6 ways to offend a Ukrainian

Ukrainians are not easily offended in general, but there are some things you should NOT do around any of them. 

1.         Do not compare Ukrainians to Russians and do not use Russian transcriptions (the Ukraine, Kiev, etc.)

“Ukraine? Is it somewhere in Russia?”, “What’s the difference between Ukrainian and Russian?”, etc. These questions are infuriating for most of Ukrainian people. Sure, for a non-Slavic eye there isn’t much difference between Ukrainian and Russian culture, but the difference exists, and it’s still rude to suggest they are one nation.

This rule applies to the use of Russian-translated Ukrainian toponyms, like Kiev, Lvov or the Ukraine. Instead, one should use Kyiv, Lviv and just Ukraine.

2.         Even number of flowers

If you’re bringing flowers to some special occasion, always do uneven number. Even numbers are reserved for the funerals, wakes and other commemorations of the dead. Gifting even number of flowers is considered a really bad luck for the recipient.

3.         Whistling indoors

Whistling indoors is considered bad luck: if you’re whistling in the room, people will believe everybody in the room will lose money. It drives some Ukrainians crazy to hear someone whistling. Also, it’s a bad luck to stand under the open umbrella in the house.

4.          Shoes indoors

You’re invited to somebody’s house? Take your shoes off at the door! It’s not a negotiable thing. Even if hosts say “don’t take your shoes off”. Even if your shoes are clean and the floor is cold. Just. Take. Off. The. Shoes.

5.         Overlooking the elderly on public transport

It’s a written and unwritten rule to give your seat to old people, disabled people and pregnant women or women with little kids. If you’re not giving your seat, it’s considered rude and low manners.

6.          Joking about someone else’s family

Jokes about “Yo mama” are considered a poor choice everywhere, but here talking like that you risk getting a punch in the face.

Essentials to live in Ukraine: Take your towel and don't panic!

If you’re moving to Ukraine or just visiting, it’s smart not to have too much baggage with you. Travelling light makes things a lot easier. But there are some things that are better to take with you. 

Clothes & Electronics

Clothes. There are a lot of shopping malls and boutiques in Ukraine, so you won’t be naked. But it’s better to take as much clothes with you as you can, because clothes can be really expensive here. Winters are hard here, so it's better to buy a warm winter coat and winter boots before your arrival.

Electronics. Take your small electronic appliances with you if you can, but do not forget about adaptors. If your electronics is meant for 110V, it could be seriously damaged if plugged in a 220V socket without a power converter.

It’s better to buy smartphones in Western countries, but watch out for phones locked to one provider. SIM cards can be bought on almost every street corner, the rates for calls and data are relatively cheap. 

Household items. You may or may not find your favourite kind of bed linens and towels in Ukraine. Some people prefer to take their textile with them; others buy it in Ukraine. 

Food & Personal Health Items

Food. There is a lot of food in Ukraine, but your local favourites may not be available in shops. Things like peanut butter, some Asian food and spices, Mexican food, corn syrup, maple syrup, some nuts and exotic fruits, sweet potatoes, molasses, your local snacks and candies.

If you have allergies, gluten intolerance or other sensitivities, take supplies with you for the first couple of weeks. It could be a challenge to find such food in Ukrainian shops, but it’s doable.

Personal care items. If you have some preferred brands, take them with you. Otherwise, shops in cities stock a wide assortment of shampoos, toothpaste, shower gel etc. Also, you can order your favourite brands at Amazon or Ebay.

Medication. Medication for personal use may be brought with you to Ukraine in almost all cases. If you will be bringing large quantities of any drug, bring a prescription or doctor's note confirming that the medication is for personal use.

Many — but not all — medications are available in Ukraine, but often are called by different names and can be difficult to track down. Note that a lot of medications for mental disorders is not available in Ukraine.

Something Else

It’s smart to bring small gifts/souvenirs with you that represent your local culture or cuisine. For example, Canadians can bring bottles of maple syrup; Englishmen can bring tea or chocolate, etc. Be creative! These trinkets will come in handy when you’re invited to someone’s house: it's rude to come empty-handed. 

Access to media

Note that most of streaming services like Pandora, Hulu or HBO are blocked in Russia. Netflix has only recently become available but the shows you can access will probably be much more limited than you are used to. You might look into VPN services to get around some restrictions.