Post: #26

(04-06-2015 07:23 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Hi,

I was wondering is suit game essential for Lviv? I was looking through my suits and I would hate to get a cigarette burn on any of them. I debated buying a cheaper suit but wondering if anyone would notice. I got a couple of sports coats ready to go.

I could take on older Hugo Boss and alter it a bit. But it has cuffs an a couple of pleats on the pants.

I am just trying to put in a lot more effort getting ready than my trip a couple of years ago to Poland.

Thanks so much!

Last time I was in Kiev all the restaurants and bars were implementing a government imposed smoking ban indoors. I'm pretty sure it applies across the country not just in the capital.

P.S. Pleated pants with cuffs! Burn those suits.

Post: #27

^^ I know lol. So bring one of the other suits eh?

Post: #28

Hey
I'm in Poland. I am highly considering hoping over for my first visit to the country. I'm wording mostly about security, being that in a black American. Lol I stand the hell out. What do u think?

Post: #29

(04-20-2015 12:04 PM)elabayarde Wrote:  Hey
I'm in Poland. I am highly considering hoping over for my first visit to the country. I'm wording mostly about security, being that in a black American. Lol I stand the hell out. What do u think?

I am now in Lviv (again) and I cant say much about Kiev, Odessa or Kharkiv as I never went there.

Its really difficult to write any opinion or advices regarding black guys here, cause in 3 days I saw maybe only one or two of them here and they seemed to be an African students. So definitely you will stand out a lot and much more comparing to place like Wroclaw (or any other medium or big sized city in Poland).

No black guys in clubs, for now foreigners seemed to be mostly Turkish, but here they are mostly limited to one club (Metro).

But Sunday was my first night here, so cant say if any black guys were clubbing on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

In general people here are in my opinion very passive, they have enough things to worry about. Of course maybe some drunks can cause problems, but they can probably also cause problems for any foreigner or even some other local guy.

Also being American will work in your favour here with current political climate.

Post: #30

(04-20-2015 12:04 PM)elabayarde Wrote:  Hey
I'm in Poland. I am highly considering hoping over for my first visit to the country. I'm wording mostly about security, being that in a black American. Lol I stand the hell out. What do u think?

I just got back from Ukraine as a Mexican American. I can tell you that you will stand out because I definitely did. In the 2 1/2 weeks that I was there I saw only 1 black person. I don't think you will have any issues at all. The Ukrainians treated me very well and most of them are going through hard economic times, so they don't have the time or energy to be racist. Although one Ukrainian did tell me that they don't like when Blacks take their women, but honestly who cares? What are they going to do about it? Just have fun and be smart about your surroundings and try to not piss the wrong person off.

Post: #31

(04-23-2015 10:26 AM)CharlesHustle Wrote:  

(04-20-2015 12:04 PM)elabayarde Wrote:  Hey
I'm in Poland. I am highly considering hoping over for my first visit to the country. I'm wording mostly about security, being that in a black American. Lol I stand the hell out. What do u think?

I just got back from Ukraine as a Mexican American. I can tell you that you will stand out because I definitely did. In the 2 1/2 weeks that I was there I saw only 1 black person. I don't think you will have any issues at all. The Ukrainians treated me very well and most of them are going through hard economic times, so they don't have the time or energy to be racist. Although one Ukrainian did tell me that they don't like when Blacks take their women, but honestly who cares? What are they going to do about it? Just have fun and be smart about your surroundings and try to not piss the wrong person off.

That's a pithy post, CH! But I'll bet the E-man might appreciate a couple of personal examples. Like, in what way did you "stand out?"

American culture, via film and music, precedes us all in Europe. And so, people have their pre-conceptions when we arrive. Meeting us is another matter - it opens doors and closes others.

Thus, examples please?

Post: #32

(04-24-2015 03:14 AM)Orson Wrote:  

(04-23-2015 10:26 AM)CharlesHustle Wrote:  [quote='elabayarde' pid='1004001' dateline='1429549474']
Hey
I'm in Poland. I am highly considering hoping over for my first visit to the country. I'm wording mostly about security, being that in a black American. Lol I stand the hell out. What do u think?

That's a pithy post, CH! But I'll bet the E-man might appreciate a couple of personal examples. Like, in what way did you "stand out?"

American culture, via film and music, precedes us all in Europe. And so, people have their pre-conceptions when we arrive. Meeting us is another matter - it opens doors and closes others.

Thus, examples please?

I spent most of my time in a college town called Chernivtsi, so the locals were very welcoming and pleasantly surprised to see a foreigner in their town.

My Ukrainian girlfriend mentioned that people stare because my facial features are latino, but my full build is very European (6'2 190 pounds) so people are curious where I am from. After a while I just accepted the fact that people stare simply because I look foreign rather than assuming people stare because they see an attractive man like in America.

In terms of fashion in Ukraine, you must understand there is rich fashion and there is poor fashion. I dressed very European/neutral in order to fit in with the locals that are considered rich by Ukrainian standards. My fashion sense did increase my status as a foreigner because people assumed I was a well off individual and thus treated me with status.

Another way to stand out positively is to learn how to order basic menu items in Ukrainian or Russian. You will impress the waitress, the local women and everyone snooping on your conversation.

In short, all the ways that I stood out were considered unique and made me an incredibly interesting individual to the locals. As a foreigner, regardless of your ethnicity, just understand you are at the bottom of the food chain until you prove your worth. You must prove your status by the way you walk, talk, dress and assimilate with Ukrainian culture. The icing on the cake is having American Status, but you must have a good understanding of pop culture, American history and rock n roll to fill their expectations of an American. In my experience, I felt like I was being interviewed by a panel of Ukrainians inside a bar!! Question after question about America! But, if you know your shit, they will look at you like a rock star!

Post: #33

Not sure where you live but Lviv is probably the most beautiful city in Ukraine, don't know why the hell you would think its ugly. Its like an untouched Budapest. Good data though

Post: #34

So i posted that a while back.......
Im not in budapest, considering taking the hop. But just trying to decide which city in UA.

Post: #35

I've stayed in Ukraine for a month in 2012. I wish I would have gone to Lviv after reading all this.