What r' the differences between our 2 countries

[Phillip]

Somebody said the personalities between australia and the Ukraine are similar.

I would imagine some drunk Aussie managed to convince some drunk Ukrainians this was true (or visa versa), and in such good moods everybody thought it sounded good - so it became true.

However, when reading this discussion...I would never imagine such a discourse would exist between Australians. I know!! We steer clear of talking directly about anything with substance.

If you do speak with depth, people listen to you like a song - and say "that sounded good (or not)" and nothing changes.

I think both is good - differences are not black and white.

This is just one observation. Does anyone care to add anymore. If not make them up, for fun...

Phillip.

------------------
Live long and prosper

[johnstruthers]

You're onto something, Phil. I don't know enough about "people" to understand the roots of cultural differences, causation and all that rot, but they exist, and they're fun. Ukrainians, in my opinion, have "soul." The conversations here get real personal real fast with an undercurrent of "caring," and not in the touchy-feely sense. I think it is actual concern, kinship, curiosity, and very much like members of a family. There isn't much stubborness, and there's a lot of respect. Russians, as a whole, are pretty nice people, too, with "soul," but mygod that Russia.com board is scary! I think (hope) they behave better than that in real life. Aussies seem nice and laid back, with wit as a "given." Ukrainians reserve their wit, and just lay their souls right out there. I know some Aussies, and I always enjoy seeing them. They're ready to have fun, and get a kick out of good give and take. Ukrainians hold back on that a bit, because sometimes wit can bite, and Ukrainians are very conscious of the protocols of hospitality. For a Ukrainian, the worst thing is to treat a guest badly, whether by accident or design. So they don't bond through shared wit the way Aussies do. But the wit is there, oh is it ever there. I think Ukrainians will bite, then quickly bandage the wound they inflict. As a general statement, I think Ukies and Aussies would make a good complement around a table. An important shared attribute: I am told that Aussies like to sing. Ukrainians LOVE to sing. Put Aussies and Ukies around that table, and they would teach each other songs, I think. Thanks for this topic, Phil.
Best regards,
John

[Phillip]

Give me a while, and I'll get back to you on that.

hmmm, ok

You paint a good picture of Ukraine John.

Last night an English guy told me how he was impressed by how caring and helpfull Australians are - we really do care about peoples feelings and we pride ourselves on sticking up for the small man.

Personally I feel if people respect an order of arrival on the bus line (as I heard Ukrainians do) then they must be good.

As for singing, hmmm, you won't get alot of it here. We have thousands of band venues in my city and it a very major passtime, but I don't think you will walk into sporadic singing like I did in Czech. Having said that, my friend took a diggerydoo with him which was fun. Traditional Slovakian songs and diggerydoo sounds go well together :-)

cheers,

Phillip

[johnstruthers]

Ohmigosh, what's a diggerydoo? Yeah, Aussies have always struck me as very fair-minded sorts that stick up for the little guy, too. See, that's where your earlier observation that Ukies and Aussies are a lot alike gets credence. The caring, the concern for fair treatment. Good character references for any people. But what do you folks eat? I know you wish kangaroos were tasty (I am told they do NOT taste like chicken). What's for lunch? What's for supper? Ukrainians eat a pretty big lunch, when they can. The tradition is that every meal has a "hot" course, usually soup.
Best regards,
John

[Phillip]

Thanks John,

Food - now that's easy...

I am still pondering over you comments on biting, cutting and bandaging. It sounds sounds like there is a situation of mistrust and I imagine Ukies to be much more soft hearted then that. I don't actually understand your point of view, really John. I don't know if you were making a big point there. You have to forgive my ignorance - I'm learning...

The Australian character is very robust. People here don't really mix their words. I don't mean we don't make colourfull descriptions or tell 'tall stories' but we 'call a spade a spade' - no body gets offended about much. So I don't understand your point about biting. I think we have a hard time not to bite, but nobody takes anything very seriously. Just look at the breadth of things discussed in this forum. How can one issue be so consuming that you would need a bandage? Do you see what I mean?
Hopefully you can make some sense of my thoughts...

