Frequently asked questions about Ukraine

and

Ukrainian girls

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Country

What is Ukraine?

Ukraine is a former Soviet republic. Now part of its successor, a fragile formation called the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) also referred to as the FSU (Formet Soviet Union) which is technically different but basically the same. Population: 45 mln (urban: 68%). The capital: Kyiv (2.8 mln). Total area: 603,700 km2. Terrain: mostly fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus; mountains only in the west and south. The country is subdivided into 24 regions (oblasts) and the autonomous republic of Crimea. Ukrainian Flag:

 
 

Where is Ukraine located? Is it in Asia?

Ukraine is in Eastern Europe and borders on Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus and Russia (land boundaries: 4,558 km total). It has a long coastline on the Black and Azov Sea (9,789 km). Time offset: GMT+2 hours in winter, GMT+3 in summer (daylight saving time which is actually a silly idea but still followed here). Ukraine is one of the biggest countries of Europe. Check this map please.

What language is spoken in Ukraine?

The official language is Ukrainian, though it is basically spoken in the western part of the country. A lot of Ukrainian citizens speak Russian.
Not many people know foreign languages; English is most popular.
How common is the Russian language in Ukraine? How different are the two languages?
Russian and Ukrainian are very close. Like German and English, they have common roots; however they are not so distant as the two other languages since they split about five centuries rather than a dozen centuries ago. Ukrainian has changed less than Russian since then. The languages have very similar vocabulary and grammar and share cyrillic letters and the alphabet although each language has a few unique letters which are not used in the other.
Most Russians understand Ukrainian although cannot speak it.
As for Ukrainians, they are in a better position. Besides the similarity between the languages, their advantage is that in the USSR Russian was the lingua franca and every citizen was supposed to understand and speak it. Also, a lot of literature (both fiction and technical), TV, radio, manuals are in Russian so Ukrainians deal with the language whether they like it or not, and thus keep it up. Of course some Ukrainians do not like it and will demand that you speak in Ukrainian but the thing is they do understand you.
Finally, half Ukraine speaks Russian. It is chiefly Eastern and Southern Ukraine. Even native Ukrainians sometimes speak basically Russian. It is not something outstanding. For example, most Irishmen speak English as well as Welsh people and not many of them can boast knowing their native tongue. Ukrainians preserved much more of their culture in this respect.
So if you go to Ukraine Russian is going to help you out any time. Even in Western Ukraine where Russian is frowned upon. It is like French: all Frenchmen know some English but they are jealous and want you to speak French.

How do I enter Ukraine? Do I need a visa?

Visas are not required for citizens of the following countries:

What can I bring in here?

Money

What is the official currency? Do you have euros or rubles there?

The Ukrainian national currency is called Hryvna (UAH). One Hryvna contains 100 kopeykas. Hryvna used to be an extremely unstable currency in the past, but over the last five years its rate toward the US dollar has been, surprisingly, very stable. The exchange rate is UAH5.4 per US$1. US dollars and euros are most popular in exchange booths. Other currencies are harder to exchange.

Can I pay in dollars?

You can pay in dollars to people who help you such as cab drivers, translators, guides; but if you go to a store you cannot pay in dollars. Only hryvnas are accepted.

Can I pay with my credit card?

Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, casinos, stores. Electronic pay cards are becoming popular here. Owners of American Express, Dinners might have trouble when using their card.

Can I pay with travel checks?

Travel checks can be cashed at the majority of banks. Most popular travel checks in Ukraine are Thomas Cook and Visa.

Is it easy to get hryvnas if I have dollars or euros?

There are no problems with cash exchange in Ukraine. Exchange booths are everywhere, many of them work till late night. US dollars, euros and Russian rubles are exchanged in all exchange booths. But some of them operate with many different stable currencies, up to 25 currencies. Please note that damaged banknotes might not be accepted. If you have a torn hryvna bill it may be taken but if your dollars have the slightest tear, just a few millimeters, or a stain you may have trouble exchanging them or paying with them. Make sure you bring only new bills with you.

Do I have to bring a lot of cash with me?

No. Credit cards and travel checks are widely accepted in Ukraine. There are plenty of ATMs (called bankomates here) where you can cash your credit card. You may also do it in a bank (as well as cash your travel checks there) but you will need your passport.

How much should I budget for my visit (transportation, meals, sightseeing, events)?

