National traditions of Ukraine. Habits, mentality and the way of living

Ukrainians are Slavs; more than a half of the population is Ukrainians, then Russians, Poles, Belarusians, and Romanians. Residents of Western Ukraine speak mainly Ukrainian, while those in Eastern Ukraine speak Russian. The state language of Ukraine remains the Ukrainian language. Ukrainians are hospitable people; they like to invite guests to their home and always lay rich tables for them. The guest of a Ukrainian home brings a pie or a cake, a bouquet of flowers for the hostess and a souvenir for the kids; it is better to bring everything at once. The number of flowers in the bouquet should be strictly odd, as an even number is only suitable for the cemetery. The residents of Ukraine love long conversations; they tell stories about themselves and other people quite well. They also like to listen to someone’s stories as well. Ukrainians can embarrass a foreign guest with numerous questions asked out of sheer curiosity. Ukrainians love to sing, especially during a feast.

There is no need to present expensive gifts to Ukrainian friends. Ukrainians believe that it is better to get an inexpensive, but useful gift or just something nice that displays the intention of the giver. Having received an expensive gift, a Ukrainian will consider himself in debt of the giver, or can even suspect that the guest has some mercenary motives and is trying to bribe him. Ukrainians are generous and usually in a good mood. They are temperamental, often unpredictable and poorly suppress both good and negative emotions, rely more on feelings than on reason. Most of the inhabitants of Ukraine differ in diligence and high efficiency.

The fig sign, that is, the thumb pushed through the index and middle fingers of the hand folded into a fist, is a rather rude gesture, though it is inferior in terms of level of rudeness to an elongated middle finger. It is considered indecent to point a finger at people or objects, for this they rather use all five fingers. Ukrainians are superstitious, which is why they avoid taking out the garbage in the evening, shaking hands and communicating at the doorstep, leaving empty bottles on the table. All these, according to beliefs, can lead to bad luck and misfortunes. It is forbidden to whistle indoors, especially in a residential area, in order not to be left without money. Spilled salt can lead to a quarrel, as well as the presentation of knives, scissors, and other sharp objects as gifts. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Ukrainians always take off their shoes before entering the house. They go around the house in slippers, and almost always, the hosts have at least one pair of spare slippers for guests. It is not acceptable to drink water from the tap, no matter how clean it is. Ukrainians love holidays and parties, and any occasion can become a reason for noisy celebrations. Friends and family are considered very important; they value close ties. At the same time, Ukrainians can be said to be individualists, for those who regard personal space to be important, and not just physical. This means that at least one meter of space should be maintained between unfamiliar people. If a Ukrainian decides not to open up to someone, then noting van be gotten out of him. However, he can open up everything, even the most intimate ones, to the people closest to him.

While meeting with unfamiliar and little-known persons, men shake hands, sometimes even buddies and friends greet this way. Shaking hands in gloves is not common. More often, during the greeting, close friends pat each other on the shoulders and back. Women who have not known long can shake hands. Men and women in official situations exchange handshakes too. Women welcome close acquaintances of both sexes with a kiss on the cheek. In public transport, Ukrainians are expected to give way to women with little children or heavy bags, pregnant women, elderly people of both sexes and people with disabilities. Ukrainians usually surround elderly people with honor, as it has been established from time immemorial.

The condition of Ukrainian women is two sided: on one hand, education and work are accessible to all women. They are independent, and many women work in the field of science, politics and business. On the other hand, a woman is still considered as an object. Women’s views are looked down on, and jokes about women’s logic and emotional instability are common. The task of cooking, cleaning the house, and taking care of the kids, is still expected from working women. Ukrainian women have a strong character, whose roots can be traced to the distant past, when the Cossacks’ wives remained in charge while the husbands were engaged in military affairs.

Ukraine is known for its interesting alcohol culture. Alcoholic beverages such as horilka and medovukha seem inseparable from the image of the country. It is considered indecent to refuse to drink, and the refusal to drink at a funeral of a martyr is regarded as disrespect and even an insult to the memory of the late. Poured alcohol is expected to be drunk completely. Strong and not so strong drinks accompany all celebrations, including church holidays. Ukrainians can get drunk, but there are few drunkards among them. Basically, alcohol is considered as a means to relax in the company of friends or relatives, and people who drink alone and without reason are given the stink eye.