Things Ukrainians and Russians do that foreigners might find strange

A foreign man going to Ukraine or Russia for the first time is bound to notice some differences in the way women and men there act. Here is a small list of things Ukrainians and Russians do that Europeans might find strange:

- Answering (how are you?) fully and really honestly

How are you?” in Ukrainian and Russian demands a genuine answer, not just (good … thanks)

- Dressing up to go to a shop

Ukrainian and Russian women, particularly women living in cities, love dressing up. For example, a good dress and some heels are perfect dress for a casual walk.

- Not smiling at strangers

Smiling at people you randomly make eye contact with is not acceptable. Smiles in Russia and Ukraine are supposed to be real and genuine, and in most cases are only shared with friends.

- Sitting down for a minute before heading on a journey

Once the suitcase is packed, Ukrainian and Russian women will usually pause and sit quietly for a minute before leaving.

- Congratulating one another on getting out of a shower or a bath

They say, (S liogkim parom), which means (Congratulations on a light steam)

- Calling all women (girl)

If you want to call a female seller, waitress, .. etc, you can just say … girl or in Russian (Devushka). If you want to address a 45 years old woman, you can call her (girl). If you want to address a real girl, you call her .. (girl)

- Sitting down at the table for a diner or lunch and staying there for hours

When groups of Ukrainian or Russians people get together for lunch or dinner, they will sit down, have dinner, talk, talk and talk.

- Preparing way more food than is necessary for when friends come over

And most of it will have tons of mayonnaise.

- Living with their parents

It is often that a whole Ukrainian or Russian family …. parents, children, grandparents, will live together in 2 rooms apartment.

Quotes from the web:

- Russian women are different. There are good people and bad people! Generally, Russian women are extremely passionate about love and they are sensitive yet strong. I'm friend with one and she is so nice and cute. Russian women are always my choice.

- I speak to a lot of Russian women on language exchange websites because I am in the process of learning the Russian language and for whatever reason most of the Russians on these websites that are learning English are women. I have had many interesting conversations with these women; they are generally very unique, have pleasant demeanors and are interested in learning new things. In addition, there has not been a single one I have spoken to that doesn't look incredibly gorgeous. Like WOW, oh my god they are beautiful and gorgeous. Some of them could easily pass as models in the Italy, France or the USA. But apparently it is common there.

- Years ago, I spent 1 years in Ukraine working as a government contractor, and I was really surprised at the women. Ukrainian women are very beautiful, very feminine, a true lady, and at the same time, they are very loyal, very intelligent, hard working, and very resilient, but very cunning. They know what they want and they will stop at nothing to get it. A Ukrainian woman wants to feel safe and protected by her man, and most of all, they want to be taken care of.