Crimea, I Love This Place

[Boethius]

Not intended to be defensive at all.  It's an opinion, take it or leave it.

I suppose I communicate here very bluntly, the result of my work.  I'm much less direct F2F. 

[CanadaMan]

"What are the chances that all of the above just happened randomly?"

In my estimation, 100%.

To an outsider, the randomness would be more in the 5% or less distribution curve.

...That behavior is a very underhanded act that when perpetrated is usually discovered.

What behavior? Setting up a second account or encouraging a friend to post on the topic? I was never thinking of the former, just the latter.

And there is nothing underhanded whatsoever with the latter.
It's just a strange thing to do, if it's done.

Boethuis whether you like or approve of her or not, would have no motivation to do so.

No motivation to do the former or the latter?
BTW I do like and approve of her. 

[Boethius]

To an outsider, the randomness would be more in the 5% or less distribution curve.

There are two posters here who did not know each other, yet grew up within spitting distance of one another, and learned it through this forum.  They even have common friends.   

[Faux Pas]

"What are the chances that all of the above just happened randomly?"
To an outsider, the randomness would be more in the 5% or less distribution curve.

I don't know where you could get a number like 5%? Isn't it 100% random that both you and I are here?

What behavior? Setting up a second account or encouraging a friend to post on the topic? I was never thinking of the former, just the latter.

By reading your post I was assuming the former. It's been done and it's been nailed as for the latter I have encouraged a few friends to join and participate myself. I see nothing wrong with that. All joined but none chose to post (yet). These are friends who have indicated an interest in the subject. 

And there is nothing underhanded whatsoever with the latter.
It's just a strange thing to do, if it's done.

No motivation to do the former or the latter?

Either if done for added support of one's opinion is wrong and skews the purpose of the forum. We had one poster not long ago that that made some outlandish claims, then would come in with another moniker and add posts of support for those claims.


What could Boethuis possibly gain from such a practice? She's already very articulate, well spoken and knows of what she speaks. She has nothing to prove and you'd be hard press to try and find where she's sought anyone's approval for any of her advice or opinions.

BTW I do like and approve of her. 

For those that pay attention, she is easy to like and offers up some good stuff

[CanadaMan]

I don't know where you could get a number like 5%? Isn't it 100% random that both you and I are here?

Yes you could say it's 100% random that you and I are here, on this site and participating in this post.

What might not be 100% random though, is if:

- I joined the site four minutes ago, found this post and jumped in to support your argument with my first and only post.
- Just happened to live in the same area that you live in FP with the same ethnic background, experiences, tastes as you etc.

[mies]

There are two posters here who did not know each other, yet grew up within spitting distance of one another, and learned it through this forum.  They even have common friends.

I went to Kyiv Mohyla Academy, and several of my close friends visited Canada on the program you have mentioned recently. If you know any UKMA students who were participants of that program, it is possible you know at least some of my friends. I would not go as far as suggesting that they lived in your home, but I vaguely remember one of them telling me they lived in local families in Canada.

[LAman]

Yes you could say it's 100% random that you and I are here, on this site and participating in this post.

What might not be 100% random though, is if:

- I joined the site four minutes ago, found this post and jumped in to support your argument with my first and only post.
- Just happened to live in the same area that you live in FP with the same ethnic background, experiences, tastes as you etc.

CanadaMan......I have read multiple times here that someone was a guest reading through the different threads....when they read something so impelling that they register and post.
I doubt if svetlana comes back.......and face the wrath of some posters...already accused in some way of collaborating with a member.......
 
AS far as dress...to each their own..I wouldn't wear a t-shirt with markings, more a solid one.
If you are in early stages of dating, dressing nicely for your gf is highly recommended, my old gf
always looked at a guys shoes...if they passed that test...another date was possible.

[Boethius]

That's very funny mies, because many of my friends moved to Ukraine in 1991 and a number of them were instrumental in reestablishing the Kyiv Mohyla Academy.   A number of them even taught there.  Some of them may have been your professors, if you took any courses taught by Canadians.  There was a lot of Canadian fundraising to re establish it, and to fund the Ukrainian embassy.

We haven't hosted any students in our home recently, but I do know many students who come from Ukraine.  When the kids were little, my husband used to go play soccer with them.

[CanadaMan]

I am a diaspora Ukrainian...

OK, then I'm diaspora Polish.   

[Boethius]

Much, much different, CM.  Ukrainians, unlike Poles, did not have their own country.  Their language was denied to them under policies of Russification.  Their ability to study their history was denied.  Therefore, it is not unusual to have third and fourth generation Ukrainians speak fluent Ukrainian.  We had to do this, to ensure our language and our culture remained alive.  Furthermore, I lived there.
 
See above on the Mohyla Academy.  It is one of the two top universities in Ukraine, and it would not exist without the efforts of the diaspora. 

Diaspora Ukrainians worked at establishing a working judicial system and freedom of the press which, in the 1990's, because of their efforts, were far, far ahead of Russia.

[CanadaMan]

Much, much different, CM.  Ukrainians, unlike Poles, did not have their own country.  Their language was denied to them under policies of Russification.  Their ability to study their history was denied....

Ahem, Polish Jews,
The 'mother of all diasporas'. 
Exiled from Israel in 607 BCE.
You want to talk about denial?
How about the Nile River in Egypt? 

[Boethius]

LOL.  How many Polish Jews spoke Hebrew?

But it does have many similarities/parallels.

[Handycam72]

Ok so this has gone from me talking about my time here in Crimea to a Fashion debate on what to wear, then onto somekind of Jewish/Hebrew chat. The randomness of how threads can go so off topic is always amusing.
 
