Ukraine Tidbits

Last Monday, one of my classes at the OLSC decided to do a potluck brunch. It’s the holidays, and the group comprises of adults- professional women. I was excited! I decided to skip breakfast and go straight to class expecting some nice biscuits or bread…maybe some fruit platters….Orange Juice…. Of course, I forgot that Ukrainians don’t really eat- so I ignored my grumbling stomach when I looked at the ‘spread’- a box of chocolate covered cherries, some chocolate chip cookies and tea. It was nice- but I was totally craving a nice American-style breakfast. Still- it was a lot of fun because after the official ‘class’ we ate and chatted and I learned a bunch of great tidbits about Ukraine that I hadn’t heard before:

• Apparently, there’s a huge underground economy. College professors accept bribes from students who want better grades on their exams. College deans accept bribes to enroll students. Police officers take bribes regularly to let go of speeding drivers. Doctors take bribes to facilitate and expedite health care. It’s a way of life.

• The tradition of gift-giving in the holiday season is the reverse of the way we do it in America. Over Christmas- there are no gifts given. Instead, there are presents over the New Year. And it seems that New Years is a much bigger celebration for Ukrainians [possibly vestigial from Anti-religion Soviet times.]
  
• There is a big competition between Odessa and Kiev. It's over which city is more cosmopolitan, warm, laid-back, gentile etc. People get quite animated over this.
  Finally- we had an interesting discussion about maternity leave.

It went something like this:

Me: So how much maternity leave do women get in Ukraine? In America, we get 3 months.

N: Oh, it is the same here!

Me: Really? That's surprising! Usually, the US is very low on benefits like that. Wow- so Ukraine only gives 3 months.... And it's tough on women because they're working until the last minute so they can save time for when the baby is born.

N: How much do you get after the baby is born in the US?

Me: Um. No- it's 3 months TOTAL.

N: What??! No, it's three months DURING the pregnancy. It's 3 Years after the baby is born!

Me: That's what I thought!!

N: Yes, and the government gives a sum of dollars for every baby that is born. And during the three months- the company does not give you any money.

Me: Well, yes, it's unpaid leave in the US as well. They don't give any money unless you get insurance.

N: Oh, but the government gives money right?

Me: No....

N: Well, here the company doesn't give you money... but the government does... of course.

Me: Yeah... of course.