Transportation is fairly inexpensive with one exception. There are two types of taxi drivers in Ukraine who differ dramatically. It is a funny phenomenon but let us just talk about what it means for us. One type is regular drivers who drive around the town, sometimes it is just individuals happy if you cover their gas expenses, also radiotaxis that you call on the phone. These are OK, you can make a deal. The other type is taxi stands at train stations, casinos, and just in the street. Be particularly careful with such as those are mentally ill geeks obsessed with taking all of your money. In fact, while the first category is working driving around town and delivering passengers, these loafers prefer to wait for hours for the unlucky unsuspecting one who will pay them their daily salary. They will not budge to drive a few meters for the fee that would normally take you half the town. So, if you see a waiting cab, do not bother to ask for the price. When you arrive in a town, just wave them off, quickly get on any bus and ride two stops, get off and wave any car without passengers — you will save at least half. Prices differ from town to town and Kiev is particularly expensive. Metro (Subway) in Kiev or Dneproptetrovsk is about $0.10 a ride. So are the streetcars, or trolly buses. Mini-buses on specific routes could be from UAH0.75 to UA1.50 per person per ride. As for trains, see above (about $10 second class).
Accommodation: a good Western-style apartment in the downtown is $50 to $100 a day. Hotels are more expensive.
Events: Opera, Ballet or Theatre should be $10 to 30. It is very cheap. However, if there is a concert by a Western pop star, be ready to pay as much as you pay back home.
Sights and museums: not really expensive, usually you can budget about $15 per sight. In some museums foreigners are charged more than locals but cheap anyway.
Meals: a good cafe runs about $20 for two people. A good restaurant usually twice as much or more.
Gifts: If you plan to buy perfume bring it with you from home or at a Duty Free in Western Europe. The local ones regardless of the Brand names may be knockoffs or of poor quality according to local women. Wine and candy are very inespensive say UAH10 to 20per bottle or a nice local box of candy. Note a cake may cost as much as a local flat for a native resident, but makes an excellent hostess gift.
Interpreters. There are two options here. First, a professional interpreter that would cost about $100 a day. You will get it if you go to a serious company or find a professional freelancer. Second, someone who just knows English and wants to make extra bux. You can have them for $5 an hour. But it is very much like using translation software. Usually if you deal with a dating agency this is what they offer. But good translators seldom work for dating agencies because salaries are not adequate for a pro. So, agencies just look for students or young people desperately wanting a job. But there is a saying here among employees: we work the way we are paid. This is one of the reasons the economy is not prospering, but I will not delve into philosophy here either. Just remember that on the other hand you get what you pay for.
To sum up, plan on something like $250 a day.

Is it safe to visit Ukraine?

Yes. Actually, Ukraine is one of the few former Soviet republics which didn’t have any military actions and ethnical conflicts on its territory. You will feel quite safe on the streets in the day time as well as in the night time in most of the towns.

I have heard something about Chernobyl. What about radiation?

The US Embassy and other official organizations consider radiation levels in Kyiv and most of Ukraine safe and normal. To be frank, it is not as nice as it seems but if you stay here for a month or two the exposure will be minor.

Which cities would you recommend visiting?

Top five major cities that you should visit while in Ukraine (by regions):
In addition, you may also want to go to

Accommodation

Where can I stay?

If you are heading for Odessa, please see the hotels page. Basically, hotels are a good idea if you travel alone and on your own. If you have friends with you or someone to take care of you here (e.g., using a local translator or guide), you may try a private apartment. It will not necessarily be cheaper but not so noisy as a hotel and more private. Which is critical if you are coming over to meet a girl. Many girls would not like to appear in a hotel with foreigners because hookers often hang out there and the staff would think that she is one of them, or if she is seen by someone who knows her, gossips may spread.

How much does accommodation cost?

Be ready for something about $50 per night though you may find cheaper options down to $10 a night.

I want to take my laptop with me. What about electricity?

The standard electric voltage is Ukraine is 220 V. If you have your electric appliances/accessories, do not forget to bring a plug adapter for the outlets and power converter if your gadgets use 110 V or something else. If you have been to Europe you have the idea what Ukrainian plugs look like, but they have thinner pins, so European plugs do not fit into Ukrainian sockets. However, Ukrainian plugs can fit into European sockets and most hotels are now equipped with them. As a last resort, you can ask the maid in the hotel for a plug adapter or get it in an electrical appliance store.
Please note that outages are common in Ukraine.

Transportation

Is it easy to get a cab? How much does it cost?

Yes. In fact, you do not have to wait for one. Just wave your hand to a car with no passengers and chances are that you will get a ride for a dollar or two. A lot of people make their living this way and even if they are not professional cab drivers, they are always happy if someone pays for the gas.
As for taxis you have to be careful as these guys are very greedy. Even locals have to avoid them because they tend to charge ridiculous prices, especially at train stations and similar places. There is a square in Moscow where they have several train stations. Unsuspecting people who wanted to change trains and took a cab to another train stations were often driven to another part of the city and then back to this square from another side and charged respectively. If you get off the train or plane you will see a lot of cab drivers hurrying to you and offering to give you a ride but you should never fall victim. Just go outside and walk a block away, wave your hand — and you will save ten bucks.
You also have to realize that if you speak English you may and will be charged more than a local, so it is best to ask for someone’s help in hailing a cab and negotiating the price.
A good option is call taxis (radiotaxi). There are companies in every town that render this service and it is usually not too expensive, especially compared to taxis at train stations. They charge a fixed fee depending on your route. You can see their cabs and put down the phone number (it should be easy to tell it from an advertisement onboard).
Basically, one kilometer is $0.35 on the average (gas included). Which is UAH1.5 to 2.

