Bringing back stuff for CFs

[chatnicknameyousuggested]

OK, maybe it's a TAAT... but another thread inspired me.

I travel quite a lot to Russia, and received a whatsapp last year from someone I was on the PTA with 16 years ago, and have had no contact with since, asking for a favour.

She wanted me to bring her DH back an original cosmonaut's helmet from the flea market in Moscow.

I said no.

Anyone had any similar CF requests?

No. I must have a fuck off face.

Come on, not even a stick of rock?

I wouldn't consider that cheeky

But no, I don't think anyone's asked me for a stick of rock.

Would any flea market have an authentic cosmonaut's helmet?

They used to! Now I think they are fake. I wouldn't know the difference, but apparently her DH would.

We live not a million miles away from Ukraine. Once at the airport I met a nice Irish lady who told me all about her farm back home.
A few months later DS got a FB message (we hadn't exchanged any details, but she must have seen our names). She wanted me to post her soil from Chernobyl, if I was ever out that way.

Is it only me that gets these requests?

Nope. I also have fuck off face, though. I have offered to bring back stuff, though, plenty of times.

It's just me, isn't it?

Even if you don't have a fuck off face, a simple, 'Sorry, no can do' will suffice.

Why would she want soil from Chernobyl?!!

I said no the first one, and DS ignored and blocked the second.
This was a few years ago - it might even have been illegal then, I don't know.
She was a horse farmer, and I thought it really odd and a bit scary she wanted soil.

You’re that person on an empty bus who always gets the crazy person sitting next to you, aren’t you!

Well, now you mention it....

I refuse to believe that nobody on MN has had any CF requests for crap to bring back from their holidays?

You are not alone OP! I had someone at work (who I barely knew) request quite a few bottles of a specific alcohol when they overheard me telling another colleague I was travelling to its region of origin. How and why would I carry this alll home on the flight?! They told me it should be just about OK and within my allowance. Errrr so what about if I’d wanted to bring some back for myself or my own family/ friends??????

I have a relative who is that CF. We often get told to pick up packages from random people that have bought things over from abroad for this person.

They're also renowned in the family for their piss taking ways. Going to the US? Bring back a whole crockery set. Going to the homeland? Bring back a suitcase full of clothing.

Nothing as cheeky as yours, but I travel a lot for work and often send packages of something local (usually food) to various friends... who then post it on social media.

Cue mutual friends chiming in asking why they didn't get one. Uh, because it's a gift? And because I like that person more than you? Do you really want me to say it out loud?

Would any flea market have an authentic cosmonaut's helmet?

The one in Moscow does - I assume it's the one at Izmailovsky Park.

I bought an authentic KGB watch there. It said "KGB" on it. I'm sure they always wore those when they were under cover.

When I flew back to the UK from Canada someone asked me to bring them back a Fray Bentos pie 🥧

Yes, Izmailovsky Park. A few years ago you could buy a rocket launcher, apparently.

I have seen some very strange, authentic stuff there. A Soviet car boot sale selling stuff no other country would ever let you sell.

I don't tend to bring back gifts from trips. I might buy some random local alcohol if I have spare currency at the airport on the return journey, but it's not a given. Haven't been asked to bring back cigarettes for years. Maybe all the smokers I know vape now.