Going on a date is always an exciting experience; especially if you are dating a lady from another country in her own country. In Ukraine, as well as in any other country, it is always best to extend the lady the dating courtesies she is accustomed to. You can never go wrong that way. People in Ukraine say that you are judged first by your looks and manners before you are judged by your intelligence. So, always make a good first impression on your first date and take note of the Ukrainian dating traditions.



Unlike in other European countries and the United States where the women are emancipated, Ukrainian women still like to go through a traditional courtship stage with their men. This is in spite of the fact that many of them are actually independent and financially support themselves. Ukrainian women do not just like to be courted, they actually expect it from their men. There are ethics to Ukrainian dating that you should know.

In Ukraine, if you are going out on a date, you do not meet the woman at the restaurant. Rather, you pick her up at her home or meet her at your hotel. Then you go to the restaurant together. Pay for her ticket if you are taking the public transport or pay the can driver if you are taking the taxi.

You will soon discover that paying for all the dating expenses is one major dating courtesy in the Ukraine. Go by this rule of thumb when dating your Ukrainian lady and you will never go wrong: you pray, I pay. It is not that women in the Ukraine are destitute or greedy; it is just the tradition there for a man to pay all the dating expenses.

Next, she would always expect you to show your courtesy by opening up doors for her, by letting her enter facilities first or by offering her a hand when she goes out of a cab or public transportation. At the restaurant she would expect you to help her get seated by moving her chair, etc. All such things are essential for Ukrainian dating courtesy traditions, because even though Ukrainian ladies are considered to be smart and independent, they still like to be very feminine and with great pleasure receive all such male courtship.

In addition to paying for all the bills related to your dating, you are also expected to give your Ukrainian lady some small gifts. If you are not celebrating a major event, you may send her candies and flowers.

However, be careful what flowers you select. In Ukraine you always give your fiancee an odd number of flowers, because the bouquets with even number of flowers are given for the burials only!

Another important thing about flowers is their colour. Do not give your lady yellow flowers, unless you know for sure that it is her favourite colour. In Ukraine, yellow is the colour of departure and separation. If your lady is superstitious she may believe it to be a bad sign and consider your relationships to be doomed for bad luck!