Can I take a train to another city?

Sure, why not. Ukraine has an extensive network of railroad which connects it to many European and Asian countries. The total length of railroad in Ukraine is 22,800 km. Trains are a very reliable way to travel within Ukraine, especially in the winter time when many domestic flights are cancelled or delayed due to poor weather conditions, while car travel is not good either (not as safe and expensive) and bus travel, being quite uncomfortable, will take ages. On top of that many cities just cannot be reached via air. A train will definitely be en-rout and will reach a destination point on time or with minimum delay, no matter what is the weather and time of the year. Therefore, train travel in Ukraine is so popular among travelers. Trains are cheap though slow and not very comfortable. First class compartments have 2 berths (some trains do not have the 1st class option), the second class has 4 berths. Forget about the 3rd class, it is a nightmare literally. Most trains are overnight ones so you go to bed in one town and wake up in the other. Trains are the most popular and easy way to make intercity trips in Ukraine.
Tickets
Train tickets can be purchased at the railroad stations and offices, and in a few travel agencies. Tickets cannot be reserved or put on hold, they can be bought only. You may be requested to show your passport for identification upon boarding a train since your name is printed on the ticket to prevent profiteering.
During off seasons there are no problems even if buying tickets 2-3 days prior to the departure. During holidays all tickets are sold out much earlier, sometimes a month in advance. Bad weather conditions may become another reason for train tickets deficit since flights are cancelled or delayed and trains become the best option to travel.
Prices for foreign citizens and Ukrainians are the same, basically around $10 second class. But you will have to pay for bedclothes separately, usually $1.5. When buying a train ticket one must produce one’s passport and the name is printed on the ticket.
Food
The majority of trains have dining or buffet cars, which serve alcohol and soft drinks, water, snacks and some cooked meals. But it is a good idea to take some food with you: bottled water, snacks, canned meat or fish, vegetables and fruits, cereal and packed milk, anything that will not spoil if stored in a room temperature and you can live on for the length of your trip. There is no cooler in carriages, so packed food is the best. The same applies if eating at a train restaurant. Getting food from train station vendors is not safe, no matter how delicious it looks. Fruits and vegetables are exception. Just wash them properly. Peaches, tomatoes, watermelons, apples, grapes and all grown on Ukrainian soil is just irresistible.
Hygiene
Always take personal supplies for hygiene, since it is a rare occasion when one finds toilet paper supply in a train lavatory or the paper might appear to be of a poor quality. Moisturized tissues will be handy too, for tapping water is mostly available at lavatory rooms.
Disposable cups, plates, spoons and forks will serve you good if your train trip is lengthy and you are taking food with you. Carry bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and washing up.
Security
Traveling by train is as secure as the other transportation options if you follow some simple advices:
Where can I find the Train Schedule?
I have the Odessa Timetable in my web site; if you want information on another city, there are some links here too.

Can I fly?

Yes, of cource. If you do not have wings we have some planes. But this time the price is higher for foreigners. On average, a plane ticket is about $50 and it is better to buy it in advance or else the price goes up.
Majority of big cities in Ukraine has air connection with Kiev. Tickets for domestic flights for non-Ukrainians might be more expensive than for Ukrainians. Best air connection with other countries goes via Kiev. Some domestic flights are not very reliable in terms of schedule — it is a good idea to make sure that the flight you have chosen is made on regular basis. Please note that most domestic air tickets can be obtained in Ukraine only.
Domestic air travel, being the fastest and easiest way of transportation, covers quite few destinations in Ukraine. There is a permanent air connection from/to Kiev with Dniepropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Lugansk, Lviv, Mariupol, Odessa, Simferopol and Uzhgorod. Transportation between other cities can be made by trains or buses. See the Odessa Timetable.

