I was in Kiev 3 days ago in front of the train station, I saw a 5 hyrivna note on the ground. I looked around and there was no one close. I pointed it out to my lady and she was on it in an instant. I pity the fool that would have tried to scam her, but I wasn't going to touch it.
Ive seen several guys(mostly older)sporting ponytails.
The latest "scam"...Americans who have spent enough time
here helping the kids to "scam" other Americans on the ruse that a fellow American wouldnt do such a thing
and that we only want to help;)
One of the guys who came on this trip accused me of scamming him as he met me for one of my
trips to the orphanage in Kherson. Because I got him to spend 500 bucks on the kids in my class
(9 precious darlings from 4-7 years)at the local peoples market he felt scammed.
He said he wanted to help so I took him at his word.
I will say to the rest of you on this forum, yes I want you to come here to find a lady but
it would be nice if you gave back to the country you are taking from.
If you are coming to Kherson, let me know because I would like you to give 50-100 bucks for some things
my kids need at the orphanage. They dont have much and you will return to your country hopefully
feeling like you helped and not like you were scammed and 50-100 bucks goes a LONG way!
Why so down on Ukraine? Im not lazy, there are enough ladies I dont need to go anywhere else but
if a good prospect should come from somewhere else? well hell yeah I will go:)
When traveling; “Out and about” why take chances?? It’s not just you, risking your money, credits cards and visa, but also the safety of the girl!! Just think what her family would think about you, if you and their daughter were beat-up and mugged??!
I try to blend in with a black leather jacket and black shoes , but no pointed shoes! Lol Back in 1998, I was in Moscow on one of Anastasia’s tours, and met someone there! She must have been really proud of me,,, because she paraded me through 3 of their malls; GUM, Platza, and the other one! I was wearing a black formal suit! We were the center of attention at each place!! Not good!! Several times we had a group of thugs trailing us! Any time I’m in a city, I’m on full alert!!
I don’t speak loudly when in public,,, it’s considered to be “Rude” over there anyway!!
Also, I wouldn’t be all over the girl in public! If foreign men were coming to my hometown, and trying to steal them away,,,, I would be pissed!
And if anyone is thinking;,,, they want foreign men,,,, why act like a local??? That’s BS!! They like their local men just fine!!!
danny41,,, are you saying; leave the credit cards in the room???? Never!!!!!! I keep them in an alternative place on me,,, no, not that hidden!! lol
You are somewhat right about the safety of the girl,, if she is by herself, she is not in much danger, but with a American,, I don't know????
Her family might be more worried about us,,,, but they will still expect us to protect her, I'm sure of that!
We left the social and went for a walk and ended up in three malls!! There wasn't an opportunity to change clothes! I would have never walked around that far, in a suit on my own choice.
She was parading me around!! Her head was up high!! I do look good in a suit you know!!!
Moscow and St. Pete! Out of control; good or bad??? I have heard nothing but good things about St. Peterburg! But I have not been there.
Yes! Beginners should always be careful!!!
Gee danny41,,,, I thought you were an American too??!!!! long pause,,, then;, lol!!!!
When I read what you had wrote,,, it made me remember what my Father said to me, a few days after returning from my last trip!! I hadn't said much about my trip before this,,, and it wasn't until a week or so later, that I realized I wasted my time and money! I had a bad feeling before stepping on the plane returning home!
Right out of the blue, he said; Sometimes,,,,, people will treat an honest or nice person, like he is some kind of dummy or fool!! Yep,,, he got that one right!!
I think that's what it is too!! We are too nice, and we spend our money to easily!! When giving a tip at a cafe' or where ever,,, most girls will shake their heads;,, No!! A taxi driver charges us 2x or 10x times what the fare should be,,, and we give him a tip?! ( I don't anymore)
We are treated the same way in Canada! For many years,starting sometime in the 1970's our dollar was worth more than theirs,,, until a few years ago for a brief time! After the change in the 70's, and for many years after, they wanted to treat both dollars as the same!! Even when our dollar was worth 1.20-1.30 of theirs, they would say; A dollar is a dollar!! You had to pull teeth to get the correct change, or,, exchange money at the border or bank, and only take a 1 or 2% loss!
