Information

Etiquette

When visiting Ukraine, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules of etiquette that may be useful:

* If you are invited into a family home bring a gift with you. A bottle of wine, a cake or a bouquet of flowers is customary. If there is a child in the house, it is appropriate to provide him/her with a small gift as well.

* If you bring flowers, make sure it is an odd number of flowers.

* Do not shake hands across the treshold of a door. It is considered bad luck.

* When shaking hands, take off your gloves (I think, it´s something you do without thinking, at least I do it automaticly)

* Be prepared to remove your shoes upon entering a house. To keep apartments clean most hosts will provide you with a pair of slippers.

* In public transportation give up your seat to mothers with childen, the elderly or the infirm (I think, thats normal as well)

* At the entrance of upscale restaurants, expect that your coat, briefcase or baggage will be checked.

* Be sure that you have a business card printed in Ukrainian on one side and English on the other side.

* When eating dinner at someone´s home, casual dress is accepted.

* Be ready to give toasts at dinner, for guests are often asked to do so. Especially someone gives you the last drop of wine or champagne. I don´t know, but it happened ALL THE TIME to me.... maybe the knew that my Russian or Ukrainian is not perfect.

* Offer to share your snacks or cigarettes with those around you.

* Be prepared to accept all food and drinks offered to you when visiting friends. Ukrainians are known for their generosity when it comes to feeding others. Turning down food may be considered rude.

* For business, the clothes should be conservative. Men should not take off their jackets unless asked.

* In Orthodox churches women wear scarves or hats, and men take off their hats.

* Do not put your thumb between your first two fingers - this is a very rude gesture.