Communication

Telephones

My girlfriend has a Kyivstar cell phone. She told me the following number: 8067*******. That is 11 digits, and no country code? What would I dial from the US?
Just add +3 before. Phone numbers in Ukraine must have 12 digits and look like this: +380xxnnnnnnn where xx is the area code (sometimes it is longer, but for major cities and cell operators just 2 digits) and nnnnnnn is the phone number. E.g., Kyivstar cell code is 67. So her phone number should look like +38067*******.The 8 before is used locally to dial long distance. All the area codes have a spare zero in the beginning, so you dial 8, wait for the tone, dial zero and the area code, this time it is 67, that is 8w067, and then the phone number. But if you are outside of Ukraine, you dial whatever your operator requires for long distance, for example 0038067******* in Europe, 01138067******* in the USA.
By the way sometimes depending on the company you use in the USA, you have to call the company and have the international call blocker removed. Some standard cell plans only allow in country calls to be made out from the phone.
So, can I use SMS to talk to her?
Yes of course but you may not be able to SMS her from your phone in the States. For example, AT&T is no good. You should use web sites to send SMS (see the Links page). Even if you don’t read Russian it is fairly easy to find the SMS center. Sites that are in English sometimes offer a less advanced interface and may or may not let you access the SMS service section. Look for the "EN" symbol or the word "English".
Some common phrases you will see on the websites (Ukrainian will differ):
In addition you may see something like «Äëÿ îòïðàâêè ñîîáùåíèÿ ââåäèòå êîä, óêàçàííûé íà êàðòèíêå» with a code number and an empty box - you are required to enter in this number (it is to prevent SMS spamming).
If you want to try and send a short message from your phone, here is what you have to do.
Find your SMS menu on your phone. The plus "+" symbol can typically be found by holding down the "0" key for a bit longer, or pressing it twice quickly; it may sometimes be found on the "1" key also (consult your manual for more specifics). The "+" key may or may not be required in sending a SMS, if you are having trouble sending, try it both ways and see how the reply comes from your lady - i.e. if she sends you a message and her number has a + in front of it - you should include it and vice versa.
If it works and she replies, you may or may not be able to use the "reply" function as it will show just her standard number (you will have to create a "new" text message if it doesn’t work). Easiest to do this testing when she is online. Or include a different "special word" each time so she can tell you which setting went through.
Some Russian phones support the Cyrillic character set, but it is typically at a reduced message length. The Cyrillic will be transliterated (converted to English letters) in transit - the phone may or may not display the Cyrillic properly on the phone. It is safest to send in English letters and you have a maximum of 160 characters.
It is also possible to e-mail cell phones:
where xxxxxxx stands for the phone number (7 digits).
But, you have to make sure the message does not exceed 100 characters. If the message is not delivered, you are notified by MAILER-DAEMON.
I want to have a cell phone in Ukraine. What is best?
If you get a tri-band GSM phone it should work anywhere. Get your SIM chip here in Ukraine. You should buy a Superjeans package. Why? First of all, it is cheap. The SIM card will cost about ten dollars. It never expires, so you can take it back again and again and use it any time. The rate per minute is rather high (about 25 cents) and you also have to pay a small additional fee for each call (about 6 cents) but other offers may be even more expensive, so you have to put up with it. You can also buy a BASE package which costs 40 cents in business time and 15 in the evening/night but it expires a year after you last used it, so if you think you may not go back for longer than twelve months, you should opt for Superjeans then. Also, it is cheaper. Though I would recommend Base. To recharge your account, by a scratch card in nearly any store, erase the protective layer and enter the code into your handset.
How do I call the US from Ukraine?
From a cellular phone dial +1xxxnnnnnnn, where xxx is your US area code and nnnnnnn is the phone number. To get the plus, either press the corresponding key twice quickly or hold it down for two seconds. Usually it is the key with zero or asterisk in the lower row of keys.
If you call using a landline, first you have to make sure long distance calls are enabled. When you stay in apartments, wise landlords would always disable it so as not to be presented with huge bills when their guests are gone. But if long distance is on, you should dial 8w101xxxnnnnnnn, that is dial 8, wait for another dial tone, dial 10 which stands for international calls and then 1 which is the country code of the US, xxx which is the area code and nnnnnnn which is the phone number. Don’t forget that it costs about three dollars a minute.
Are there any caller ID’s in Ukraine?
There is something like Caller ID in Ukraine, and many people here have telephones that can show it. But it is different from American and European ones, and analog phones often do not show their ID. But whenever I am called on my cell in Ukraine, a number will be displayed. If there is no number, which is very rare, it means that they are calling from an old telephone station built in 1950s, and it does not happen often, usually I see who is calling. Usually, but not always, the number does not transfer on an international call. So a call without a number will be either an interbnational call or from a person with an obsolete fixed line.
While all cell phones have a small screen where the caller ID is usually shown, many phones on landlines don’t (you can see a lot of phone with a dial). A lot of people, however, are getting new sophisitcated sets and try to opt for ones with automatic caller ID detection so they always know who’s calling.

I was given the following address by a friend and want to make sure that I write it on my letter in the correct format. What should I write?

Just put the address exactly as it was given to you. You only have to make sure it makes its way to Russia, and they will take care of it there. For your information, in Ukraine we now must write addresses in the Western way: name of the recipient first, the country last.
As for being lost, our mailmen (or women, to be exact) are not very bright. Mail is often lost. So you had better use a commercial delivery service. If you just write letters, e-mail is best.

