# Uniquely American **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 30, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640 "2004-07-30T20:47:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/21 "2004-07-31T01:08:48Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Such a simple question, and such a difficult answer. > > You are about to discover the biggest headache when you have friends in foreign countries - what can you get them?! > > For the most part, you can get almost anything anywhere…the trick is to find that little something, or favorite whatever, or specialized local treat… > > I have lots of friends who come to visit from Germany and they always ask me, “what can I bring you?” and when they go back, I call German friends and ask, “what can I send back to you with these friends?” > > There is usually a long pause on the telephone, both from me and my German friends, before we realize we really can’t think of much. > > And if you do come up with some good ideas, PLEASE post them here! Christmas is around the corner, and as usual, I will be desperate to find something to send! Germany? Beer you fool! Beer! ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/22 "2004-07-31T01:43:32Z")
Well, looks like I’ll have to make the supreme sacrifice, go to Myers of Keswick in Manhattan, and see if they have these Mallomar imposters. Guess I’ll be forced to find some Mallomars too. _sigh_ Damn quest for knowledge. Anyway, I agree with all the suggestions; maybe add a small-town newspaper. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/23 "2004-07-31T02:04:46Z")
A box of brownie mix. A friend of my dad’s on a work visa fell in love with them; he said they didn’t have anything like them in England. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/24 "2004-07-31T02:28:31Z")
A few years ago, there was a similar thread except the package exchange was with a friend in Japan. Some of the suggestions (that haven’t come up yet): -Bobble heads – esp controversial political or sports figures -Any patriotically themed candy. Like the 4th of July Nerds that come out once a year, or the Special Edition red/white/blue Creme Savers hard candy. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/25 "2004-07-31T02:33:15Z")
not trying to be a downer, **Jenaroph** but I’m _fairly_ sure the “box of Bownie mix” thing is now almost ubiquitous in mainstream supermarkets. It’s just possible that your dad’s friend somehow managed to avoid the kitchen at home, or something.🙂 This thread makes people hungry! Perhaps a model of some iconic American car? I mean, the things have a certain charm without the recipient actually _having_ to be a model nerd. Oh. there must be lots on your CounterWeight Continent that are not in Britain. Got it! Rattlesnakes! Skunks! Coyotes! Timber wolves! (He wouldn’t forget you in a hurry) 🙂 Find a “toy soldiers - you too can re-enact that little argument that Britain and the States had” kit. (A fun thing aobut this thread is the sure and certain knowledge that cute weding guest is probably having the same concerns on a different message board! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/26 "2004-07-31T02:45:34Z")
A set of state quarters. Something made by the Amish. A USA or Ohio guide book - Lonely Planet or Rough Guide (may exceed $20). An autographed baseball. A cheese head. A trinket from the 1939 New York World’s Fair (get it on eBay). Anything from Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon. A Buffalo nickel. A shoulder patch from NASA. A picture of the Hollywood sign. An autograph of a movie star. A “Playbill” from a Broadway musical. A GI Joe doll. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/27 "2004-07-31T05:19:10Z")
What does your friend like? I mean, if it was me sending to myself, I might send packets of wildflower seeds or plants for the garden–is that legal? American-style recipes to try or boxes of mixes (Cajun rice, maybe?) Magazines of a shared interest Fabric! ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/28 "2004-07-31T05:39:56Z")
> [@Muad'Dib](#): > > Germany? Beer you fool! Beer! You will find this hard to believe, but true: A German friend of mine fell in love with…MILLER LITE! He actually schlepped an entire case of it back to Germany with him and gladly paid for the extra baggage fee! However, I don’t think that is exactly the direction you envisioned the beer being shipped… ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/29 "2004-07-31T05:56:23Z")
I don’t know about your friend, but I’m fascinated by maps; if there’s a great big, detailed map of ANYWHERE, I’ll start staring at it and bugging the jillelope: “Sweetie, did you know there’s a city in Japan called Fukuoka? Isn’t that hilarious? FUKUOKA! And hey, here’s a place called Okutama! Ha! That sounds like a brand of mattress, for some reason! Okutama Okutama Okutama! _Hello, I’m TV’s jackelope, and after a long day of doing nothing, I sleep on a genuine Okutama mattress. Remember: At Okutama, we’re always asleep on the job_!” She puts up with me. Anyway, your friend might like a map of your city, or perhaps maps of various American locales? ---
**Author:** ![mike1dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mike1dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike1dog)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/30 "2004-07-31T05:58:45Z")
Malomars look suspiciously like [Moon pies.](http://www.moonpie.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/31 "2004-07-31T15:24:39Z")
