living costs russia, ukraine

[BarryM]

... in response to Re: all businesses are essentially run b..., posted by Ramblin on Feb 19, 2002

http://www.thepost.kiev.ua/main/10534/

-blm

[Dan]

... in response to Kiev Post article says a different thing..., posted by BarryM on Feb 19, 2002

Was a Ukrainian official nor of Ukrainian/Russian heritage.

It seems to me that the particular audience they interviewed had a strongly-skewed bias (and vested interest) in encouraging FDI. So do the Ukrainians - so I wonder why they did not interview officials. Wanna bet they tried and were unsuccessful with getting anyone to go on the public record?

Barry, Kyiv Post - while a useful source of information for the expat community - is far from the sort of newspaper that anyone would count on for making significant investment decisions. It's always seemed to me to be a bit of a cross between a fledgling English-speaking newspaper and a British-style tabloid - often opting for sensational or 'fluff' stories. Interesting at times, and marginally useful at others - but hardly a serious journal.

As an aside, the better online source would the "The Day", found at this link == http://www.day.kiev.ua/DIGEST/. I particularly enjoy Prof. Mace's regular articles. His commentary is always 'spot-on' with my experiences there. Be patient with the page loading - it is spooling off a server in Ukraine - and on a connection that is none too speedy.

- Dan

[odeccaman1]

... in response to Interesting Article. Notice That Not A S..., posted by Dan on Feb 19, 2002

it is like some idiot who has never traveled to a country telling a guy who lives there how it is. From what I have seen the Kyiv Post seems to have extensive coverage of the local whores, brothels & gentleman's clubs for men with no social skills much like a tabloid. It exists because there is nothing else. Dr. Mace has the good articles in "Den" part of it because his articles are the only ones in really good English, other articles can be good but are not translated all too well.

[jj]

... in response to Interesting Article. Notice That Not A S..., posted by Dan on Feb 19, 2002

I wonder if the US practice of paying TIPS could also contribute to the "I expect payamt" mentality.  I know that many of you who have grown up with the expectation of paying and receiving tips for what is essentially part of your job anyway.  I recall a situation where I once helps an american tourist to change their flat tyre.  Now I was a starving student at the time, but I felt offended to be offered a tip in echange for my assitance.  On one occasion I decided to pay twice the price for an item on sale by a street vendor as I was appauled at the poor rate of pay for what was a long hard days work.  Looking back at while I thought I was assiting this person the fact was that I was alsoflaunting my wealth in what rightly could be seen as an act of charity...  in some ways this was an insult.  Tips are mainly paid by American tourists and it becomed the norm after awhile when every one expects a foriegn tourist to pay for service.  Now I am not adverse to paying a tip but Americans tend to over do it.  On one occasion I saw an american gove a local Ukrainian a one american dollar..  I think they where of the impression that this was of significant value to them...  It may have been but if you hacve ever tried to cash a worn/used one dollar bill in Ukraine?? It was beyond a joke and in many ways an insult.  WHat is needed in Ukraine is a fair wage for a fair days work...  But this must apply to all and not just the few.  The exhcange rate for the Ukrainian currency to teh US Currency has been one of the most stable in the world over the last two years.. But the reality is it is proberly undervalued and the US Dollar over valued.  It is a chiken and egg situation...  The article in the Kiev post was good and I think up todate as to the thinking of many foriegn practices,  Things have been changing and attitudes also...  Just look at the practice of Immigartion visa control...  slowly sure but they are improving..

The forthcomming election will be of considerable interest as it will point the way as to Ukraine's future... We should watch this develpment with much interest.

[BarryM]

... in response to Interesting Article. Notice That Not A S..., posted by Dan on Feb 19, 2002

I noticed that the KP has a lot of puff pieces. It also doesn't update on a regular basis. I don't look at it too often, but I was glancing at it the other day when I saw the article.

-blm

[BrianN]

... in response to Caution . . ., posted by Dan on Feb 18, 2002

Import/export brokers experienced with countries like Nigeria also....

[DE]

... in response to Caution . . ., posted by Dan on Feb 18, 2002

Yes, caution definately warranted!