Leslie Schaefer UKRAINE

Background Kiev-Capital 5 th largest country in Europe Summer temperatures 85º F Winter temperatures 17º-3º F Constitution established in 1996 Ukrainian Anthem-Ukraine’s Glory and Freedom Has Not Yet Perished Ukrainian official state language Russian is also common Easter Egg originated in Ukraine

Culture Dress Comfort-lots of hills and cobbled streets Ladies tend to be very dressy Dance 3 types Religious, Social, and Story Holidays January 1 New Year’s Day January 7 Orthodox Christmas March 8 Women’s Day May 1,2 Labor Days May 9 Victory Day June 7 Trinity Day June 28 Constitution Day August 24 Ukrainian Independence Day

Cont. It is impolite to point with your finger. But if you must point, it's better to use your entire hand instead of your finger Remove shoes when entering someone’s home Don't put your thumb between your first two fingers; this is a very rude gesture Be prepared to accept all food and drink offered when visiting friends. Turning down food may be considered rude. (If you find you cannot eat it all, keep something on your plate to avoid having it replenished!)

Greetings The typical greeting is a warm, firm handshake, maintaining direct eye contact, and repeating your name. When female friends meet, they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating, while close male friends may pat each other on the back and hug. To speak to a superior with one's hands in the pockets or arms folded across the chest is viewed as disrespectful.

Meals Borsch-beet soup Ukrainians prefer to eat at home, leaving restaurants for special occasions. Meal times. The main meal of the day is dinner, including soup and meat, fowl, or a fish dish with a salad. Restaurant bills normally include a 5 percent service charge.

Gifts Ukrainians exchange gifts with family and close friends on birthdays and the Orthodox Christmas. ‘Name days’ (birth date of the saint after whom a person was named) are also celebrated rather than birthdays by some. Gifts need not be expensive. It is the act of giving the gift that is important, since it symbolizes friendship. If you are invited to a Ukrainian’s home for a meal it is polite to bring something; cake, flowers, or a bottle of imported liquor. Flowers should only be given in odd numbers and avoid yellow flowers. Gifts are generally not opened when received.

Business For business, dress should be conservative. Men should not take off their jackets unless asked. An eight-hour day is considered a normal work day, Monday through Friday. A lunch break is taken between the hours of 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Most banks are open without breaks, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-1p.m. Meeting schedules are not very rigid in the Ukraine.

Summary Ukraine customs and traditions absorbed the experience of many generations of people who lived in the country during its long history. Every new generation brings its own vision of every day rules of life to follow.