A woman with whom I have been corresponding for almost a month asked me to send her a gift for Old New Year. I know in most western cultures it would be considered very rude to ask somebody else for a gift, but I'm not sure if this is the case in Eastern European (specifically Ukrainian) culture.
Here is a direct quote from her email:
"Do you know that at night of 13th to 14th of January we celebrate Old New Year and it is qualified as a big holiday as well? So, I am dreaming that your desire to make me feel special for you will show itself in the form of a nice present that I find under the New Year tree. I am a woman who really needs to feel your care and attention and who wants to be felt special and dear."
Should this give me pause for concern, or is it likely she is just testing the water to see if I am serious? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Okeydokey, then. Thanks for the advice. Are presents usually exchanged on Old New Year? I was under the impression that January 1 is typically the day for exchanging presents in the FSU.
A few weeks ago I offered to send a New Year present to the other girl with whom I've been corresponding, and she declined, stating that she would rather wait until we know each other better. I think I'll focus my attention on her from now on.
FG,
Father Frost delivers the presents at midnight 31 December/01 January. There is no traditional present giving at any other Christmas or New Year time.
Tell her you'll buy her a packet of condoms and you'll bring them with you when you visit her :)