Chernobyl movie, Tymoshenko’s imprisonment, the world famous beautiful Ukrainian women, and EURO 2012 football championship, helped Kyiv reappear on the world tourism map. And, indeed, the city is really interesting and very beautiful. It has a stunning architecture, crazy people, and a hell of a lot of pretty girls. It has something to eat, drink, see, and feel.
Warning: this article is 18+. It contains obscene words, references to alcohol and sex.
Language
The first rule for any traveler who is about to enter Kyiv is to clarify where exactly he/she is going. It is neither European nor Russian. People here speak Ukrainian, Russian, and sometimes English but you cannot expect people to understand English everywhere. Try to learn at least some basic Russian words or take a phrase-book. But the most important rule is to learn swearing words. Russian language has one of the biggest cussing vocabularies you have ever heard. Kyiv’s citizens love to swear. It is interesting that only one syllable can change the meaning of a word from positive to negative. For example: “herovo” (the root of the word comes from “dick”) means a bad situation or feeling but “oherenno” (same root) means feeling great. Other frequently used words are “suka”, bitch, and “proval”, fail.
People
Kyiv’s people are pretty much the same as all Europeans. They love working, studying, partying, and drinking. It should be noted that Kyiv citizens are quite emotional, especially the elders. “Babushkas” (grandmas) are very special people. They were born in the Soviet Union and lived 20 years in the crazy and unstable time of independent Ukraine. Unfortunately, most of them are poor and have to find ways to earn some extra cash by selling stuff. There is a funny Ukrainian saying: “Ukrainian babushkas are very tough – they sell pancakes in order to buy bread. One more thing about babushkas is that they love to quarrel. They quarrel about politics, government, youth, and music. Funky looking people attract their special attention: they can be irritated if someone has bright red hair, tattoos, or more than one piercing.
Ladies
Kyiv ladies are very special. There is probably nowhere in the world where you will see so many beautiful women in one city. Bright and confident, fashionable and easy-going, they attract the attention of many men in the world. World Tourism Digest recently estimated that Ukrainian women were the most beautiful ladies in the world in 2012. Kyiv women are very diverse, some are working hard to build their careers and are independent but most of them are family-oriented. No wonder foreigners from all over the globe to seek their future wives from this country. They are pretty, intelligent, fun, and interesting. Nevertheless, there are some other women that are simply gold diggers. These girls are easy to identify. But overall, Kyiv girls are very attractive in all meanings of the word. The city is worth visiting simply to have a nice conversation with a charming lady or even to find your future Mrs.
Sex
Sex in Kyiv: As many other popular tourist destination, Kyiv has a booming sex industry. For those who are looking for easy pleasure there is no need to call for a prostitute or look on the streets. Simply come to a bar or a nightclub, open your fat wallet and if you are lucky, you will enjoy the nice company of a lady who has the world’s oldest profession. Be careful and practice safe sex, as Ukraine has one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. You can also find erotic services in Kyiv's many strip clubs.
Service
Customer service in Kyiv is also something very special. Although it is not as bad as it used to be, it still leaves much to be desired. Of course, luxurious restaurants in Kyiv and fancy cafes tend to have good service but most of the ordinary places don’t. Waiting too long? Eating ants with your soup? Your ashtray is full? Not their problem. At the end you probably won’t even hear that they are sorry. Pubs and clubs are among those with bad service. There is a short list of pubs in Kyiv that confine to the world standards of customer service. If to talk about supermarkets and little stores, you should recall babushkas.
Drinking
The last and one of the most important foreign rules in the capital city is how, when, and with whom you should drink. The answer is very simple: Ukrainians as well as Russians love to drink and if you are offered “50 grams” it is better to agree, especially if you are a tourist who is partying. This way you show trust and more importantly trust in the citizens. Drinking in Kyiv usually starts at home and continues at pubs, bars, and nightclubs. It is usually accompanied by dancing on the streets, screaming, and all night singing and all these will make your nightlife in Kyiv unforgettable.
All in all, the city simply has everything a tourist city should be. It has its unique and free spirit plus a little bit of а wild flavor.
