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Title: An opinion about Valentine’s Day. Post by: Jack on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM Over the past few days and week have had some clients wanting to deliver flowers or candy to ladies for Valentines Day. And I ask, Why?
Although things are bound to change in the future, today Valentines Day is not such a big deal in the FSU. Most ladies have no idea what is Valentine’s Day. Most ladies are NOT expecting anything unless someone American man has previously sent them something. I guess if you have one special lady you are trying to impress this is another opportunity to do so but if you are writing several ladies, hoping to meet several ladies in the spring (good for you!), there is no sense in buying flowers for a lot of ladies you have not met. I have seen recently several different agencies and websites saying “ don’t forget about Valentines Day and sending flowers to your special ladies”. Guys, that’s agency marketing. These agencies and individuals want to put it in your head that you should not forget about Valentines Day so you will buy and deliver more flowers and gifts. The day you must not forget is March 8th, International Day of Woman. This is the day you want to send your lady something. March 8th is, and has been, a close resemblance of Valentines Day for ladies from the FSU. And a bit of advice to any of you who do send something on Valentines Day. If you send anything on Valentines Day, you had best not forget to send something on March 8th. Title: Re: An opinion about Valentine’s Day. Post by: Zink on February 10, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
Many of them know. From what I've seen it's always good to give flowers and candy. When my wife and I go to visit her friends and relatives we take along something small as a gift. And when they come to visit us they return the favour. It's a russian thing. They give gifts continually. Many of the gifts get recirculated. It doesn't need to be diamond rings and expensive wine, just something to show that you were thinking of them. Just a card would probably make her happy. They don't understand why people here are so greedy that they can't give anything. Besides don't we want to open them up to our western holidays and traditions? Of course when an agency can sell a 2 dollar rose or box of chocolates for 100 bucks including delivery... That's a little different. Title: I agree.. Post by: Ryan on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
I don't make a big deal out of it with my girlfriend of over two years. I call her and talk with her but I do that anyway... I of course tell her I love her and congratulate her. Ya know people in Russia for the most part are used to getting calls congratulating them etc. And not always the big gifts. I mean it's nice and all and if she were here in this country I would get her something. For now I call. My dream is that when we are living together that everyday of out life I will write her a little note. I will hide them around the house in places that I know she be going into.. Like the medicine cabinet or the tea can. Something like that.. Everyday I want to do something they way I figure it I only have about 40-50 more years of life why not try real hard to make it the best years ever. In this way I agree with Ken more chances to tell her you love her the better. Title: Re: I agree.. Post by: Zoidberg on February 10, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to I agree.. , posted by Ryan on Feb 9, 2004
The first time I visted Sveta I left some notes and cards all over when I left. She was very touched by it. When I visted her again I left notes each day and she was so happy each time she found them. When I left I did the same thing. I get home and in my suitcase was a very nice note from her then in my pants pocket was another and my shirt pocket, etc... :) It was very nice. I know I will never wait for holidays like V-Day or woman's day to show her I love her. Everyday will be that special holiday. Last night we were taking and she asked me about Valentines Day. She told me not to send anything and it cost too much. She said to save the money for when we are together so we can have a special dinner together. Z Title: Any excuse........ Post by: KenC on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
to show your affection to a woman that may become your future wife, is OK by me. KenC Title: perhaps it's why she is still only a girlfriend after 2 years..n/t Post by: Crimea Joe on February 10, 2004, 05:00:00 AM Title: Re: Any excuse........ Post by: Jack on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM Title: She'll be hoping for something Post by: Pordzhik on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
It's the thought that counts http://cards.mail.ru/event-new.html?id=80280 www.virtualflowers.ru Title: E-mail a Valentine.. Post by: tfcrew on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
..and 'sugar-coat' a letter. Gets there right away. Should work just fine. ;) Title: Re: An opinion about Valentine’s Day. Post by: old guy on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
Something I read which sort of backs up what Jack said.... http://www.gift-lady.com/holidays.htm Title: Not so true Post by: Crimea Joe on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
Hey Jack, you know I hate to disagree with you but.. Here in Crimea there are ads in all the papers for Valentine Parties, specials on gifts, etc. No doubt it is not like March 8, but it is important. The women expect something more than a card for sure. If you can not admit it you are too cheap to afford a Russian wife. Title: Kherson, too, Joe Post by: MarkInTx on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Not so true, posted by Crimea Joe on Feb 9, 2004
