Ukraine Travel Questions.

by R. CORUM
(West Jordan, Utah (via Los Angeles, Cal.)

I'm looking into visiting Ukraine (and possibly business as well), but I am more than new to/about the Ukraine. In fact, I've never been. So here is a "short" list, to see what's up there, get a pic of what it's like, etc., etc...

1. What side of the street do they drive on? (I figure the right, but I should make sure).

2. Do they wear wedding rings there, and if so, where? (on the same finger as the U.S.?)

3. What is Borscht food? Does anyone know what it tastes like? (like anything that is American?)

4. I figure the "usual suspects" have already gotten there (McDonalds, KFC, etc...), so how "Americanized" is the Ukraine now? Has it changed much since this, or are they still pretty solid in their original culture? (which brings me to 5).

5. "What" is their original culture? Can anyone explain it?

6. I know motocross has a place in the Ukraine because they have sent a national team to the MXoN the past 3 years, but other than that, is it big, with tracks (real ones) in every city, or not so much?

7. The women there. Is divorce as rampant as it is in the U.S.? Where every girl is actually just looking for the next guy they can divorce (and take all they can), or are Ukrainian girls "in it to the end?" (this does tell A LOT about the culture).

8. Does much of the population speak English, or not that many? (or none?)

9. Do people from other (English speaking) countries need to bring a translator, or can they get around, get food, etc., on their own?

10. And last but not least. Is it safe there, or does Ukraine have a decent size crime problem? If anyone knows, how many jails/prisons that they have, and how full or over capacity are they filled? (comparable to...., let's say Utah, or more like L.A. where they can't house them all?) This tells a lot as well.

Well, that's it for now. If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks.

R. Corum

From: Ukraine-travel-advisor.com

Ok, let’s go through your a very “short” list of questions. -:) Some of them have already been answered. I’ll just give you the links to those answers.

1. What side of the street do they drive on? It is here

2. Do they wear wedding rings there, and if so, where?

They do. Some people don’t. -:) It is always on the left hand. The ring finger is located between the middle finger and the little finger. If someone is divorced, a wedding ring will be moved to the same finger on the right hand.

3. What is Borscht food?

Borscht food… It not just food! It is art! -:) To have an idea, you can try to cook Ukrainian borscht yourself.

4. I figure the "usual suspects" have already gotten there (McDonalds, KFC, etc...), so how "Americanized" is the Ukraine now? Has it changed much since this, or are they still pretty solid in their original culture?


Yeaa…. Suspects are there….Fortunately they are in the big cities only. Even more fortunately, they are not very popular there. Ukrainian food traditions are much more healthier than American that’s why McDonalds can “buy” young kids only. I have never seen KFS or any other “gifts of civilization" there. Fortunately. –:)

5. "What" is their original culture? Can anyone explain it?

A little bit about Ukraine Culture and Traditions (see links at the bottom of this page also).

6. I know motocross has a place in the Ukraine. Is it big, with tracks in every city, or not so much?

Yes, there are some people who go in for motocross. But it is certainly not our national kind of sport. Sorry.

7. The women there: Is divorce as rampant as it is in the U.S.? Where every girl is actually just looking for the next guy they can divorce (and take all they can), or are Ukrainian girls "in it to the end?"

I don’t think that all women in the US are like those you’ve mentioned about. As a whole, Ukrainian family culture is more “old fashioned” and traditional. You are still not guaranteed that each girl in Ukraine wears angel wings. Nevertheless, here is one fact about Ukrainian women (as you said, “this does tell A LOT about the culture”).

I’ve met a lot of a-single-FATHER families in the US. To give birth to a child and after that to leave that poor kid to his/her father is quite traditional situation for the American culture. (Believe me, I know what I am talking about). In Ukraine this situation is just UNTHINKABLE. Something extraordinary has to happen in order Ukrainian woman could leave her child as a kitten.

8, 9. Does much of the population speak English, or not that many? (or none?) Do people from other (English speaking) countries need to bring a translator?

Not many. Mostly young people. You will certainly need some Russian/ Ukrainian vocabulary (or interpreter) to communicate at public places. People in the streets are very sociable and friendly. They will always try to help you. Even not knowing what you need at the moment.

10. And last but not least- Is it safe there, or does the Ukraine have a decent size crime problem? If anyone knows, how many jails/prisons that they have, and how full or over capacity are they filled? (comparable to...., let's say Utah, or more like L.A. where they can't house them all?) This tells a lot as well.

Here is an opinion of the American who has lived in Kiev. “Ukraine's crime rate is quite low — especially violent crime — and the country is safe for tourists. “ It is taken from here.

Regards,
Dina.