What you said about comradery (spelling?) or mateship is very true. People who like each other, who accept other people like family, who basically TRY to get along, will be richer for it. I'll compete with you on that level anytime because in that level there is is no loosers. So hats off too you.

What do we eat :-)...

I could really make up some lies right now!!Usually I tell people we ride to work on Kangaroo's and that Crocodile Dundee is a friend of mine. But that's mostly for the Yanks.

We eat well - we think we eat the best diet in the world especially here in Melbourne. This, we attribute to one thing - that is, multiculturalism (oh and quality produce). In my city of 3+ million people there are millions of Greeks, Italians, Arabs and Asians. (The only country with more diversity is Israel). Hence, we pick and choose from a large variety. Me, I like Mediteranian food mostly. I love all he dips and the simplicity of the meals. I eat lots of pizza and many rice dishes. I love pasta and I think you can't go past a good steak when your really hungry. Alot of peple are vegetarians so mewat is not the only dish. We eat beef and seafood and I think if you know the tricks then most things can taste good, Kangaroo's included. That's enough about that:-) I think I would not be lieing to tell you that if you were here you would be surprised at the quality and quantity of the restaurants and cafe's.

On the other hand if your a beer connisuer you had better stick to Czech etc... We mostly drink VIC bitter which is easy to drink and you had better drink it fast and cold - because it is made that way. There are some good breweries but they don't compete well with such a massive company. What you drink here is a political statement (for want of a better word). VIC rules today but once upon a time we used to drink Fosters - they made a big push overseas and lost their favour here. When I was in England there was an add on TV. with an Aussie guy with his strongest Australian accent saying 'if you want to think Australian you gotta drink Australian' Imagine their surprise when I told them we don't actually drink that brand.

I hope this gives you a slightly better idea of Australia and I enjoy your comments,

Phillip.

[johnstruthers]

Phil, I think my analogy with biting was a bit of woolly thinking on my part. In straighter language, a Ukie may say something sharp, and intentionally so, but will acknowledge it by somehow softening the damage later. They're really nice that way. And they're very forgiving. We find a lot of reasons to forgive, and will use the best available reason in a pinch. Grudge-holding is not really part of the national character. Long memories about things that count, yes, but day to day stuff...we try to get along.

I guess you know I live in the US, and haven't been back to Ukraine for four years now. Sounds like your food, in Melbourne, is about the same as mine here in Michigan. I've tried Foster's a few times, and regarded it as okay. So now I know: No alligator or kangaroo meat on the table.
Except, in truth, I still eat a lot of Ukrainian meals. Still. I like Italian, Chinese, Thai, Middle Eastern...and a lot of typically American dishes. But I still have to slop a big tablespoon of sour cream into the borshch, and keep a stock of Pel'meni in the freezer...it's a meat dumpling, something like ravioli, and it's great with melted butter on top. Fish: I found a place not too far away that sells salted, dried fish. Heaven! Heaven, I tell you! And oiled herring with onions. Ohmigod.
Got the munchies now. Talk to you later.
Best regards,
John

[Phillip]

haha,

yes it is making me hungry too...

I'll have to see this peculiar cutting and mending business for myself. It sounds like you have brought a level of sophistication to that theme.

It is a pity your in the States because if I get to Ukraine I would have liked to see you there, if/when I get there.

They ran out of VB (VIC Bitter) so I am drinking Melbourne - its good too. Fosters is a buggar - what they sell in America, and what sell in the UK, and what we get in Australia are 3 completely different things...

New years will be here in 8&1/2 hours WAA HOO - We have a bottle of Moet and some Montecristo's for that moment. The weather is acting wierd but it won't dampen the occassion. Can't wait untill the moment - the fireworks and the 1 million excpected people cramped on the banks of the Yarra will be very special.

Thanks for the reply, again.. and I wish you all the best in the next millenium. People are pretty Baa Haa about the ocassion but can there be a better excuse for a party.

Maybe this isn't relevant, but this country of mine has one obsession, called sport. It turn all our wheels. Your country might too if it were so far away from the action as we are.

Expect some good posts from me from now on ALL ARGUMENTS WELCOMED!! - because I am now busy drinking. FUN FUN FUN.

catcha soon,

Phillip