AboutDaniel Reynolds Riveiro Expertise I can answer questions about Ukrainian places of interests and activities, including extreme sports like climbing, skiing and multi-sport racing (yes, they have them in Ukraine). I can also answer questions about Ukrainian culture, customs, language, politics and dating.
Experience I am a Peace Corps Volunteer currently living in Ukraine
Question Hi I just got back from a 12 day mission trip to Chernigov where our main goal was to install 2 septic systems and 2 fresh water wells along with building a bathroom with running water,toilets,and showers, for a drug rehab center. while I was there I couldn't help notice that the people weren't to friendly and they never would look me in eyes they where always looking down or in another direction, I first thought that maybe our help wasn't wanted there but seeing the tears on the people's faces who we did the work told me other wise. can you give me insight as to why they acted this way?
Answer There are a number of reasons why they could have acted that way. Ukrainian culture is a little less "friendly" at first than American culture. That is to say they want to get to know a person before they do things that we consider "friendly" (They also think that Americans are "fake" with their feelings because they act like people are friends before they get to know them). In addition, depending on the size of the town, you may have been one of the first foreigners they had met and were uncomfortable, or may have been embarrassed about their town in compared to what they thought yours was like and so felt uncomfortable around you. Other possibilities that I have heard Ukrainians voice is that missionaries are generally treated with distrust and anyone on a "volunteer trip" is actually a spy. In general, Ukrainians take time to warm up to someone new, especially a foreigner, and that is probably why.
