What do you know about... Ukraine?

[u/MarktpLatz]

This is the eleventh part of our ongoing series about the countries of Europe. You can find an overview here.

Todays country:

Ukraine

Ukraine is the largest country that is completely on the european continent. The Ungarian people's republic was founded in 1917, the ukrainian state in 1918. It later became part of the soviet union and finally got independent in 1991. Currently, Ukraine is facing military combat with russia-backed rebels and the crimean peninsula was completely annexed by Russia. Ukraine will host the next eurovision song contest.

So, what do you know about Ukraine?

[u/Versaith]

I used to work with some Ukrainians in China. Interesting bunch.

They didn't smile to anyone as they walked past, and quite sparingly even during conversation. The men liked to greet with handshakes every morning. Quite happy to voice frustrations at management during meetings. Didn't like to dance at clubs, just form a large group and drink with quiet conversation. Didn't like to sing much at karaoke either. Quite sombre in general, but very reliable and trustworthy. Also very homophobic.

The only tidbit I really know is that the Ukrainian language is not popular (more unpopular the closer to Russia you get). Lots of Ukrainians choose not to speak it, but most know it. This didn't change at all post-Crimea, despite obvious anti-Russia sentiments.

There was a married couple at work where one would always speak in Russian, and the other in Ukrainian (to each other). He was the only guy out of the 5 working there who spoke in Ukrainian (as he was from Lutsk close to Poland, and so also spoke Polish, and English of course).

[u/Ted_Bellboy → u/Versaith]

well, being abroad we have strong feeling "you are not at home here, you are a guest" and act modest. Once we were hanging in pub in Baku, drinking and having quiet conversation. And the place was full of British people, acting very loud, yelling, shouting and singing (or trying to sing, as the alcohol influenced their speech abilities). Some of them's behaviour did not look very pleasant.

[u/iwanttosaysmth → u/Ted_Bellboy]

Yeah I remeber I was in Kraków one day, everybody was enjoying very sunny day, having fun, eating ice cream, listening to a street musicians. And only a group of british people were entirely drunk, very loud and half-naked, and it wasn't even a midday.

[u/gk3coloursred → u/iwanttosaysmth]

Ah, but some feel they have to reinforce the stereotypes that make them so loved by all. Then they wonder why Kraków banned Stag Parties...

[u/Versaith → u/Ted_Bellboy]

Sure, nothing wrong with it at all. I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining about it. I agree that British and Ukrainian drinking culture couldn't be any more different.

They got me in the habit of drinking water after a long night too, which though it's common knowledge, they're so much more careful about. Every time we were at the bar or karaoke, at the end of the night they'd hand out bottles of water to everyone, and we'd all spend the last half an hour hydrating to avoid a hangover the next day.

[u/[deleted] → u/Ted_Bellboy]

Ya, living here the last year and a half has shown me Ukrainian emotions beyond the "brick face" put on in public. In restaurants nobody is shy about singing, often for hours-it's a very musical culture! And weddings go till 4am at least, with hilarious acts and tons of music and dancing. I think they have a great sense of humor as part of their culture!

[u/DragonHunting → u/Ted_Bellboy]

That's a good mindset to have.