But when thier dollar was 1 or 2 cents higher than our's,,,,, they wanted that penny!!!! If our friends and neighbors treat us that way,, how can we expect a country that is further away to treat us any better????
Our biggest problem is, that we are too nice!!!
I spent several months (total time) in Russia when I was married to my Russian wife. I remember walking on the street and asking directions from Russian people passing by and they were delighted and interested to help an American. This happened many times in Veliky Novgorod an St. Petersburg. In all, I never met one Russian national that was not helpful. Also, all my wife’s friends and family accepted me with open arms and gave me gifts every time we met. I think that danny41's woman is one of the "few" that are jealous of Americans.
In fact it has been my experience in travelling the Hawaiian islands and meeting many Australians there that Aussies are loud belligerent drunk people that don't care about how their behavior affects or bothers others around them. My guess is that Aussies are masquerading as Americans in Russia and giving Americans a bad name.
"Moscow and St. Pete! Out of control; good or bad??? I have heard nothing but good things about St. Peterburg!"
I'm not quite clear what the question is about, but St. Peterburg is by far the most popular tourist destination in Russia (also, its second largest city). As far as comfort and public safety goes, it is probably at least average for big cities around the world, and probably safer than quite a few of them.
Three things for visitors to pay attention to: 1) cross streets with care, drivers are sometimes VERY agressive; 2) pickpockets are VERY active in central Peterburg and Moscow; and 3) if you stay away from groups of drunk guys at night, you are very unlikely to encounter violence.
Unfortunately, if you have dark hair and olive skin, and your features resemble those of people native to the Caucasus mountains region, you may be in for lots of attention from police (frequent but not dangerous -- they will check your passport), and at some risk of attack by racists (fortunately rare, but can be very violent). If I had that "look", instead of trying to blend in (which is my policy Over There), I would probably try to look and act as Yankee (or Brit, Aussie, etc.) as I could -- I think the skinheads (and cops) aren't interested in people from the west, but rather ethnic minorities from Russia and some of the former Soviet republics.
As to credit cards -- I leave mine in my rented apartment, and usually a big amount of cash as well. All of the apartments I've stayed in had good physical security (it's a necessity Over There, because stealing is such a big industry). Of course, an apartment manager or housekeeper (people with keys) could steal my belongings, but apartment agencies won't stay long in business if they allow that sort of thing. I've stayed in apartments close to two dozen times, so far no problems.
I do put the cash in places where it would probably take some time to find, so if someone came in and made a hasty search, they might miss it.
On the street, I carry a wallet that has only a day or two of spending money -- the wallet contains no cards, ID, driving license or anything else. So loss of my wallet would be only an inconvenience, not more.
If you have a credit card -- or worse, a debit or ATM card -- than can be used without a PIN code, carrying it on the street could be a big mistake.
as was suggested to me before my first visit to ukraine (just as durak states), get a two dollar wallet and carry a small amount of cash in it, a couple fake credit cards etc. sort of a decoy wallet. I actually opened a new bank account and had an atm card with a pin for it, even if the card was pirated they could only get the 1500 I had there, it is a bit of work and planning, but consider opening a couple small accounts with an atm attached and keep a few hundred attached as 'carry around' money. this way the pick pockets can only piss you off a bit rather than ruining your whole trip. OH! I remember I actually carried a couple visa gift cards with me that were used up. they look like credit cards. if accosted by a mugger act frightened to death and hand over the fake stuff. then feel proud that you duped them later. and while on the subject, make photo copies of your passport, id etc. and leave the originals in a secure location.
I can see how an FSU would talk bad about Americans around Australians. I met a Ukrainian man on the train who spoke good English. He accepted me with open arms, as Minicooper would say. We partied with wine from another passenger and dried fish from the Dnepropestrovsk stop. He helped me exchange money and paid the bus fare for me. We also took the same bus to Boryspil. Our conversations were about our respective countries. He was all smiles.
He was proud of the fact that he had a good salary, comparatively to other Ukrainians as an Air Traffic Controller, at an equivalent of $500 USD a month. He noticed my baggage tags that I have been to Hawaii. I told him it was cheap and he said not on his salary. He asked about government assistance in America and he looked amazed that he, having two kids would be in government assistance in America. He did not say it, but I bet he was jealous.
