- BE SENSITIVE TO THE CULTURE!!! Allow the Joy and the Presence of the Lord to Shine through You.
- Be sensitive to the sound level on the trolley or bus and in other public places. Americans don't realize how loud they are sometimes.
- Be aware of what you are saying… those around may just understand your first language.
- Be sensitive to the economic situation of the Russian/Ukrainian people. When purchasing American/Western products, realize that they are usually very expensive for Ukrainians. In things we are doing together with the Ukrainian Christians, we want to be able to model behaviors they can imitate.
- Russian/Ukrainian people are more relationship oriented than time or schedule oriented.
- If you are invited to someone's house, especially for the first time, plan to stay for at least two to three hours. More than likely, if it is the first time to their house, you will be served a meal.
- It is tradition that you take some sort of gift to the person who invites you to their home, i.e. flowers, cake, a bottle of spice, something from the US.
- Don't give an even number of flowers to a Ukrainian. In Ukrainian culture, to give an even number of flowers is considered a death wish. It is for funerals.
- Ukrainians are very hospitable people. Don't be surprised if they go all out for you.
- Don't walk anywhere alone at night if you can avoid it.
- Proper trolleybus etiquette is to allow the elderly and women with babies to have your seat if there is not another one available. (They'll remind you.)
- When entering a Ukrainian home, take your shoes off at the door. EVEN when they insist that you don't need to! Dust or mud is inevitable
- Never whistle aloud if you're inside a building. (Otherwise, you'll notice people casting puzzled or even angry looks at you - it is thought to bring bad financial luck).
- While trying to buy something at a shop on your own, avoid pointing your index finger too often at the item you want; try the pinkie. Try to watch your volume and tone of voice. If you wave your hands in their face and speak real loud at them, some saleswomen tend to go from being scared to irritated. In an emergency, use sign language. Some folks in sales love that.
- Do not put your feet on your host's furniture.
- Try to eat something of each of the foods prepared for you by your host.
- If you are not going to be on time for a particular meal, make sure you host knows that as much in advance as possible.
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