As an American going to Ukraine in a few weeks, what are some cultural gestures that I might need to know before I leave?

theMidst · 14 days

don't make a closed fist and smack it against your other hand as some people do while they wait around in the U.S. or when they're gesturing a fight. In Ukraine this is a very sexual and rude gesture and can get you in trouble around women and their boyfriends.

Also never give an even number of flowers, they are reserved for funerals. Always give odd numbers, most people give 3 or 5 in a bouquet.

SlyFoxOfSeattle · 14 days

In Soviet Russia, Cashiers harass you! This is actually true for Ukraine in many cases. I always feel like I'm bothering them by trying to buy something from them.

1percentchick · 22 days

do you believe all religions are an ethnicity? is mormonism an ethnicity?

1percentchick · 1 month

This is sort of random but I noticed in another comment that you mentioned "Jewish" as an ethnicity. Why do you consider Judaism a ethnicity and not just a religion?

whatsmyline · 5 months

I had this exact same experience. Except my dad called me "Dolly."

realultimatepower · 5 months

you mean a half hour before your flight boards the plane? cause otherwise you'd be getting there when it boards.

PlasmaWhore · 7 months

Wow. Super creepy.

PlasmaWhore · 7 months

Why don't you just ask her for a copy?

GoingCommando · 7 months

I was recently at an Operation Respect Training with Peter Yarrow and he sang this song and I was all nostalgic, but by the end I was nearly crying, I didn't remember how sad it was. I don't think I really listened to the words as a kid.

vitey15 · 8 months

Someone has thrown a drink at you while you're riding your bike? WTF? Where do you live?

vitey15 · 8 months

"Being more tolerant" could get you or others killed if a cyclist does something dangerous on the road.

LostToApathy · 8 months

What? That was the most frustrating show. I loved the first two seasons..but it quickly went downhill.

tie_bandit · 8 months

I've read a few posts telling you to be careful and that seems really legitimate. I would most definitely be worried about violence and STIs. I don't have casual sex so I probably shouldn't comment on it. It seems like it would be safer to stay near campus and meet with acquaintances or through people you know.

STIs. Although it's not life-threatening...Herpes can be transmitted even with a condom because you just need contact. Also it can be transmitted from giving oral (if you or your partner has genital or oral herpes it can be transmitted to the other area as well) If you decide to engage in oral sex I seem to remember it's not a good idea to brush your teeth or floss them because it increases the changes of contracting STIs. I can't remember how long before you can brush, but yeah, random side note.

Someone mentioned the HPV vaccinations. Get it! I would go to your local Planned Parenthood and talk to them about protecting yourself against STIs. They won't care that you want to engage in casual sex and they can give you the best up to date information and won't get preachy. Keep yourself safe and have fun!

EclassBentz · 8 months

Clay Davis?!

panicjames · 8 months

Ukraine does not have as blatant a sex trade, but the issue is not just prostitution. Anytime I ever search online for anything about Ukraine or the Oblast I live in, most websites that show up are either just pages for getting beautiful women or the pages with real information are laced with advertisements for women. Kharkiv has advertisements all over that city for finding a beautiful woman and I was even handed a flier about finding a wife there. It's a large industry for Ukraine.

mahkato · 10 months

Seems like a lot of countries missing between China and Ukraine.

Hopefulpilot · 10 months

almond roca!

Hopefulpilot · 10 months

hah, i didn't realize they were banned in the US. Sad.

badhorsie · 10 months

ahaha. good call!

elyse32 · 10 months

hah, "ladies" always sounds so creepy.

elyse32 · 10 months

Used to have dog (a pug!) that slept in the crook of my legs when I slept on my side curled up. Woke up every morning on the edge of the bed. He weighed less than my head. wtf?

therealcoon · 10 months

Stonehenge..how and what?

Please_be_nice · 10 months

I didn't even know this was a debate, but I am no way professionally connected to the mental health field. I read one article that was claiming that researchers believed they pinpointed the place where repression of unwanted memories in the brain can occur although it did not claim that these memories could be recovered.

Very interesting. Thanks for the post.

self_promotion · 10 months

You could have party with like 4-5 people in there and no one would ever know!

I think that's what my mom was afraid of. :(

elyse32

TROPHY CASE

you'll need to login or register to do that

create a new account

login