March 8th, International Women’s Day…
Just as in the rest of the world, you must know which holidays are important in the country that you live in. Because what is important in one country does not mean “Jack Squat” in the country that you may preside at the time…
However, there is also a special day for women in Russia and I suggest that you do not miss this day for that Russian woman, even if she is no longer living in Russia! It is called International Women’s Day—which is celebrated in the first month of spring on March 8th. One might associate March 8th in Russia with Mother’s Day in the West, although the Russian holiday celebrates all women, including mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and girlfriends and just plain any girls that you may know. The importance is the difference between life and death for Russian men…
Now you know the real reason for Russian men having a short life span… 🙂
Cut Flowers is the main gift, followed very close by and usually accompanied by Chocolates!
Chocolates is another interesting issue in Russia and just buying a Snickers, Mars Bar, American candy bar or any chocolate but the best chocolate, will get you in trouble…
That is: just a Hershey’s bar is not going to do it! Russian women know their chocolates and you better know yours also, as they will rate you on your ability to purchase the correct chocolates. Chocolate has to be the correct percent of chocolate and the correct percent of bitterness and the correct percent of sugar. Every woman has her favorite and you better know that brand…
I was worried at New Years once a few years ago, as I had bought Sveta’s mom a different brand of chocolate than what I should have. I insisted to give her this chocolate. I knew it was good and that was my decision. Sveta was tisk tisk tisking me, but she went ahead and gave it to her mom. I found out a few weeks later that her mom really liked the chocolates that I gave her and that made my life better…
Sveta’s mom is the most wonderful mother in-law that any guy could have…
I am lucky with Sveta: She does not want chocolates due to too many calories and she dislikes cut flowers as they serve no purpose in life, except to wilt and die….thus a sweet potato pie is her choice….but I thought calories are important to think about… 😉
Now Misha, Sveta’s son has the opposite issue. His girlfriend (now wife) loves cut flowers and for Xmas/New Year she got 101 roses. I said, “Oops now he is in trouble! He should have worked up slowly as he now has to give that many or more every time, or he looks like a bum!”
Please have a great upcoming March 8th and even if you do not have an Eastern and as in my case a Russian woman in your life. Remember that this is International Women’s Day and that means even your woman in the western world needs to get a box of chocolates or a whatnot…
Have a great holiday…
WtR