A few minutes after I thought he went to sleep at the train, he got up and said some things about the American government which would make some of us angry, but for the most part is true. He must have been keeping that inside him for a while.
I guess it's good to avoid groups of drunk guys. Unless I'm with someone who is afraid, it doesn't usually stop me from going to where I want to go. To me, they don't know what they're doing and they're uncoordinated. If you don't provoke them, even if they're fighting each other, they won't harm you. I treat them like I treat bees. You can even touch them if you want to, gently. Just don't provoke them and you won't get stung.
danny41,,,,I think most of what you wrote is right on the mark. But, I don't stay at apartments anymore! On my January 2009 trip, I was locked out of my apartment just before midnight! I had my keys,,, but the code for unlocking the first door did not work? Long story! This was in Tver' about 3 hours north of Moscow, in January, wearing blue jeans, a leather jacket,,,unlined, no cap, no gloves, no cellphone,,,, the agency forgot to give me the one I paid for! Taxi drivers don't know the word;,,, Hotel?? I was on the street for 2 hours, carrying two bags of groceries!! I want that restaurant downstairs with internet!! My girls seldom show up,,, so,,, I'm not having too many home cooked meals!
I agree with Olga and her conversation! Another way to know what kind of girl she is,, is by looking at how she is dressed! Look at girls from Kiev,,, and then from a small city!! The Kiev girls like to shine!!
I have not heard of a "Bank cash passport card" before? I used to use travelers checks,,, but I heard few places will accept them in the Ukraine? I haven't had any problems with money, except when an ATM gave me 5,000 grevnars in small bills??!!! I had money stuffed into my jacket pockets!!
durak,,, The St. Petersburg, out of control;,, good or bad? Was from a line danny wrote on Dec 3rd! Out of control,, can mean like; Off the hook!! A really good time or party! I didn't know which way he meant??
Yes, you do need to be careful with traffic,,, I was almost ran over in Moscow three times,,, by the police!!! This was all taking place near Red's Square, GUM, St. Basils, Revolutionary Square! The police were drunk, driving around the small streets, almost tipping those little (SAMARA) cars over!! I know the pronouciation of the car,,,, but I can't spell it! lol Juboilee?
I agree on staying away from the drunks, they will want to start a fight for no reason! However,,, during my frequent visits to KBP airport, I am pestered by taxi drivers to no end!! Going from A to B and reverse,,, Taxi?? Taxi?? Where you go??? You American?? You go to America?? No problem,,,, I have taxi!!! GrowlRRrrrrrr I'm sitting in B and everybody should know I'm waiting for a flight,,,,,, Taxi? Taxi?? One group of drivers will be blocking the doors,,, the other will be playing cards,, after an hour or so, they switch!! Do you know the only place I could sit in peace???? Next to the taxi drivers!!! And No, I did not play cards with them!!
My card is a debit card! But I do need the pin number for ATMs!! I do carry it on me too,, I can't protect it in my room when I'm not there! I do use two wallets, but neither is a decoy!!! It would be a good idea, to keep one wallet in the front pocket??!!! Let the girl think you're happy to see her!!! lol
I keep a copy of my passport on me, and in the room. I think it is required to carry the real one on us??!!!
As for Australians,,, I'm not sure if I have ever met any?? I can't think of anything that would make Russians dislike them,,, except for being loud and drunk!!?? You're stealing their thunder!!!
The dropped wallet scam according to my knowledge is not here,
It goes like this,
I found a wallet/purse it could be even a small bag. Once you picked it up, someone will claim it but will also said that you took the money inside of it. Depending of the situation others crocks will join in for the beat down.
"Most of the "old hands" know about a trick where criminals drop or leave some cash on the street, in front of someone they can see to be a tourist. If the unsuspecting tourist picks up the money, usually with the idea of trying to figure out whom it belongs to in order to return it -- the crook will appear, saying "hey, that's my money, and now some is missing -- you stole it!"
This is an excuse to try and take some of the tourist's money."
K-dag,,,, very first post. Just a slight variation of it.