Gift-Giving in Kazakhstan

It's a good idea to have a few small gifts to hand - the Kazakhs have a long-standing tradition of hospitality, you will very probably be invited to someone's house on more than one occasion, and the giving of gifts is a marvellous icebreaker. Since there is hardly anything practical that cannot be bought at local markets, it is hard to find a surprise gift once in the country. Therefore, think ahead and bring food or drink specialities, or souvenirs and coffee-table books, from your own country - these will always be highly appreciated. "Real" coffee, which in most of Kazakhstan remains hard to get at affordable prices, is a welcome gift. Men tend to appreciate diaries, organizers and pens; women adore international brands of cosmetics. If all else fails, there's always a nice bouquet of flowers for the hostess, a bottle of cognac or French wine for the host and sweets for the children.