Internet

What is the typical cost for using the internet cafe?
About $1 per hour.
Is "@snow.ru" a common email address or ISP? I placed an ad and have gotten a lot of emails with this address. I hadn’t seen it before and was just trying to separate the agency emails from the personal emails.
Just type www.snow.ru in your browser address bar and you will see if it is an agency. There are no common ISP addresses here like aol.com in America. Usually it is free e-mail servers that people use.

Customs

I have been invited to my friends’. What should I do?

Are there any food or drinking precautions to take in the FSU?

You can buy food of European quality in many stores (you can use your credit card). If you go to a market you may get very cheap food but it may be of low quality and very often you get short weight, so it does not make much sense unless you want to see the color of a local market. But you may also get robbed there so it is best to stick to large foodstores.
As for water, never drink tap water. If you have no other choice, boil it for at least 10 minutes before you drink it. Bottled water is a good solution and it is easy to get in foodstores.

Girls

Engagement Ring?

This is not common in Ukraine. We do have both wedding and engagement rings in Russia but for some reason we usually do not use wedding rings and use only engagement rings instead. Perhaps this is the result of poverty under Soviet rule when it was too extravagant to have two sets of rings for one wedding. Usually people do with wedding rings. So you may save your funds and spend it on something else. This may also be advisable if you are planning to get the ring in the USA and bring it over to Ukraine as it may get stolen from your baggage or the customs will make you pay so much that you will not have enough means to go home (see above).
However, when your fiancee learns that it is an American tradition and she missed it she may be unhappy with you. Or she may already be informed that American men give their fiancees rings and expect you to. So you choose. As an option, you may buy the ring here in the CIS or bring it to the country where you are meeting her outside the CIS.
By the way Russians wear wedding rings on the right hand.

Can I marry my fiancee right in Ukraine?

You certainly can, but. It is not a good idea to marry in the CIS. People who did it regretted it as they had a lot of trouble bringing their wife to the States. You ought to go on a fiancee visa. That is the well trodden path.

I like Ukrainian women but before I go for it I would like to know how much it will cost me

To start with, you will have to pay for your correspondence and letter translation. It all depends, but I believe you have to earmark at least $250 a month for that alone. (You may need to spend more depending on the service but I, for one, charge $190 a month and another $100 may be required if the lady does not have e-mail and must be contacted on the phone).
Total costs will vary widely, depending on the method of approach, type of your agency, individual expectations and plain luck. Significant planning and communication efforts can realize huge savings by minimizing trips. Many guys who are starting out underestimate the time, effort and money required — probably $15,000 minimum. By the way the real financial and emotional challenges begin after she arrives.
It is very expensive dealing with women so far away. You may spend close to $30,000 in one year searching for your true love. But this is the cost of a long distance relationship, and with anything, nothing is guaranteed.
One of the big interim expenses is if you marry in the FSU and then apply to bring your new wife/family home is the higher costs of providing daily communications while apart. Including providing a home computer and Internet, frequent telephone calls and the really big one frequent visits to be with your new wife in her country until she has her visa to move to your country.
The other major factor here outside of cost in dollars is the cost of time you need to put into establishing the relationship, especially in providing for longer and more frequent trips to the FSU with you lady until she can immigrate to live in your country. This is like any other relationship and requires spending time together on a regular and frequent basis. In this case you have to do so away from your regular life and activities in your home country for extended periods of time.
When you come over to meet her, please realize that trip to FSU may cost you a few thousands. Air tickets will take a grand. Plan on about $100 a day. A good apartment is at least $50 a night. An interpreter’s days costs $30 to $120 (just remember that you get what you pay for, so if you are offered $35 a day it may be an inexperienced student who will need a translator herself). A decent meal at a nice restaurant is not very expensive. Usually it is about $40.00 for 4 people. A 2 hour tour of the city may cost $35 for 3 people.

Do I really need to pay for translations?

It depends on your luck and wisdom. Either you are lucky enough to meet a girl who speaks English very well, or, if you are not wise enough, you will use translation software.

So, can I simply find girls who are fluent in English?

You may try your luck but this will restrict your search a lot, especially if you are looking for someone young. There are a lot of girls out there, but few of them can speak fluent English. You cannot be sure that you will meet your ideal soulmate out of the English speaking ones. There are such gorgeously cute girls here you literally cannot take your eyes off — but they do not necessarily speak English, especially those in their 20’s. They can claim they do so that to attract you though.

And why can’t I use translation software instead of human translator?

