Son-of-a-Weizen Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Seems to me that I've read something/sometime/someplace around here by a poster who has done business over there. If a consultant (non govt.) has scheduled several days of meetings with high (very) level Kazak govt. officials, would it be appropriate to present a gift? Suggestions? Several fine bottles of CA Cabernet perhaps? Other? A Shelly Manne K2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Kazakhstan is an amazingly non-former-Soviet-feeling place. Women seem to love black miniskirts there. Off topic, but that was my take-away impression. Actually, I'll take that back; it is on-topic. The reason it's relevant is that Kazakhs are predominantly Muslim (Sunni, I believe) but my impression was that they were not radically strict. If they had been, a gift of alcohol might have been a bad idea on its face. I'm not so sure. Perhaps an equally large hazard would be that the tastebuds of a former pseudo-Soviet government official would be so blunted by years of Russian Vodka, that it would be difficult to distinguish cabernet from sterno. You might want to pick something cheap, with a label that says California prominently and looks slick, regardless of actual quality. A bottle for the 'secretary' would also seem a good investment. (Hint: she'll be wearing a black miniskirt.) As for the broader question about giving gifts to a person in this position, I'm sure it is 'customary' on some level. I'm sorry that my answer is flip/offhand in many ways. There is an off chance that a gift of alcohol would offend, and there are certainly restrictions about bringing alcohol into the country (though not outright prohibitions). It's hard to imagine anyone being terribly offended. Alma Ata is FULL of bars and clubs. And casinos. But it might be prudent to consider an option like a nice photo book of San Francisco or New York, or a famous sports team logoed item. Something that couldn't be taken for a bribe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 But it might be prudent to consider an option like a nice photo book of San Francisco or New York, or a famous sports team logoed item. ...but not the Washington Nationals or Texas Rangers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Just don't mention Borat. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Excellent suggestion, BeBop! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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