Culture and Clubs

[IAmZon]

I am planning a trip in Spring.  It will be my first trip to the FSU. 

I have a question regarding the REAL social culture of women between the ages of 23 - 29 in medium and big cities in Ukraine; rather than the "ARTIFICIAL" social culture created at socials and agency sponsored parties:

How does the night life differ from the US? 

How prevalent are drugs?  How late is late?  2 - 3; or 5 - 6?  How easy are introductions made in REAL social conditions?

I assume the same modern "trance" music is played non-stop (I have discovered that if you drink enough, it is possible to not dislike it ... it does stay in your head for about 2 more days, however)

In a cities like New York, LA, or Miami, for instance, there are different levels of clubs where the rich and beautiful attend.  One the low end, everyone is welcomed.  Cool, trendy clubs, you gotta know somebody to get in.  Then there are the really exclusive clubs ... the higher up the social chain you go, the thinner the air (opportunity) - unless, you are a rich celebrity.  This is less extream in cities like Tampa, Atlanta and Indianapolis.

Is the general crowd welcoming tourists?  Or is there a stigma of "here is another American Man seeking to take one of our pretty girls."

Just wondering

[Jumper]

if you want brutal honesty..in the club scene or that general crowd -  it is more of a stigma of -

"here is an american , how much can we make off him"

As much as i hate to stereotype- The FSU takes the phrase
"it's all about the benjamins" to a new unheard of level.

If you are going to meet girls at clubs or discos ..
the stigma you asked about of "an american taking our chicks" wouldnt be much worry to you?
as certainly you shouldnt have a hard time meeting  girls,
and who cares what the other guys think about it?
you be better off worrying what the girls are thinking, or thier motivations
Any *new russians* in attendence wouldnt worry over an american there as *competition* anyway..they will have plenty of girls around them.

as far as different "social strata" of clubs..
 likely the clubs you would be going to are going to be the popular ones.This limits the crowd on hand to the "relatively wealthy"   or thier dates, that in itself is quite a bit different than in the west.

as far as "in crowd" at a FSU club - LOL!
 forget your western notions,and forget them quickly.
there is only one thing needed to be "in" -
 currency.

You did ask about the "real culture" of FSU women,
and i'd suggest that going to clubs or discos in that age range isnt the center of thier activities..
it may be part of their culture as something they might want or "wish" to do often.. or a lifestule they might hope for someday..
  I think its more common that the club scene for FSU women  is more an occassional situation , than a daily or weekly "norm"
so not sure i'd include it as a big part of thier *Real (daily life)culture*?
I think on average more have bigger worries and issues at hand..

*shrugs*

[Todd]

Clubs are open very late.... 4-6 a.m.

[DKMM]

Going to clubs there can mean a whole range of things just like it would here.  If you are lucky, you will meet a cool guy to show you the ropes.  I mean a local of course.  It might surprise you that a guy would like having you around but its because you will attract the girls attention.

One problem I noticed fighting the "artificial" culture is that they want to be different around you - because you are American - and thus you don't get their real attitudes.  However, you can observe them in their natural habitat as long as you don't say anything...

[William3rd]

My favorite clubs in FSU are- Piranya in Volgograd, Marstall in St. Petersburg and Hollywood Nights in St. Petersburg. I also recommend Ithaca in Odessa and the old ModaBar in Kiev. Stay away from the River Palace in Kiev. . . too many hooks.

If you have some language skills, you can do very well in those clubs.

[AUsteve]

Eecch... ModaBar sucked when I went there a few years ago. Things don't normally get moving in Minsk until midnight, more like 1am for Moscow. I'd expect the same for Ukraine unless it's a smaller city. Most places play a mix of Russian pop/Western pop/remixes etc., I haven't come across too many places playing trance and nothing resembling a rave.

Only once I had a problem with a local guys... turns out I was chatting up his ex-fiance who had broken off their engagment a few weeks beforehand! On the other hand I met a guy at 5am in a bar and ended up hanging out with him along with his friend the next night... hanging out with local guys can be a lot of fun.

Oh, and try to stay away from the 'elitny' type as you don't want to be upsetting them.

[Gator]

Do not worry about the elitny.  You will not contact them.  At the clubs the elitny frequent, "Face control" will probably stop you at the door.  If somehow you get in, the "flathead" bodyguards will stand between you and their client's entourage. 

So I have been told - I am always asleep by 2 am when the clubs get started.