Translation software is faulty by its nature because it has no idea of context. Humans use context to guess which meaning a word has in a particular situation. Just an example, when you say ‘blow’ it may be a verb or a noun. As a verb, it can mean the action of the wind or of a good girl :-), as a noun it can mean a hard hit or cocaine. You see how many meanings a simple word can have, and how is the software supposed which should be used in a particular text? It simply puts a fixed meaning even if it is a square peg in a round hole, and you get a messy translation which is unreadable, at best, or misleading and abusing, at worst. For instance, the Russian word for relationship can also be translated as ‘ratio’. So if a woman wants ‘to create ratios’ you now know what it means… but the list goes on, and you will never be able to make out all the passages. Further, worse than simple rubbish, see; if you know Russian a little, you can remember that the word ‘skuchat’ is translated either ‘to be bored’ or ‘miss’. Which is a big difference! A man once got a message from his would-be wife which read ‘I am bored with you’. Their relationship was ruined. As it later emerged, she meant that she missed him but her translation program could not translate it properly because it only had one meaning in its memory. Very sad. Do not let it happen to you! Get a professional translator (because someone who knows a few English words and wants to shear bucks posing as a translator may make a similar mistake).

OK, why can’t I use body language and electronic translators? I hear that people do well

Or think that they do? I have seen a lot of people talking to each other in their own language and having a feeling that they understand each other perfectly but since I know both Russian and English I was able to see their illusion. Do not delude yourself. It is not just my idea. There is a Russian movie about three people, a Russian, a Finn and a woman of a third nation who were stranded together in the North at the end of WWII. They talk to each other all the time and think that they understand but the audience laughs all the time because they actually do not and it turns really funny.

Hey, I have noticed something. There are no overweight girls in Russia or Ukraine! Is that true, or maybe the fat ones just don’t sign up for these dating agencies?

No, of course not. We do have fat people and fat girls too here. But their percentage is so small that the answer may actually be yes. In fact, I consider a woman whose height in centimeters minus her weight in kilos over 110 to be fat (e.g., if she is 165 cm tall and weighs more than 55 kg, she is fat to me). But I do not even see many of those, and meeting a really fat girl is a very scarce chance. Women in their 40’s may weigh more than that, and still a really fat person is a rare sight here.
Why? It is culture. Women here think about their appearance a lot. I will stress, a whole lot. And being fat is too terrible. Also, not as many people own cars here as in the USA. Finally, McDonald’s is not a place to eat daily here — people go there seldom for fun, when on a business trip or to amuse their kids (children love McDonald’s). But there are very few, if any people who would eat there daily.
The only problem is, if you marry a slim girl and get her to the US she might start gaining weight in a few years when she adapts to the new culture, gets her own car and becomes used to fast food and the availability of meat…
Also, when you consider proposing a girl, have a look at her mother. If she is fat… We have a saying: “If you look at your mother-in-law, you can see what your wife will look like in 20 years”.

I was asked an interesting question by a woman I am corresponding with: “Are you going to meet only me or several women? I want us to be honest from the very beginning”…

You know, honesty and women are hardly compatible things. What is more, women do not appreciate honesty on the ground, whatever they say. (Do not believe them either). Words that you say to her matter much more that what you actually do. There is a saying, ‘actions speak louder than words’, but if we apply this to women, ‘words are more efficient than actions’. In my experience no actions are enough without words, but words alone can help without any actions. This is women, we cannot change them. All we can do is to understand them and act respectively. The only real use that women have for honesty is for manipulating men. So do not buy it. Tell her you are going to meet her only but do have a back-up plan. She will be happy. All she wants to hear is that you are coming to her only. But remember that she may be dating other men and can dump you without the slightest doubt if she finds it suitable.
Yes, I do suggest telling the lies. “Do not ask silly questions and you will hear no silly answers”. It should be her fault for making you lie, not yours. Why lie? Simple. Women do not appreciate honesty. Strange as it seems it is true, believe me. I am not sure about American women but Ukrainian ones like to hear how much you love her, that she is the only one, lots of this bullshit, etc. I guess that all women are like that. So, if they like to hear the bullshit even if they know that it is bullshit, let them do. Tell her that she is the only one if that is what she wants to hear.
Of course she wants you to meet her only. But, asking you whether you are going to meet other women is actually against unwritten rules. Because if you are smart, you are. But if you answer honestly, she will be put off. If you lie, it is a lie. So she is putting you into a bad position where you lose both ways.
But, you have to be very careful and make sure she does not know anything. On the other hand, you always have to be careful when it comes to women. “Women worry about their future until they get married, men do not worry about their future until they get married”‘…
There are plenty of gorgeous women here and few earnest American men looking for Ukrainian brides. The math isn't hard to figure who is in demand and who is in command of the situation. And further, no one can know for sure if he only wants to meet one woman until he actually meets that one woman.
In my humble opinion, if I were the girl, I would do my best to make you forget all the other girls on earth, and then she would not even have to ask. But I am logical. As a man. Women's logic is actually NO logic.
So, before she is the only special one for you, do what is best for you, not for her. If she dumps you tomorrow (and she can easily do it, refer to the above paragraph!) you will have to start over again. So, meet many and if they ask silly questions, provide them with relevant answers. They will only be happy .
I do not imply that women are stupid, this is life. As one of my friends says, "Women. Can't live without them, can't shoot them.” He is an American man happily married to a Ukrainian woman by the way. And she did ask him this question before they met (on the phone I mean). He answered frankly and she was upset. But he married her after all, so she did not have to worry actually.

