I remember drinking in a bar in Poltava with an English-speaking acquaintance. It was quite a noisy place. One of those places where you had to pay close attention to hear what your companion was saying to you. Anyway, right out of the blue some monstrous and drunk man smashes his beer glass into a hundred pieces on our table and screams at the top of his lungs in Russian: I hate you *?!$#* Americans!!

caissa, yes, sometimes you can meet rude people in Poltava. But this situation is not very common in Poltava.

I didn't mean to imply that this sort of intense reaction was common in Poltava. I was only relaying an interesting but traumatic experience I had there. What I did find to be somewhat common was the dirty looks I got sometimes when I was overheard speaking English. It got to the point that when I was with an English-speaking friend I became a little self conscious and found myself speaking very quietly to whoever I was with. Another interesting reaction, pointed out by a Lebanese friend who lives there, was what I call the 'following.' If we were walking and talking, sometimes a little group would follow you. I completely didn't notice this until he pointed it out. We would occasionally stop and discreetly notice that a few other people would also, for no apparent reason. And when we started up again, so would they. Since I speak a little Russian, I found people to be generally very friendly if they heard me be able to order my drinks and make a little smalltalk. I studied Russian for six months in Poltava. I

Ha, maybe they were thaining their language skills in this way?

I have traveled to Poltava many times in my life. Being that I dont understand Russian fully I can't say I heard bad things being said about me. However I found the opposite reaction. I was hoping speaking english would be a means of meeting people. However no one even looked at me or was a little bit interested in that I was a foreigner.

I was disappointed. I wanted to meet people.

I forgot to add that the only people that spoke with me where people that I was sitting beside for hours at the bars.

Ah, bad luck not much people know about that forum, in Poltava a lot people would be glad to meet and speak with foreigners.

Hi folks. I've been living in Poltava for about 2.5 years now so I've had some time to think about what it means to be a foreigner living here. The following is however only my opinion and some of you may not share it...

I think speaking English here can be problematic in SOME cases. For example I've had one of my Ukrainian friends being accused of showing off for speaking english on a bus. I've also had lots of people turning their heads round and staring at you - you can become paranoid thinking about it! I've also been at a party and had some young guy saying I was just here for the women. I've found the local shopkeepers can try and rip you off when they realise your foreign (a local once told me that they can do that with everyone though!)

Obviously if your speaking to a university student who studies English or economics or something they will be VERY interested in you. They will welcome the chance to practice their English. Other people might just be a little wary of you and others downright rude. The people who are wary of you will appreciate it if you at least try to speak to them in Russian or Ukrainian. They can open up to you very quickly understanding you more which is why I recommend trying to learn at least a little Ukrainian or Russian. It really is appreciated and shows that your genuinely interested in their culture etc. As for being wary its also understandable - lets face it there is a sizeable section of foreigners coming here for WOMEN! The locals know it. (Please note I'm saying some not all foreigners) There are also a large number of religious foreign groups here trying to convert the locals - sorry I don't mean to offend but a lot of people resent that! As for the rude people - just ignore them, there are good people and bad people in every single place on earth. I'm also going to suggest that perhaps both British and American international standing has suffered recently due to the actions of our idiot governments - I'm not sure if I am right in this but I would not be surprised if at least a minority of people here dislike us for it.

As for some people just not taking an interest in you as a foriegner I have also experienced this and would make 2 points about it - (1) the longer you've lived here the more you will appreciate just being ignored! Sometimes its good just to be able to walk around and do your own thing (2) why should they be interested in us? There are a lot more Westerners here than ever before and the locals have long been subjected to some forms of westernisation. We are simply not as unique here as we once were. Besides we are here to experience their way of life not the other way around. Having said that it can be difficult to meet people here and it can be quite frustrating.

But on the whole I would say that a large percentage of the local population as Fragov points out are keen to meet foreigners, are very friendly and hospitable. Just don't expect people to throw themselves at you and be willing to get yourself out there rather than waiting for it to come to you.

Thans Steve, it's a great post! Welcome on Poltava Forum!

My personal situation. Either I look Ukrainian (no chance) or I am just lucky. I have never been approach, hassled in Ukraine at any time for any reason.
I have to practically beg people to talk with me on the streets, in stores etc. I have been overcharged for anything. I have done lots of tests for this too.
Actually, I have given big tips to regular store employees and had just about everyone returned the moneyto me. I could not communicate that is was a tip. So I either ran away leaving the money or just took it back. I had free rides, free rent from perfect stangers. I have tried to buy a few apples etc from the ladies on the street and overpay and can't.
Ukraine is not perfect, but it should not have any type of bad reputation associated with it too.

Ukraine is my place to be.