My bitter half is going to go to a “dude ranch” in Mongolia this summer, and was casting about for ideas for trinkets and such to bring as gifts.
People have suggested stuff like Marlboro cigarettes, jeans and such, but it’s obvious that the’re just spitballing.
So I thought I’d ask: What does your average Joe Mongol think is the cat’s ass? Bear in mind we’re talking about something which is readily available in the US, and is not overly expensive ( say, less than US$30).
Thanks in advance
Bizz
Lonely Planet has good information… not sure if exactly what you’re looking for is there, but it’s all good to read…
There are lots of things there that travellers don’t always think to ask.
From the LP link it looks like alcohol would be pretty sensible.
This Usenet FAQ confirms that and your friends’ tobacco ideas, although for some reason I think loose tobacco might be more useful (a WAG though 
).
I recall reading snuff is a big thing for males to swap socially out there, better double check my recall or await another doper to confirm but pretty sure.
Would be a nice way of social introduction/exchange - the only downside being the inevitable expectation that you actually use the stuff yourself.
Hmm, maybe would be a insult to offer yours but not accept theirs…
Thanks for the info, especially the Usenet reference, Bromley
Electronic gadgets often make nice gifts – say a pair of sturdy walkie talkies, with rechargeable batteries and a solar charger. At under $30, you won’t get the most rugged units, but reasonably sturdy ones may be favorably recieved
Like any gadget, it might not be used after the initial ooh-ahh factor, but it’ll be remembered. They do have radios, but though I’ve never been in Mongolia, I’ve been surprised at how relatively expensive they are in underdeveloped regions that could really use them.
Just check Customs regulations and visitors experience (you don’t want them confiscated, to be arrested as a spy, which happened to me more than once) and the frequency bands used in Mongolia.
Having just returned from living in Mongolia this summer, I can tell you that Mongolians like pretty much whatever you can bring from the U.S. and is popular.
I would advise not bringing alcohol as Mongolians tend to prefer their own, or Russian. Alcohol is available in such enormous and varied quantities cheaply, that they probably wouldn’t appreciate what you brought them. The same goes for cigarettes.
As for electronic gadgets, Mongolia is on 220ish volts of electricity and their power grid is fairly unstable, so I would also steer clear from those unless you can get appliances with the correct voltage (also rechargable batteries will be of little use unless the recharger is for 220).
Things I would recommend: any kids toys (if there are kids around, their parents will love you) such as crayons or Matchbox cars or stuffed toys (make sure it is a good kharma toy such as a horse or a dog and definitely NOT a cat) or stickers or pens/pencils, anything overtly from the US or US trendy stores, the top pop music (either CD or tape- if it’s far off in the countryside they may have a tapeplayer- in the city, most people will have access to CD player), picture books of US sights, postcards/ books of your home state, any special kind of chocolate (Mongolians love chocolate in general) and finally, again more appropriate for the city folk but appreciated by the country ones as well, Bath & Bodyworks style lotions and hand sanitizers.
Hope that helps!