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GIFT GIVING IN RUSSIA*-
Gift Giving Etiquette
BUSINESS GIFT GIVING /
PERSONAL GIFT GIVING
General Guidelines
Generally speaking, Russians take pleasure in giving and receiving gifts.
Be sure to bring an assortment of gifts, so that you will always have
something appropriate to give.
Cheaper gifts
do not have to be wrapped, while more expensive ones should be.
Gifts for
children are usually opened in private, while gifts for adults are
generally opened in the presence of others. If your gift was a hit, you
will hear many 'thank-yous.'
Russians
spend a lot of money on gifts. Avoid giving gifts such as pencils, pens,
lighters (unless they are expensive ones), cheap wine or vodka, notebooks,
etc.
When invited
to a Russian home, bring a gift of chocolates, dessert items, good wine,
or other alcohol [try to select something other than vodka, which is
widely available].
Bringing a
bouquet of flowers (not too expensive though) for women you are visiting
(doesn't really matter how many of them are in the family you're visiting)
is a good idea. Make sure you have an odd number of flowers. Even numbers
usually are for funerals.
Gifts are
expected for social events, especially as “thank-yous” for private dinner
parties or overnight stays in someone's home. Thank-you notes and holiday
cards are not considered appropriate because they have no practical use.
If there are
children in the family, it is thoughtful acknowledge them with a small
gift, such as a toy or candy.
It is
considered bad luck to give a pregnant woman a baby gift until after the
baby is born.
Selecting Flowers
- In Russia,
flowers are a gift given almost exclusively for women. The only few
exceptions would be male teachers, doctors and visiting celebrities.
- If you are
visiting a family home, it is quite customary to bring along a bouquet of
flowers for a wife, sister or mother. These female relatives are likely to
be present at the time of your visit.
- Pink, cream-coloured,
orange, and blue flowers are rarely awarded any special meaning and, thus,
are quite acceptable selections.
- Avoid yellow
flowers [unless you picked them up yourself on a trip to the countryside].
Some white flowers should also be approached with caution.
- As in many
other countries, flowers are an essentially romantic gift. Red flowers,
especially in rich and dark shades, will be perceived as a display of love
or strong affection.
Appreciated Gifts
- wine or other
alcohol [try to select something other than vodka]
- fine
chocolates [when invited to a home]
- a food item
that is scarce
- towels,
cameras, watches,
- perfume,
cologne [as a thank-you for an overnight stay]
- clothing [as
a thank-you for an overnight stay]
*Ivanchuk, Sergei. Russia Business
Etiquette - Gift Giving. Executive Planet. 10 Aug. 2004
<http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-culture-in/132353385366.html>. |
Above: The flag of Russia
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