Not quite a language question but I'd really appreciate the help!

[superslayer18.livejournal.com]

Druz'ya!

Exactly a week from tomorrow, I will be in St. Petersburg for 5 weeks to complete my second year of study. Today, everyone from my program (Yale in St. Petersburg) found out where and with whom we would be living.

I know that it is polite and a good idea to buy gifts to give to my hosts, and although I do have a few ideas, I wonder if a proper Russian might give me a few good ideas as to what Russians might want from the States.

I'll be living a few blocks away from Nevsky Prospect with a family that consists of:

1) The husband, who is a theater critic
2) The wife, who is an English/German instuctor
3 & 4) Their twin boy and girl, who are 12 years old

So far I am leaning towards books... but I've been told that really stereotypical "American" things, like baseball caps and college t-shirts are good gifts... but if that person was telling me wrong, then I'd feel like a moron giving my hosts things they would never want! I also hear that if buy alcohol from the states to give, Russians love bourbon.

Also, are there any general good ideas of things not to do/say that would be specific to Russians... things that we might overlook in America or not consider rude that Russians would see as uzhasno? I don't mean things that are obvious to everyone (like don't throw up on them, don't make loud obnoxious noises, etc), but things that would be really easy for an American to slip up if not told otherwise.

Thank you so much if you can give me any ideas/tips!

Comments

[jadore-vin.livejournal.com]

>>And if this hasn't been stressed already, take pictures of your friends and family to share with them. EXCELLENT start for language practice and ice-breaking in general.

Definitely true. Bring the most random ones you can find. Girl scout ceremonies, your mom in the 70s with an afro, karate tournaments, marching band festival, prom... all that good stuff.