I want to send her flowers and get a photo… is it OK with her? Do women who receive flowers and pose for a photo realize that the purpose of the photo in many cases is to let the man know she is real (or at the very least, a woman who looks like the lady they think they are corresponding with lives at that address)? Aren’t they offended?

First, the flowers offset any ill feelings RW may have regarding the photo. Whenever I deliver flowers here in Ukraine, women are happy to have their photo taken. In fact, they never think about some proof or scams because if I manage to deliver flowers to a lady, she is real and unsuspecting of any scams. Besides, they are usually aware how much men appreciate females photos so they think the real reason for the photos to be taken is that the man wants to see her once again, and it is pleasant. So, no offence.

I see a lot of ads from Ukrainian girls and many of them have Nordic features, specifically blond hair and blue eyes. Are they really common there?

They are not extremely rare but on the other hand many blondes here dye their hair. Still, Ukraine is different from Greece and Bulgaria where people tend to have a bit darker complexion, so gray eyes are more common here than dark eyes, and I think that if we have few real (natural) blondes, we have even fewer real brunettes with black eyes. The thing is that the Ukrainian people historically comes from the North (from Russia), unlike other peoples in South Europe, so it is no wonder nordic features are there.

What is so special about Ukrainian women? Why do men go for them?

If you come over and meet some women you will see that most of them have the following great features:
On the other hand, American woman are too demanding. Ukrainian women might be as demanding, but the difference is that they give something back as well. By the way they got back too ;-). Also, if you are in your 40s you cannot expect a woman in her 20s to have a look at you in the US unless you are very rich. Many Ukrainian women do not mind age difference.

I am planing a trip to the FSU and I wanted to have flowers to present to my greeting party (she would be waiting for me at the airport). Whats the best way to get flowers before I get there? Must I drag them with me from the start of my flight? I would expect a layover in the UK.

It is not a good idea to “drag” flowers from the very beginning of your trip because they would more likely wither and lost their initial beauty. Moreover they will cause you a lot of troubles. Flowers a re a huge business in Russia and any FSU country...dont worry no problem finding some. Pretty cheap too.
In fact, if you are off the plane, it is they who should greet you with flowers, so relax. Seeing you there will be a lot of emotion for her so she may not actually notice your flowers. It is better to get them to her later when she calms down.

When a Ukrainian woman signs her letters "Your Natasha" is this a normal way to end correspondence? Could it indicate she is very interested in me?

There is nothing special about it , so don’t hold your breath. It is just a cliche like Sincerely yours. But, it is indeed used when you write your friends, so it might indicate you are on a better level. However, I will repeat: don’t hold your breath.

Any particular agencies I should be looking at, and which ones should I be avoiding?

Choosing an agency is a personal decision based on reputation, size, services and costs.
There are many abusive agencies so beware. I believe that the best way is to get some addresses and talk directly, without any agency. You can use a third party translation service but you ought to stay away from agencies that tend to control everything and foist a lot on you. Based on my epxerience, I believe that there should be introduction agencies and separate translation agencies, but as long as you use the same dating agency both to meet and talk to your lady, things may go awry. So keep it in mind.

How do I tell an honest dating agency?

Unfortunately, the term ‘honest agency’ sounds more like an oxymoron nowadays. Still, there are some clues. First of all, if the agency will not let you have the contact details of women you write to, it’s time to move on. Then, if they make it a point that you should have them 'help' you to get accommodation, etc, it is a red flag. Tell them you are going to hire your own interpreter who will take care of you while you are there and see the agency disappear (you will get a letter purportedly from the woman you are talking to stating she is sorry she met somebody…). As a rule of thumb, you should avoid ‘marriage’ agencies. A dating agency is a dating agency, and ‘marriage agency’ means it is based here in the FSU and uses poorly paid translators who don’t know the right term. In fact, you should use US based dating agencies rather than FSU based ‘marriage’ ones; the word 'marriage' just gives them away. And don’t forget, you should not use the same agency to meet women and talk to them if you want to remove potential abuse.

