What Russian chocolate or gifts do hotel staff in Sharm el-Sheikh actually want?

One suggestion: instead of Alyonka, bring date-filled candies or a pricier Dubai chocolate — the traveler says it's genuinely tasty.

One traveler suggests bringing Alyonka after all — a tour guide on the airport transfer bus reportedly said this chocolate is well-liked there.

According to one theory shared in the chat, locals value Alyonka not for the taste but because of the wrapper image (a girl in a headscarf), and many find local chocolate unappetizing by comparison.

If bringing chocolate, opt for something better than Alyonka — such as St. Petersburg's 'Osoby' or Babaevsky with nuts — and always pair it with dollar tips rather than using it as a substitute.

Hotel staff in Sharm el-Sheikh rarely eat Russian chocolate like Alyonka, and Egypt has plenty of good local chocolate. Cash tips are by far the most appreciated gift.

If you want to bring chocolate as a gift, a set of mini Russian chocolates with matryoshka packaging is a better choice — it looks like a souvenir and tastes decent.

Some travelers bring Alyonka chocolate specifically because staff may wave through luggage without inspection in exchange — it works as informal currency, not as a treat.