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Ukraine essentials
Customs
Every visitor to Ukraine should obey Ukraine’s customs formalities and regulations. When you cross the Ukrainian border you must fill out a customs declaration. It’s recommended to declare valuable items and money you bring with you in Ukraine. Items of high artistic and historical value cannot be exported without a permission issued by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. This applies to art collections or separate works of art, archeological or numismatic items, precious jewels, manuscripts, etc
Climate
The climate in Ukraine is temperate continental. It is mainly characterized by plentiful precipitation and cloudiness in winter and fall. Winters are usually long and cold. Summers are short but can be pretty hot. The average temperature in winter is 17-35 degrees F (-8 to +1 C), in summer - 65-80 degrees F (+18 to +27 C). In winter heavyweight clothing is recommended; lightweight clothing is good for summer.
Population
The 2002 census estimated the population at 2,600,000. Kiev is a mixture of various ethnic communities: Ukrainians, Russians and Jewish are the three major ones. However, you will also find representatives from all CIS countries or will hear pure English in the city center - they are businessmen and travelers from European and American states.
Local time
The time in Ukraine is set 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during day-light time). When it is 12:00 in Kiev it is 11:00 in Warsaw and Berlin, 10:00 in London and 5:00 in New York. Clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March (Mar 31, 2002) and one hour back on the last Sunday of October (Oct, 27, 2002).
Language
Ukrainian is an official language of Ukraine. However, Russian is widely in use in the country. Most people in Kiev and in Eastern Ukraine speak Russian as a main language, while Ukrainian is a main language in Western Ukraine. If you are familiar with one of these languages you will be able to communicate with Ukrainians without any problems. As of English, now more and more people learn this language, which is the most popular one among other foreign languages in the country.
Electricity
The electrical current in Ukraine is 220V AC. The plug-and-socket connection is different from one used in the United States. If you take appliances from your home, do not forget to take a converter and a plug adapter in order you could use your electrical appliance in Ukraine. For valuable equipment, it is recommended that you bring a surge protector to keep your electrical appliance safe. Note that devices not rated for 50 Hz will hardly operate properly.
Religion
Ukraine is a mostly Orthodox Country. You will enjoy Ukrainian churches; some of which were built almost a thousand years ago. Kiev-Pechersk Monastery is a complex where many religious people gather to celebrate religious holidays. Catholics will find St. Alexander's Cathedral along Kostyolna Street next to Independence Square. The Kiev Central Synagogue on Shota Rustavely Street represents the Jewish community.
Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu communities are represented by their churches, worshipping centers, mosques and temples.
Safety
As compared with large cities of the world, Kiev is quite a safe city. Crime in respect of foreigners adds up with pick pocketing and cheating in the markets. It is mainly due to the fact that offensive weapons are illegal both to have and carry in public. In order to avoid pick pocketing, one should keep any valuables, important documents and money in a safe place and not to flaunt in public.
Water
Tap water is chemically safe in Ukraine, but it is recommended to boil water before drinking it. It is even better to use bottled purified water available almost in every shop. However, we recommend that you buy water in supermarkets, so you can be assured that the water is not spurious. Note that hot water can be turned off for about one month during the summer time. Most hotels provide electrical heating facilities in a bathroom, so you will not face such problems.
Smoking and Drinking
Cigarettes and alcohol are much cheaper in Ukraine than in most Western countries. You can buy alcohol on reaching 18. Ukraine doesn't have any strict regulations regarding smoking, but indeed smoking is prohibited in public places and on transport. It is advisable not to buy cigarettes and especially alcohol in the street.
Etiquette
Prior to visiting Ukraine or any other foreign country, it is suggested that you learn some basic rules of etiquette used in the country you plan to go. Our simple recommendations will help you avoid some uncertainty you might have under certain conditions when in Ukraine.
Visiting someone in Ukraine it is advisable to bring a gift with you. It need not be expensive at all. Even a bottle of wine or chocolate would be a good choice. If you want to bring flowers, do not forget that even number of flowers is intolerable. If you go for a date, flowers are indeed required.
Ukrainians do not wear shoes in their home. So upon entering someone's home, be prepared to leave your footwear. As a rule, you will be offered a pair of home slippers.
If you are planning to go to Kiev's nightclubs, casinos and some other places, be prepared that your bag or coat could be checked for security purposes.
Ukrainians people are rather superstitious about doing some things. Shaking hands right over the threshold or whistling in-doors, for example, is usually considered bad luck.
When you go for a date with a women remember the following. Not to offer one's hand to a woman out of transport is considered a bad manner. Do not forget to offer a woman's coat upon leaving a theatre or restaurant.
Upon entering a Ukrainian church men should not forget to take off their hats.
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