

USA uses 110V i believe, whilst most of Europe + Ukraine uses 220V.

But most modern electronics are fine with either as far as I am aware, no? All you would need is an adapter?

In both Europe and USA it is required by law to mention all possible input/output values of the powerblock of the device. You can check there which electronic nets it will fit on.

Most of my appliances have 110V/220V on the power block meaning i can use them both locally and in the USA. For things like smart phones and laptops its even easier, just buy a separate charger if the supplied one doesn't fit.

Also be aware that Cyrillic keyboards / Russian language manuals may not be available locally (laptops, mobile phones, etc.). (Did you even consider this fact?)

And most certainly not on first-date scenario's.

Correct. Almost all devices these days are dual voltage. That worry is mostly a thing of the past. Gifting a woman a Dell 7000 series or brand new iphone on the first date is another matter.

The keyboards I am aware of, I am a tech headhunter. I speak to Russian and Ukrainian developers frequently.

[rw_recruiter]

When is the last time anyone read a training manual? 

[AvHdB]

When is the last time anyone read a training manual? 

Two weeks ago, a new furling system, I still managed to wrap the control line backwards on the drum, oops.

Ever buy flat pack furniture from IKEA?

[rw_recruiter]

When is the last time anyone read a training manual? 

Two weeks ago, a new furling system, I still managed to wrap the control line backwards on the drum, oops.

Ever buy flat pack furniture from IKEA?

There are exceptions but with electronics I do not know of anyone that has read a manual in years. If a woman in her twenties cannot figure out how to use an iphone or tablet there is something wrong with her.

[Markje]

When is the last time anyone read a training manual? 

When all else fails, read the manual.

[andrewfi]

Life is too short to waste time pretending to be some kind of Alpha by ignoring the information provided by the manufacturer.

[Markje]

Life is too short to waste time pretending to be some kind of Alpha by ignoring the information provided by the manufacturer.

I still read the manual on Red Hat Enterprise Linux sometimes, but thats a whole different ballgame than your household manuals