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