Any relationship can be quite challenging, but when dating someone from another
country, culture and background, you may have to deal with such obstacles as language
barrier, cultural differences and luck of knowledge on your fiancee's perceptions,
both about major life issues and about the little nothings of life. Therefore,
learning more about Ukrainian cuisine and drinking habits would provide you with
good start in your relationship.
First thing you should know about Ukrainian cuisine is that Ukrainians are
very hospitable and generous when it comes to feeding their guests. Moreover,
Ukrainian ladies love and know how to cook. So, the first of our Ukraine dating
tips is to be prepared to eat much and try not to refuse a second helping of
anything when you are invited to dinner over to your fiancee's home. Otherwise,
she and her family (especially her mother) might think you shun their hospitality
and dislike their food (and efforts put towards cooking it).
You should know that Ukrainian cuisine includes some very tasty dishes along
with some more exotic ones. Among the most traditional Ukrainian dishes there
are Borshch (beet soup), Vareniki (sort of Ravioli), Nalisniki (pancakes), Golubsti
(cabbage rolls) and Salo with garlic (Pig's fat). Some of these you may like,
while others you may hate. So, another one of the Ukraine dating tips is to
think out some nice explanation as to why you do not want to eat or even taste
some of the food offered to you.
Make it something nice and believable. In the US or in most European countries
people do not eat pig's fat. You might feel sick even thinking of eating something
like that, but it is no good telling so to your fiancee's family. So, think
out ahead of time some reputable reason why you deny their refreshments.
As to the Ukrainian drinking habits, you should know that many Ukrainian men
do drink a lot. Most Ukrainian men prefer vodka or cognac. In fact, this is
one of the reasons why many Ukrainian women wish to marry foreign men. Thus,
if you want to be successful in your Ukrainian dating you should better follow
the third one of the Ukraine dating tips: do not drink much and do not share
much with your lady your "pub adventures".
Of course, some ladies in Ukraine do drink a lot of alcohol, but most of them
would think it acceptable to drink some wine or liquor on certain occasions,
such as dates, celebrations or holidays. Moreover, some ladies make it a condition
for the men they wish to date or marry that they would not take any alcohol
at all!
When visiting your lady's family, it would be a good idea to discuss this matter
with her before you offer her any alcohol, or when you get ready to go and visit
her family. If she is not flat against it, you may get a bottle of good vodka,
cognac or wine for her family or her father. Finally, in any case restrain yourself
to taking only a few drinks, no matter how generously her family offers you
to take more.
Keeping to these simple rules when dealing with Ukrainian cuisine and drinking
habits will help you to positively impress your lady and to avoid unnecessary
conflicts in your relationships.