My sister married a UK fella she met online, after his first extended visit here he took back armfuls of koolaid packets to share with his family there. Koolaid, who’da thunk it? He also requested Jelly Belly jelly beans be sent in care packages, said he could get them over there, but they were crazy expensive. A pal from Scotland was fascinated by the availability of beef jerky when he was visiting me, said it was very much a specialty item back home. My Dad took him to a hunting/sporting goods place, Cabela’s or something, where they had a ginormous selection of jerkies made from different types of game and the guy about died. What about sending venison jerky, since deer-hunting’s not uncommon in Ohio? My BIL thought I was crazy when I asked him to bring me back a particular brand of mentholated chewing gum I found on a trip to London, we have nothing like it here. I think it was made by Wrigley’s, I wanted gum and grabbed the only familiar name in the selection by the register, but this stuff is like combining the strongest Dentyne Ice chewing gum with Hall’s mentholated cough drops, it’s mint that you _feel_ up to the roots of your hair! Great fun to offer a piece to unsuspecting gum moochers. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/32 "2004-07-31T15:27:38Z")
Just be careful what you send. If he takes offence he may respond by sending you [_ **Marmite** _](http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/marmite.htm). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/33 "2004-07-31T15:36:49Z")
A particular obsession of mine. My favorite [magazine](http://www.weirdnj.com) . ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/34 "2004-07-31T15:40:03Z")
> [@legion](#): > > Don’t send rubbers though, as us Brits find your rubbers a bit on the small side. 😉 Big feet over there, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/35 "2004-07-31T16:52:19Z")
Nah, over here, we have the sense to use rubbers for erasing errors made when writing in pencil. (Oops - I have sudenly remembered the etymolgy of “pencil” so perhaps our two languages are not so veyr far apart at all)🙂 No suggestions right now - I jsut came to read while having a quick coffee - _but_, I see that one suggestion involved plants - well, it sounds a charming idea, and I do not claim actually to _know_ the laws on this, but I can tell you I strongly suspect that it is “not on” to use our quaint British patois. (I recall a knowledgable friend who was aplalled when a former flatmate of ours (who had gone home to the U.S.) thought of the nice idea of posting us some pretty leaves to show New England in the autumn. (Dammit, I insist that season’s name is autumn, even though I _know_ your version is an old one from Britain and equally correct). Anyway, - either steeer clear of sending plants, or spend a boring time checking the legal position first. Sorry about that. I should _think_ that seeds might be ok, though., and cheap to post! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Amberlei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Amberlei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amberlei)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/36 "2004-07-31T18:22:03Z")
American cheese Waffle iron and a box of Bisquick Regional recipes (such as gumbo, New England clam chowder, etc.) and ingredients that aren’t commonly available to make them. An American scenic by-ways calender ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/37 "2004-07-31T18:39:14Z")
> [@mike1dog](#): > > Malomars look suspiciously like [Moon pies.](http://www.moonpie.com/) No, they’re just Whippets! Can’t find a straight link to a pic, but go [here](http://magasin.iga.net/index_en.html) and type in “Whippet” in the search bar at the top if you want to see them. Yummy. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/38 "2004-07-31T20:50:30Z")
Wow. I should really have something to contribute here as I’ve spent the last year in a ongoing diaolgue about the difference between the US and the UK…and the past 5 months going though culture shock having come over here to be with the guy I was having the diaolgue with ( 🙂🙂🙂 )) But all I can think of is the stuff they have here that we don’t there…like…haggis…which really isn’t as bad as it sounds, honest. Ok…PBJ? I think I made some reference to something being as normal as peanut butter and jelly…and was greeted with…“Ewwwwwww…you put jelly on peanut butter???” Apparently they don’t do that here. I guess you could send him that Jiff stuff that has PB and J right in the same jar, that might freak him out. Cocktail sauce. You know, for shrimp. They don’t have it here. They have something different, more like pink mayonaise. Blah. I miss cocktail sauce. Englishboy here as contributed…snow, which doesn’t happen here much…but rather hard to mail. And trees. Going by his experence of New England, he sees American as being all about trees, forests, much more then the culivated UK. But once again, hard to mail. He also say Fritos. They have a frightening array of crisps (lamb and mint potato chips? spare rib potato chips?) but they don’t have Fritos…not that I’ve figured out what he was taking about whan he suggested "fredolais’…and I work out he meant Frito- Lays. _Sigh_ if you comunnicate by mail it will be awhile till you realize he doesn’t pronounce anything like you do. Ask him about oregano or fillet… Like I said he’d been to America, but he didn’t see a Sacky till I showed him one. How 'bout an Amercian bumper sticker…they have them but bumper stickers are very rare generally. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/39 "2004-07-31T21:34:40Z")
Some Ghirardelli chocolate Hostess fruit pies (he’d have to be _crazy_ to resist the tender flaky crust!) Ideally, Hostess Chocodiles if you can find them Moon Pies or Goo-Goo Clusters A package of instant grits A CD of jazz music Velveeta ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640/40 "2004-07-31T23:14:21Z")
> [@betenoir](#): > > Ok…PBJ? I think I made some reference to something being as normal as peanut butter and jelly…and was greeted with…“Ewwwwwww…you put jelly on peanut butter???” Apparently they don’t do that here. I guess you could send him that Jiff stuff that has PB and J right in the same jar, that might freak him out. You might want to check, I think that jelly there is more like our Jello. Or the gelatin that is used in some things here. Tell them to try PB and jam. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uniquely-american/257640.md?page=3)