How about the Ukrainian culture?

[rockiniowa]

Hello everybody!

This is my first posting. I was just reading a posting in the Guest Book forum, and I just found out that August in Kiev can be very hot. I was wondering, where I live, Iowa (USA), people tend to use very comfortable clothes in the Summer like shorts, tennis shoes, and T-shirts or tankers, etc. . Although I am not originally from here, I just got so used to this type of clothes.

Then I▓ve heard that in Ukraine and Russia people tend to use leather shoes, not tennis shoes, and long pants and shirts and that formal stuff. That is, unless I was misinformed, that people tend to dress very conservatively. While I, of course, I respect the different cultures, I▓d like to wear the same type of clothes I am used to. Do you guys think that this would show some form of disrespect to the locals?

How about other rules of etiquette? I▓ve heard that in Eastern Europe in general people tend to go late to appointments, even to business appointments. Is that right? If I am ever to meet with a local, should I arrive like 5 or 10 minutes late? Here in the US, if one has a date, for instance, we are supposed to be right on time or even five minutes early. This unwritten rule is supposed to be like a way to show genuine interest in the other person. How about in Ukraine?

I have many other questions, but I don▓t want to make this posting too long. I▓d appreciate any comments from locals. Thanks.

Carlos

[LeClaireAve]

Hello!

I'm sorry but you were missinformed about the clothes! You ARE FREE to wear that what you want...

To come late is a bad manner in Ukraine too (but still some people happen to do so. You don't do that.)


Write me an e-mail to geoinc@ukr.net and i'll try to answer your other questions...


Best regards!

[ric9001]

Originally posted by LeClaireAve
Hello!

I'm sorry but you were missinformed about the clothes! You ARE FREE to wear that what you want...

To come late is a bad manner in Ukraine too (but still some people happen to do so. You don't do that.)


Write me an e-mail to geoinc@ukr.net and i'll try to answer your other questions...


Best regards!

[ric9001]

Hi

I am travelling quite often to Ukraine for tourist but also for business
I used to get lot of trouble with delay or late appointements
Yes main of Ukrainian are late even of business, morever They could do several things during the same meeting it is little bit disturbing
It is quite often long meeting and you must take into account this point for your next appointements
I would like to tell you one anecodt
I went to a meeting at a company selling hairdresser products During the meeting i just ask for a good hairdresser for cut
The boss of the company just organized an appointenmet and a taxi driver for me and we went to a very good
It is impossible to say no
However i would recommend you to be on time and you must be carreful because it is difficult to manage time and transport
For private date you have to be ready to wait for especially for ladies
If you need any specific details about Ukraine you could write me at ric90001@meloo.com
Ukraine is a very good place to go
best regards rh

[Globehopper]

Ric9001, I appreciate your willingness to answer questions about Ukraine. I would love to go there, but quite honestly, I'm afraid the food may be somewhat contaminated if grown locally, due to the Chernobyl accident. I had wanted to visit Odesa. Is this fear totally unwarranted? Please comment also on one's personal safety in Ukraine. I hear it's somewhat dangerous. Ukraine was recently taken off the U.S. State Department's "Hot List" of countries not to visit. Is Kuchma the big problem, and hopefully when he goes in 2004, how much of a difference will that make? I am part Ukrainian, and I'm sad that I'm a bit afraid to go. So therefore, instead, I'll be going to Russia this summer.

Thank you

[happy_gunner]

Globehopper: The food in Odessa is superb and has never been affected by Chernobyl as the wind blew the radiation in the opposite direction, Belarus, Poland, and Scandinavia were more affected than most of Ukraine.
As for personal safety, Odessa has street crime, but on a personal note I know that England is a lot worse. Unfortunately, a lot of your compatriots believe that the entire world is too scary for Americans and they give your country a bad name. It appears that one of these idiots has been advising you, ignore them, there is no reason to be afraid to visit Ukraine.

[Donquichotte]

[As for personal safety, Odessa has street crime, but on a personal note I know that England is a lot worse. Unfortunately, a lot of your compatriots believe that the entire world is too scary for Americans and they give your country a bad name. It appears that one of these idiots has been advising you, ignore them, there is no reason to be afraid to visit Ukraine.


To add on these comments,
I have spent weeks in Odessa/Yalta last year, am going back this summer, and always felt safe.
Of course you have to behave wisely and not choose the darkest alleys in the earliest hours of the day, but that goes for New York city, Paris,...
Odessa felt like the french riviera fifty years ago when mass tourism and crime had not yet damaged it : my only problem was the language barrier as few ukrainians spoke english there, but being part italian I am used to talk with hands.