What do you bring for a first time meet?

[Terran]

What do most foreign men bring to a first date when they meet a girl in Russia or Ukraine? Is it the same there as in North America (flowers, chocolates)? What is recommended?

[Faux Pas]

What do most foreign men bring to a first date when they meet a girl in Russia or Ukraine? Is it the same there as in North America (flowers, chocolates)? What is recommended?

Different strokes for different folks. What ever it is should represent how you feel about her and your perception of where you feel the budding relationship is. Some do perfume, some apparel (both very risky) some do some insignificant jewelery some do significant jewelery.

I recommend you take a number of gifts. They needn't be expensive but, it's okay of they are. Something unique to your area, something unique to you. If you're meeting family and friends be sure to take something for them as well. There are endless suggestions in the archives. You might want to search there

[mendeleyev]

Avoid extremes: Nice but modest at first is a good rule, after all if you've never met in person you really can't judge the chemistry in person.

Another reason for modest at first is the principle of reciprocity, important to most families. You don't wish to embarrass them if they can't reciprocate in equal measure.

I don't usually advocate alcohol for a first meeting unless the gal is with you and you pick up a bottle of dinner wine that she approves.

 
Suggestions:

- Photo books, post cards, and travel guides from where you live (avoid calendars as the days of the week are formatted differently from the West).

- Pick up flowers locally, a nice bouquet for the lady and something nice but modest for her Mum.

- Chocolates are always welcomed, as are nice tinned cookies, etc. Russians are chocolate connoisseurs so a bag of Hershey's won't cut it, but something like Belgian chocolate will make you a hero. Note: you'll be buying chocolate in Russia to bring home to show your family how chocolate should really taste.

- Avoid gifts of clothing items (considered too personal by most) unless they're things like gloves, scarfs, etc. T-shirts and golf shirts with your state or city on them will be hits however.

- It is considered bad luck to give someone a gift of a knife, cutlery, etc so beware. If you did, tradition says they must "purchase" it from you either with a return gift or a few rubles.


If small children are in her extended family, take some small items (candy to Disney pens/pencils) and let your gal determine when and how to distribute those.

Leave the fine jewelry at home for a first visit.

[Mila]

Hi there,
Being an interpreter, I've seen all kinds of presents foreigners give on the first meeting, but to be honest with you, most of them don't give any presents at all, it is personal choice. But, to my mind, it is nice if you bring a nice bouquet of flowers for the meeting, but not yellow (this color means" separation"), so any other color would be great. Then, later, if your meetings go well and it is mutual, you can walk by the perfume store (by chance) and let her pick whatever she likes. This is my opinion and this is how I would do if I were you  
Good luck!

[Patagonie]

What you need to bring closely depends on your bond with the lady.
I mean if you are going to a blind date you don't have to buy a gift.
On an other hand if you have spent many weeks chatting, so of course you must buy gifts to her and perhaps prepare something for her relatives in case of the relationship is growing and you meet her family.
Buy nice but not expansive. Avoid to impress, avoid to buy a woman, avoid to do something which is not your court or your wallet, you are just burning your relationship for the future.
Advices given here by previous OP about which gifts to choose are nice. Read it.

Pat

[steste1122]

Maybe its because I am awesome, but I brought the lady I am visiting some t-shirts from my home state, some books in English-some more suitable for a womans taste (Nicholas Sparks-The Notebook, Mary Luis Alcott-Little Women) and some of my personal favorites for her to see my interests, a lotion/spray set from Victorias Secret, a nice bottle of parfume and a bag I picked up in the New York airport to present it all in because I was too late to properly gift wrap it before leaving.  However, I would be cautious in buying perfumes and other scented items.  I only took the risk because I knew a little of her tastes.  She was amazed that somehow I managed to know everything she is passionate about and she loved it all.  But really, what woman does not love these things?

[noelscot]

What do most foreign men bring to a first date when they meet a girl in Russia or Ukraine? Is it the same there as in North America (flowers, chocolates)? What is recommended?

Why bring gifts to a stranger? What would Boris do? Lol.

[CDW]

What do most foreign men bring to a first date when they meet a girl in Russia or Ukraine? Is it the same there as in North America (flowers, chocolates)? What is recommended?

Bringing flowers into Russia/Ukraine from North America is illegal.  You need to buy them from local store. 

Anyway, I am the sort of guy who would bring gifts, regardless what others might say.  I must learn not to bring expensive gifts!!   

Now, in answer to your question:

As you are from Canada, do bring CANADAIAN gifts especially for the family.   A small flag, perhaps or a statue of Canadian Tower if you are from Toronto.

For the lady, perhaps a small perfume (not too expensive) or/and a soft toy.    (I buy the lady a dress from my fashion business because I have a very good taste of what they like - never had any problems)

[XMan]

What is recommended?

A positive attitude. 
Patience.
An open mind.

And as others have said, flowers are nice. 
IMO, something other than roses.

[CDW]

bring a nice bouquet of flowers for the meeting, but not yellow (this color means" separation"), so any other color would be great.

You leave out something !!   Always give out ODD number of flowers    1,3,5,7,9,etc !!!

[Spoon]

IMO if you already have a good rapport with the lady and explain that you understand it is customary to bring gifts for her and her family, Russian women will not be backwards in coming forward and will tell you what you can bring and give you ideas for her family.
A good woman will not ask for expensive items, but perhaps her favourite perfume or Chocolates. You can compliment it like the others have said with small books and souvenirs from your local area/Country.

[Terran]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think flowers are the best idea. I am already bringing a few items for family, but nothing expensive.

I know when you meet her family it is customary to not come empty handed. Anyone have sugguestions on what gifts should be brought when meeting her family for the first time?

[CDW]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think flowers are the best idea. I am already bringing a few items for family, but nothing expensive.

I know when you meet her family it is customary to not come empty handed. Anyone have sugguestions on what gifts should be brought when meeting her family for the first time?

Flowers for the mother

GO AND WATCH SOME ROMANTIC FILMS!!! 

[Ade]

What do most foreign men bring to a first date when they meet a girl in Russia or Ukraine? Is it the same there as in North America (flowers, chocolates)? What is recommended?

This;

A positive attitude. 
Patience.
An open mind.

If you hit it off, get her some flowers on the 2nd day. If it really goes well, buy her something nice to give her for the end of the trip; my wife to be had an old PDA that was on its last legs while I was there and as it was 8th March too I decided to get her a new one (she's a bit of a techy PDA geek so that went really well ). On the 2nd trip, bring her something you know she wants, not expensive, just something personal (and of course, by then you will know her favourite colour or perfume or thing to make the right choice).