FWIW, Valentine's Day is celebrated quite a bit in Kherson, too. Even in Kindergarten, kids are passing out Valentines and taking flowers to teachers, etc. Boyfriends are giving their girlfriends flowers, they have contests in school to see who gets the most valentines, it's advertised on TV, in newspapers, etc, etc. Guess you agency owners have been pretty successful with your hype, Joe ;-) ... Let's face it... flowers are big in the FSU. Even men expect to get flowers on their birthdays over there. It seems like any excuse to get or receive flowers will gain acceptance. They have a holiday for almost everything... Holiday for Doctors, Holiday for Ecologists, Holiday for Teachers... and on this day, the people in that profession will get... you guessed it... flowers... So, IMHO, I would say it all depends on the situation, as to whether a lady would expect flowers. Hard to give blanket advice in this situation, I would think... Frankly, I wouldn't be sending flowers to a woman (or women) I had never met... but if someone were sending flowers for birthdays and Woman's Day now... and especially if he started the whole correspondence by sending flowers (while getting a picture to verify she existed...) with his first letter, then the woman might wonder what's going on if Valentines day came and went without some recognition... IMHO Title: Welcome back... Post by: LP on February 11, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Kherson, too, Joe, posted by MarkInTx on Feb 9, 2004
...I see nothing has changed, the shots may be subtler but they're as cheap as ever. No wait, even more so under the circumstances. Why am I not surprised? Lemme try one too: Flowers in Kherson? On my trips to Kherson I never saw a single flower, I left with the definate impression only weeds grew in that town. Guess I shoulda been there on V day huh? Btw, the least you could've done was acknowledged Patrick and those who voted you back, it wasn't exactly a landslide you know. Lol, and you call me arrogant... Oh well, just to show you I'm a nice guy standby for a gift anyway. Title: Any excuse to celebrate Post by: Pordzhik on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Kherson, too, Joe, posted by MarkInTx on Feb 9, 2004
and empty a few bottles. Last summer I got caught up in an eve of the storming of Bastille day celebration in Kiev. Bastille day itself wasn't kind to me. Title: Re: Not so true Post by: John F on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Not so true, posted by Crimea Joe on Feb 9, 2004
My wife is from "Krim". She had never heard of Valentines Day until after coming here in 2000 and I brought home Valentines "goodies". Title: Re: Not so true Post by: Jack on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Not so true, posted by Crimea Joe on Feb 9, 2004
Joe, it's ok to disagree. That's one of the many things that what makes this Russian discussion board unique and special. Joe, look at who is placing these ads in the newspapers you are referring too? Companies selling flowers, cards, candies? Ten years ago ladies of the FSU did not know what Valentines Day was. With more and more FSU flower companies, agencies, promoting Valentines Day it's only a matter of time before all guys will be buying flowers on Feb. 14 and three weeks later on March 8th. Just as we introduce MacDonalds, we also introduce Valentines Day. During my own pursuit Joe I did not send flowers to ladies in the FSU on Valentines Day, they didn't even know about it, but I sure did on March 8th. Once married to a Russian woman there is no getting away from it, flowers on 2-14, flowers on 3-8, geeez, I think I need to get into the flower business! Title: Re: Re: Jack... that's what capitalism does Post by: wsbill on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Not so true, posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
It creates a event for people to spend their money, Marketing 101 advertising....Works. Just tell your EE girl Valentines day is for fairy's, men in drag... Doubt if she'll want to be apart of that. Title: Re: Re: Not so true Post by: nautilus on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Not so true, posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
The more sophisticated ladies will be aware of Valentine's day, but most of them will not, especially in the provinces. March 8th IS A MAJOR HOLIDAY, though. It is not an exact equivalent of the Valentine's day, but rather a combination of Valentine's day, mother's day, grandmother's day, secretary's day, etc. It is a day when a man acknowledges all women in his life and where appropriate gives them gifts. In other words, if your relationship is progressed enough, you may send a card or a small gift to your mother-in-law on March 8th - major brownie points :) An equivalent for men is February 23 - women are expected to give gifts/ presents to their husbands, fathers, etc. Having said this, I would not say that it is appropriate to buy major gifts on any sort of a holiday to a woman you barely know. Don't overdo it. BTW, the origin of the holiday is the birthday of the German communist lady Klara Tsetkin (sp?). In case anyone cares. Title: February 23rd Post by: Pordzhik on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Re: Not so true, posted by nautilus on Feb 9, 2004
Defenders of the Motherland day, When the missus buys me flowers. Title: Re: An opinion about Valentine’s Day. Post by: RW on February 09, 2004, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to An opinion about Valentine’s Day., posted by Jack on Feb 9, 2004
Yes, March 8th is by all means more important (though my husband still forgets it - he says he is getting robbed with March 8th + Mother's Day :) But I would imagine for a woman in Russia who is still corresponding it would be very important... A card for Valentine's Day would be more than sufficient (IMHO, but it's always up to an individual). |