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.