Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2014 March 23

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March 23

Princess Agatha of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst

The marriage of Princess Agatha of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst to Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia should be equal since Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst was a mediatized house. Why does the article for Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen (1890–1972) claim it was unequal? Only Russia to my knowledge required marriage partner to be of ruling houses.--The Emperor's New Spy (talk) 02:27, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

This book claims that the marriage was unequal "for she did not hail from a ruling house". --Pp.paul.4 (talk) 21:04, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

The Timing/Date of Russia's Next Census

Does anyone know when Russia will hold its next census? Its last census took place in 2010, but I am unsure if Russia has set a date/year for its next census yet. Futurist110 (talk) 05:21, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

The Russian Census is irregular, so I don't think anyone knows.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:02, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

Agreed; I found "...it was not certain that the 2010 census would even take place. It was only a late intervention from the Russian Government, allocating 10 billion roubles, that prevented it from being pushed back to 2013". From World Population Review - Russia Population 2014. Alansplodge (talk) 12:37, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

So just to clarify--Russia has not announced yet when its next census will take place, correct? Futurist110 (talk) 06:57, 24 March 2014 (UTC)

Asian selfless gift-giving (stereotype?)

Several years ago, I heard of a supposed "selfless gift-giving" etiquette in Asia or parts of Asia, according to which it is considered impolite to directly hand over a gift from person to person. Instead, according to the story I heard, it is considered polite for a guest to simply leave the gift in the host's house.

The (supposed) logic is that handing over the gift would create an expectation and pressure (on the receiver of the gift) to react, which in turn would be akin to the gift-giver actually "taking" the reaction of the gift-receiver, with the gift functioning not as a proper gift but merely to prompt the desired reaction. Therefore, in order to make the gift a truly selfless gift, the giver of a "guest gift" simply leaves the gift for the host to discover it later.

I just recalled that story and tried to figure out whether it is based in reality, without any luck so far. There are many websites detailing cultural etiquette in Asian countries, including gift-giving etiquette, but nothing remotely similar to that story I heard. I'd really like to know whether it is based on reality or whether it is just an example of cultural projection. On the other hand, if it was a widespread stereotype (correct or not), I guess I would have found a website addressing the stereotype as such.

Has anybody ever heard of something like that, either an actual etiquette or at least a similar stereotype alluding to such an etiquette? --85.197.12.76 (talk) 11:44, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

The practice is changing, but I do recall being told some 30-odd years ago that Asian's don't open a wrapped present in the presence of the gift giver, so as to avoid embarrassment if the gift is unsuitable, unwanted or less attractive than another gift. These days, single gift recipients (as opposed to weddings, for example, where multiple gifts are received) tend toward opening the gift right away. There are still some (North-east Asian) traditions based on superstition such as never giving four of something, not giving clocks or knives, etc. DOR (HK) (talk) 08:14, 24 March 2014 (UTC)

Yes, those are the ones I found commonly mentioned, the number 4 and also 9 are to be avoided and so on. That there's a certain gift-giving etiquette in Asian culture is without question, but I have yet to find anything that would resemble that story I heard, or at least someone who has heard the same story. --89.0.221.15 (talk) 09:07, 24 March 2014 (UTC)

Moldova-Togo Relations

Are there any diplomatic ties between Moldova and Togo? Is there any communication between these two countries at all? Any economic activity or similar? --Dennerfreyer (talk) 22:08, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

No, per Foreign relations of Moldova "Moldova has not yet established diplomatic relations with: [long list of countries that includes] Togo." The two would have some opportunity to communicate via international organizations like the United Nations, as there is some non-zero chance that the two would be assigned to the same committee, and both have representatives on the United Nations General Assembly. So officials from the two countries may have had the chance to meet and communicate, but the two do not appear to share any direct diplomatic ties through official channels outside of the UN and similar organizations. --Jayron32 22:16, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

Thank you for your answer. --Dennerfreyer (talk) 22:18, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

They are also both members of La Francophonie; not that there are many reasons for the two countries to seek eachother out. --Xuxl (talk) 08:25, 24 March 2014 (UTC)

April 11, 1994 crash

I've found a brief mention of some air crash that happened in the US on April 11, 1994 involving an 8-year girl piloting the aircraft with instructor and her father aboard (similar to Aeroflot Flight 593), but my googling showed nothing (and looks like there's no article in Wiki either). Could someone drop a hint? Brandmeister^talk 22:28, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

I suspect the year is wrong and it's referring to Jessica Dubroff's death on April 11, 1996. Nanonic (talk) 23:02, 23 March 2014 (UTC)

Looks like that, I also started to suspect there's some typo in the date. Thanks. Brandmeister^talk 23:06, 23 March 2014 (UTC)