![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Snoozin on May 30, 2005, at 12:11:53
Hookay,
I am going with my Egyptian boyfriend to Egypt next week. I'm staying with his sister; he's staying at his own apartment over there. While apparently it's not a custom to give a hostess gift there, like it is here, I still want to bring something for her, for putting up with a weird American for a week or so. :-)
Any suggestions? They love all things American. Ideally, I'd like to get something the whole family would like (17 and 19 year old girls, 6 year old boy, and husband). Samira, boyfriend's sister, is 43, and an accountant, if that helps. Very modern, educated family. They do not drink.
Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Susan J
Posted by Spriggy on May 30, 2005, at 16:35:54
In reply to Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt, posted by Snoozin on May 30, 2005, at 12:11:53
I was thinking of something with an American flag on it.
I have a huge wooden hanging American flag hanging on my wall for decor.
There are lots of Americana decor you could chose from.
Either that or a box of Krispy Kremes' are my pick. LOL
Posted by TamaraJ on May 30, 2005, at 18:29:27
In reply to Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt, posted by Snoozin on May 30, 2005, at 12:11:53
Perhaps you could have a look around for some kind of knick knack made by a local artisan. Something like hand-made place-mats and napkins or candles are nice. Something for the whole family that might be nice is a hand-crafted chess set. I have seen some nice ones around. Wouldn't mind getting one myself.
How exciting for you to be going to Egypt to meet your boyfriend's family! Hope you have a really nice time.
> Hookay,
>
> I am going with my Egyptian boyfriend to Egypt next week. I'm staying with his sister; he's staying at his own apartment over there. While apparently it's not a custom to give a hostess gift there, like it is here, I still want to bring something for her, for putting up with a weird American for a week or so. :-)
>
> Any suggestions? They love all things American. Ideally, I'd like to get something the whole family would like (17 and 19 year old girls, 6 year old boy, and husband). Samira, boyfriend's sister, is 43, and an accountant, if that helps. Very modern, educated family. They do not drink.
>
> Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks!
>
> Susan J
Posted by JenStar on May 30, 2005, at 23:24:50
In reply to Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt, posted by Snoozin on May 30, 2005, at 12:11:53
how about one or more of the following:
locally made chocolates or candies, wrapped in a cute package (must be made in America, of course!)
bag of Starbucks coffee beans to grind
T-shirts from your hometown or from a major US city (New York, Chicago, etc.)
If they read English, newly published best-selling books by American authors, or old favorites
pair of Levi jeaans
Nike gym shoes
DVD player or IPOD (if you have the money!) - and make sure you have the connectors so it will work with foreign plugs & electricity. I know this is a BIG present. I know some friends who go back to India every once in a while and they "have" to bring big things like VCR's and stuff to all the relatives. I'm not sure if this is right for your situation, though!
let us know what you decide!
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on May 30, 2005, at 23:29:19
In reply to Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt, posted by Snoozin on May 30, 2005, at 12:11:53
Would they like a board game like Monopoly or Clue or something? UNO cards?
Most girls like cute little purses and make-up (if they're allowed to wear makeup.) If they don't want "serious" makeup, maybe stuff like Bonne Belle lip smackers? I'm in my 30's and I STILL love those!
How about some nice bath soaps or lotions from Bath & Body Words or The Body Shop? (or similar). All females love that stuff! :)
Boys would probably like action figures, toy cars, or possibly even SpongeBob Sq. Pants stuff.
good luck!
JenStar
Posted by Snoozin on May 31, 2005, at 6:26:13
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt, posted by Spriggy on May 30, 2005, at 16:35:54
LOL! If only Kripy Kremes would make the 21 hour flight! :-)
Posted by Snoozin on May 31, 2005, at 6:27:16
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt » Snoozin, posted by TamaraJ on May 30, 2005, at 18:29:27
Chess set is a cool idea -- they all play backgammon. Maybe I could find an American made set.
Thanks for the good wishes!
