Chivalry? It still exists!

This is a very familiar scene for me in Odessa- It's a view inside the Marshrutka.

What never ceases to amaze me is the chivalry and consideration in the marshrutka. Just about every time I've been on, I've watched a teenager give up his seat for a lady. Young women give up their seats for the elderly. Everyone jumps up for a young mother. It's remarkable!

When it's crowded, people pass up gryvna to the driver and give way to allow easy access to the exit.

In restaurants, men help women with their coats and pull out their seats. Waitresses, in turn, hang the coats up and retrieve them when it's time to go. Service is attentive, but not overly doting.

Drivers flying full-speed will always stop (sometimes a screetching halt... but nonetheless) for pedestrians.

Even with the poor economy- I have NEVER heard of anyone being cheated in stores or while shopping. They quote an accurate price, always return your change [even though language barriers could be an easy excuse to misquote a price] and they are incredibly helpful.

"Cпасибо!" is always greeted with "Пожалуйста!"

Overall, I see a great deal of kindness and courtesy in this country- Bravo!