bringing gifts to relatives & friends -- strange requests?
May 17, 2004, 10:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,447
bringing gifts to relatives & friends -- strange requests?
I have to admit to travelling light and enjoying staying with my relatives. I often will call them and ask if they have any requests from Seattle or the US.
My mom always wants halibut, my aunt -- emergen-c (vitamin drink). No biggie and I'm happy to do it.
Now I am off for a trip to the homeland and my bags are full of:
ziplock bags (300)
lemon pepper (costco sized)
knorr chicken stock cubes
really bad lipsticks
small pill boxes and gift bags
centrum vitamins
vitamin c fizzy drinks
I have very little room for my own clothes! However, I know that the housewives of northern Teheran will all have new ziplock bags to marinate their lemon peppered chicken kabobs.
Anyone else have any good "please bring me" requests?
My mom always wants halibut, my aunt -- emergen-c (vitamin drink). No biggie and I'm happy to do it.
Now I am off for a trip to the homeland and my bags are full of:
ziplock bags (300)
lemon pepper (costco sized)
knorr chicken stock cubes
really bad lipsticks
small pill boxes and gift bags
centrum vitamins
vitamin c fizzy drinks
I have very little room for my own clothes! However, I know that the housewives of northern Teheran will all have new ziplock bags to marinate their lemon peppered chicken kabobs.
Anyone else have any good "please bring me" requests?
May 17, 2004, 10:53 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
Someone living in Paris requested Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil, and some bath soaps they couldn't find (I forgot the brand).
Remarkable what people miss, huh?
Remarkable what people miss, huh?
May 17, 2004, 11:42 am
#4
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,755
We have visited friends living in Pakistan and in Turkey. Both families have children. In each case, we were given lengthy shopping lists. Common items I remember for both:
- macaronia and cheese
- cheerios
- M&Ms
May 17, 2004, 12:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NOC/LAX
Posts: 432
my friend in Scotland wanted loads of Big Red gum and teriyaki beef jerky.
and before In 'n Out expanded to Northern California, my friends at Stanford always wanted double-doubles and fries. they never seemed to mind that by the time i got there everything was room temperature and soggy. go figure.
and before In 'n Out expanded to Northern California, my friends at Stanford always wanted double-doubles and fries. they never seemed to mind that by the time i got there everything was room temperature and soggy. go figure.
May 17, 2004, 12:19 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: HHonors Silver
Posts: 4,030
I was once asked to procure a food processor (IIRC) on my way through AMS so a friend could carry it back to Teheran on his next trip. I balked when he later asked me bring home a vacuum cleaner from Selfriges...
Another friend asked for a refill for a specific brand and type of pen (found it at Harrod's ) and later wanted me to scour south London for a specific Thule accessory (but I do know when to say no...).
Another friend asked for a refill for a specific brand and type of pen (found it at Harrod's ) and later wanted me to scour south London for a specific Thule accessory (but I do know when to say no...).
May 17, 2004, 12:29 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: FCA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 926
Cognac
My cousins in Norway are always happy to get some quality booze, given how much they have to pay for it in country.
My cousin's neighbor in Norway asked me to get a part for his broken toilet in his RV. He couldn't track it down in Europe but I had no problem finding it at a local RV place (first and last time I've ever been in one of those . . . ).
My cousin's neighbor in Norway asked me to get a part for his broken toilet in his RV. He couldn't track it down in Europe but I had no problem finding it at a local RV place (first and last time I've ever been in one of those . . . ).
May 17, 2004, 12:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Celia Cruz, you live forever in our hearts.
Posts: 2,052
I had more than one request to bring tools to Mexico, including drills and saws. They have Ace Hardware there, but the prices are twice what they are here. Also, car repair manuals.
May 17, 2004, 1:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NY
Posts: 898
Originally Posted by Analise
I am always asked to bring bagels. Talk about bulky but they are very much appreciated so it's well worth it.
Something about the NY water.
Originally Posted by CozumelJen
They have Ace Hardware there, but the prices are twice what they are here.
Last edited by ljp99; May 17, 2004 at 1:06 pm
May 17, 2004, 1:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: PVD
Posts: 269
As a child growing up in CCS, Venezuela I was always begging any family member who came down from the US to bring Pop Tarts and Cap'n Crunch - would make a box last a loooong time. Kinda bulky so I wouldn't get that many.
Now I can have all I want.... if my partner would allow them in the house... which he doesn't...
Now I can have all I want.... if my partner would allow them in the house... which he doesn't...