Gifts for Dad?

[aikorob]

Hey folks,
I am going back to Odessa next month for another meeting with a lady. I need some suggestions for a gift for her father. He doesn't smoke or drink. He is a retired building engineer, but he still works part time maintenance/engineering in a medical clinic; if that gives ya'll any ideas.

[catzenmouse]

Hey folks,
I am going back to Odessa next month for another meeting with a lady. I need some suggestions for a gift for her father. He doesn't smoke or drink. He is a retired building engineer, but he still works part time maintenance/engineering in a medical clinic; if that gives ya'll any ideas.

A good quality pocket knife (don't forget to get a coin in return), a multi pliers, precision screwdriver set, a small Dremmel set (with converter), drafting supplies (if he does design type stuff). Just a few ideas off the top of my head that might be appropriate.

Ken

[jb]

A Leatherman and a Mag-Lite are usually appreciated.

[Goombah]

Depends on what you want to spend, by my future father-in-law was thrilled when I offered to buy him a circular saw.  This is something he was allowed to pick out - you wouldn't want to buy one here and take it there:  wrong power/cords/etc.  I seem to recall it setting me back about $200.

Kevin

[Michelangelo]

Hey folks,
I am going back to Odessa next month for another meeting with a lady. I need some suggestions for a gift for her father. He doesn't smoke or drink. He is a retired building engineer, but he still works part time maintenance/engineering in a medical clinic; if that gives ya'll any ideas.

A good quality pocket knife (don't forget to get a coin in return)
[/quote]The coin thing is interesting....I gave the father a knife and he insisted on giving me a coin...insisted!  What's that about ?

[aikorob]

Never  give a knife!  The folklore is that  the relationship will be severed; if the receipiant gives you a coin, then he has "bought" the knife, and all is well.

JB- I have already given the small Leatherman/Mag light combo. On the first trip I took small presents; since I was not sure if things would go far enough to meet the family, I wanted to be prepared. I didn't get introduced, but that was only because of schedule conflicts.

[Michelangelo]

Never give a knife! The folklore is that the relationship will be severed; if the receipiant gives you a coin, then he has "bought" the knife, and all is well.

Yes, now I remember!  It seems like a manly thing to do, but not in Russia!:shock:

[KenC]

Hmmm?  My FIL loved his mega Swiss Army knife and I love the hand tooled knife with sheath that he got for me.  No coins were exchanged and I am still married and in good relations with him.

My FIL also loved his cordless drill, watch and Mag-lite.  (Just something about those Mag-lites!)

KenC

[aikorob]

OK--a slight clarification; N. say her Dad drinks "very small". So what about a bottle of Wild Turkey? For those of you who have carried spirits over there, what is the best method?

[jb]

American whiskey is not very popular over there.  Bourbon is considered too sweet, if you give a gift of booze, better to be Scotch whiskey, or a nice brandy.

[catzenmouse]

American whiskey is not very popular over there. Bourbon is considered too sweet, if you give a gift of booze, better to be Scotch whiskey, or a nice brandy.

Canadian (Rye) whisky is well liked there (along with Canadian cigarettes). The cigarettes were a bigger hit with some than the booze I took. Kahlua was a big hit with the mother and sister.

Ken