Posted by Snoozin on May 31, 2005, at 6:29:09
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt » Snoozin, posted by JenStar on May 30, 2005, at 23:24:50
Starbucks coffee might work really well. they are all huge coffee drinkers, and chai drinkers, too, which they call "shay." As for the DVD players and MP3 stuff, my boyfriend hooks them up with that type of thing all the time. He's already got an *order* from the kids for MP3 players and black Puma athletic shoes, of all things. ;-)
Posted by Snoozin on May 31, 2005, at 6:30:48
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt » Snoozin, posted by JenStar on May 30, 2005, at 23:29:19
Apparently Samira likes face lotions and stuff. I was thinking of taking some of the small bottles of Keihl's lotion over to her/them. I *love* Kiehl's stuff, although the label is plain and they might think it's cheap. ?? Cuz it's not! :-)
thanks for all the good ideas!
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on May 31, 2005, at 15:31:28
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt » JenStar, posted by Snoozin on May 31, 2005, at 6:29:09
> Starbucks coffee might work really well. they are all huge coffee drinkers, and chai drinkers, too, which they call "shay."
Just reminded me of anecdote Snooze. Years ago my friend Saleem went to Pakistan where he'd lived until he was 6. He told me about the evening he'd sat on a mountain and was gazing at everything in his homeland, waiting for the proverbial epiphany.
"Well?" I asked.
"Nothing, he said, all I could think of was that I really missed coffee.. they don't have coffee there, only Sanka"
Posted by KaraS on May 31, 2005, at 22:43:45
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt » Snoozin, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on May 31, 2005, at 15:31:28
Posted by snoozin on June 1, 2005, at 9:46:22
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt » Snoozin, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on May 31, 2005, at 15:31:28
> > Starbucks coffee might work really well. they are all huge coffee drinkers, and chai drinkers, too, which they call "shay."
>
> Just reminded me of anecdote Snooze. Years ago my friend Saleem went to Pakistan where he'd lived until he was 6. He told me about the evening he'd sat on a mountain and was gazing at everything in his homeland, waiting for the proverbial epiphany.
> "Well?" I asked.
> "Nothing, he said, all I could think of was that I really missed coffee.. they don't have coffee there, only Sanka"<<Oh god that made me laugh so hard! :-) Starbucks it is. Even if they don't like it, if they are like me, they will think it's cool to try someone different, and see what it's like.
:-)
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on June 1, 2005, at 18:42:03
In reply to Re: Hostess Present for Someone in Egypt » Gabbi-x-2, posted by snoozin on June 1, 2005, at 9:46:22
> > > Starbucks coffee might work really well. they are all huge coffee drinkers, and chai drinkers, too, which they call "shay."
> >
> > Just reminded me of anecdote Snooze. Years ago my friend Saleem went to Pakistan where he'd lived until he was 6. He told me about the evening he'd sat on a mountain and was gazing at everything in his homeland, waiting for the proverbial epiphany.
> > "Well?" I asked.
> > "Nothing, he said, all I could think of was that I really missed coffee.. they don't have coffee there, only Sanka"
>
> <<Oh god that made me laugh so hard! :-)I'm glad you thought it was as funny as I did. anecdotes. He was my best friend for And an endless source of amusing anecdotes. Very gay. Very very gay. I Mean he had all the cliche mannerisms. I know many gay men who don't, but Saleem did. One day he was complaining about his roomate to my B.F and I.
He's got his hand on his hip, and says
"I don't believe it.. T washed the bathmat In the washer and hung it over the shower rack to dry.. It says right on the lable DRY CLEAN ONLY, and NOW streak! streak! there's dye all over the floor, can you believe it?"
Gerald and I looked at each other with the look that said "Who the hell would buy a dry clean only bathmat?"
Almost a year later Saleem decided to tell us he was gay, *snort* we just laughed and said "Uh Saleem.. *we* could have told you that"
He was totally surprised and asked "Well, like how?" and Gerald said.. "well actually I think the dry clean only bathmats were the biggest clue"
Starbucks it is. Even if they don't like it, if they are like me, they will think it's cool to try someone different, and see what it's like.Oh I think it's a great Idea, very American, but not like.. you know Mcdonalds.
I hope you have a fabulous time. I'm so envious.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.