In some agencies you can see how many guys retrieved the address of the girl, and I can’t understand why someone would write to a girl that received already 200-300 letters

And that is about all that most of them do — write. When in comes to actually getting or renewing their passport, getting the visa, paying up all the money for travel and expenses (most of them have to fly overseas), fear of the unknown, rumors, add nausea; well, all of this tends to seriously weed out the looky-loos and jerf-offs. Ironically, out of that 200-300, she might get 1 visit if she is lucky. Here’s a little tip: if you really want to get a girl’s attention and receive a letter from her, include a photocopy of your unexpired Ukrainian visa with your letter! That will get her pen moving and probably bump you to the front of the line.

I will be visiting a girl in Kiev in June and she told me that she would be happy if I went to stay at her flat. I liked the offer because she shows real interest in me, but at the same time I think she just want avaid that I meet other girls. What do I do? So how to tell her no, that I will stay at the flat rented by the agency? It's OK to tell her the truth, that I will be there also to meet other girls? But don't want to lose her!

You are in a fairly difficult situation. On the one hand it is always better to tell the truth, so that to establish good relationship based on love, trust, honesty and mutual understanding from the very beginning. On the other hand if you tell her the truth you may lose her, because if she invites you to her parents’ apartment, it means that she is serious about her feelings and intentions… If you tell her that you are going to meet several women, she may think that you are not serious and sincere with her and you may lose her. However there is a possibility that she will understand, but no guarantee, that her feeling towards you will be the same…
Again, you can tell her that you prefer to stay in a flat, provided by the agency because you don’t want to cause her and her parents discomfort. But you can’t be sure that when you date with other women she will not know about it…and it would be even worse! So my suggestion is (if you really like her and don’t want to lose her) - stay at her flat and see if everything works out between you. If not, if something goes wrong you can always go and rent a flat. (I am sure the agency will help you). And then contact the other ladies, using them as a backup plan.
If you look at the situation at another angle, remember what your goal is. It is to find a wife. It is not to get married to this girl. There is a difference. What is her goal? To find a foreign husband. She knows the rules of the game and is trying to manipulate you to exclude others, so that she can attain her goal. It would be nice if your goals and hers meshed, but there is every chance that they will not, but after a week of being love bombed by a young, motivated woman, you will think that you are in love forever. If she is actually considerate of your goals, she will not be happy, but will not stop you seeing other women. If she tries seriously to hamper your actions, then her goals are more important than your shared goals and you should drop her.

What If She Speaks Absolutely No English?

The language barrier itself should not be a problem if you look for your Only One, a Lady of your dream. But on the other hand, language is much more significant than age or culture. If you do not know why your girlfriend just laughed, or cried, then what can you do, or say. How can you share the pleasure and the pain? It ends up being about food and fucking. Even if the girl wants to learn in the future, that is not good enough. I mean if you cannot talk, how can you decide if you are right for each other? Use an interpreter to get to know each other, and in the meantime help her with her English. Basically it takes about six months to learn English well enough to be able to talk.

Do Ukrainian women want to work once they marry a guy abroad?

They seek men with financial stability because Ukrainian women in general believe the man should be the provider of the family and shoulder the financial responsibility. They do not like the idea of having or being forced to work but they will do what is best for the family. Generally, many Ukrainian women looking for a husband abroad do it because they want an easy life and not because they are eager to work. Unfortunately, it must be admitted that the real reason why so many Ukrainian women are there is the economic prosperity in the US contrasted with the harsh situation in the FSU.
Though not all RW mean that. Many is not all and is not even most. There are also other reasons. You just should make it clear that you are looking for a partner rather than a banal housewife. In fact, many of them change their mind once they are there.

A lot of these girls I see on their ads have a ‘lip smile’, as if they are trying to hide their teeth. Is it really that bad over there?

Don’t let the lip smiles scare you. While in America all people smile to show their teeth, it was considered highly impolite to show your teeth in old Russia. At that, not many people have bad teeth and I am sure that out of all women you see in the profiles hardly a few would have bad teeth. In fact, if a Ukrainian woman has bad teeth, she will not even try to meet someone here let alone going on the Net. Ukrainian woman are very sensitive to the way they look, hygiene, etc. You must have noticed that they dress up very nice, but besides they are very clean and careful about their health, etc. Clothes is what you see, but the inside is as good.
Besides, it is not that easy to smile to show your teeth. When I try to, I look like a predator looking at prey. My American friend sent me photos of his Ukrainian wife. She is trying to smile this way and looks a bit silly I would say, but she is obviously learning. I personally do not quite like the American way of smiling, something I appreciate about Ukrainian woman is that they usually have a small cute mouth. Of course, if you smile your teeth every day, your mouth will take half your face, that’s what happened to Julia Roberts.
Finally, a good Russian proverb states that you do not look at the teeth of a horse given to you. I think that women are not worse than horse (though there are some women out there that are actually called the same, but they are not worse either), so do not worry much about their teeth. They are OK anyway.

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