Just to get back on track, a little overview me thinks. I am here mainly for vacation and to see friends. Yes I have met with UW while here , they were not my main reason for being here, will be seeing one again this evening for the 4th time. We enjoy each others company, is anything going to develop out of this in a romantic sense? Maybe, maybe not. Will see what happens. I never put a timeframe on these things I just let it develop naturally. Maybe we will be just friends who knows.
 
Now this clothing debate. I am sure I remember this topic coming up in some other Trip Report last year. I don't dress in t-shirt and shorts everyday of my life. I wear what is comfortable for me, and appropriate for the occasion. Hell when going to meet new people back home, I might even go as far as throwing a suit on with a white shirt, no tie. Depends on the place we are going. Meeting someone on a date, well there is a fine line between looking like you don't give a damn to going OTT and appear like your trying to hard.
 
General fashion here, is no different to people in UK, especially amongst the under 30s. The only difference is that you will find more overweight people in the UK.
 
 
What do I notice here. People generally do dress well. UW do look smart and take pride in their appearance, although I will add, I have noticed since my first visit to Ukraine in 2009 (only 2 years ago, things appear to be happening quite fast here) that a more relaxed attitude is slowly taking over. UW still look stylish, but in a more relaxed way if that makes sense. The manbag is very very popular.. Yes plain clothes are the norm for some. Addidas is the one to wear.  Very few overweight people. As always the people are friendly, not in a smile and greet with open arms way, but more of a friendly helpful way. I could go on
 
What do I like about Crimea? I think was asked somewhere on here, Boethius was that you? Well where do I start. For a place of vacation it is a great escape from the UK as there is very little that reminds me of home. I love the History (I'm not a history buff, just a small interest) now I had heard of Crimea while at school through the Crimean War, and the British involvement. Most of which I have forgotten, abit like my French and German. I like the way its not been commercialised....yet. When in Balaklava I had this view in my mind of how it would look in 10 years time, instead of small boats carrying just 2 - 8 people in them you will have big tour boats everywhere, and will be overcrowded, the Yacht Club will be full of "My Yachts bigger than your Yacht...so I must be considerably wealthier than you".
 
What first brought me here was someone who was very special to me, had great potential, and long term future was talked about, sadly that fell apart on a romantic level, but we are still great friends. Who knows maybe in the future it may be rekindled.
 
I will post some more pics when I can, been to Swallows Nest, interesting place, lots of steps. The restaurant is no more though. I was told it was a very exspensive one, probably so expensive no-one went.

[Handycam72]

Some more pics. The Porsche has an interetsing licence plate.

[Daveman]

LOL
very funny thread.
 
Fashion styles differ.
 
A nice snug T shirt in ukranie , looks to a westerner like
its two sizes too small ,
and the man is wearing his kids clothes.
 
equally the  western T- shirt , perhaps two sizes too big,
 look ridiculas and sloppy to an eastern european, like its a child wearing his fathers shirt.
 
In my mind , both parties should be aware the fashins are different..
and be wiling to compromise a bit in the situations.. it's a fairly minor thing.
 
Odds are in these scenarios the man is traveling to her country , so the onus is more on him to make a good impression if he so chooses.
 
If they move forward and she relocates, she should also understand that her cultures fashion , may not truly fit many situations here..
To dress better isnt a bad thing at all,
but to expect a man to wear something that doesnt fit his culture or group of friends and associates ...is as strange as him going out on a first date to a nice restuarant wearing something *odd* for her culture or how she is dressed for the occassion.
not fair to her, as she knows the perceptions of those aroung her in her culture .
 and equally the reverse isnt fair to him, within his culture.
 
Hey I was in Crimea last summer, LOTS of casual wear seen, as many people are indeed on vacation.Shorts,  sandals, Tshirts, etc..abounded.
However yes in general,  on the street, people do dress far more nicely in the FSU than in the west.
 
 
perhaps amusingly in this thread-
That  trips first meeting with someone was at a nice,but casual restuarant.  I wore cream dress slacks, nice shoes and a nice pattern/collared shirt that would be perhaps not deemed a *dress*  suit shirt, but certainly not casual either.
 (she had actually commented i should wear it,, from some past photo)
This would be deemed normal , to maybe slightly over dressed , for a similar restuarant in the west.
and it certainly fit her attire for the evening(which she would agree)
 
 
 The amusing part? is the different cultural perceptions.
 
Of course not known at the moment, but later i know she found the slacks to be very big and baggy
( they are typical classic suit cut style, in my exact size)
and the shirt was requested in a bit of joking  sarcasm ,  as she actually doesn't like  it but its the first photo she had of me. :lol:
 
So much for fashion faux pas 
 
 
 
 
Next time I'm not shaving a couple days, and just wearing XL T shirt, that reads *I love HaterZ*
my torn up jack sparrow pirate shorts ,
and sandals that fit in perfectly well in Cabo.
  (and a sombrero if i can get it thru checked baggage)
 
 
 
by the way she has seen me in that outfit as well,
and was fine with it,
so i'm not sure if thats a lose -win, win- lose, win- win
or lose- lose scenario..
 

>>Of course not known at the moment, but later i know she found the slacks to be very big and baggy
( they are typical classic suit cut style, in my exact size)<<

LOL! Excellent post Jumper.  And boy does THAT sound familiar.  Little did I know at first how much my "relax fit" wardrobe was detested.  After the initial dating period, I heard something along the lines of "everything you wear is too big! Why you don't buy clothes to fit you? I will buy clothes for you".  LOL.  Fine with me as I absolutely do not care and just one less thing I have to think about while she JOYS in making me look good (probably so her friends won't think I'm a complete social retard).  She did buy me a few things and I must admit, I looked better when she dressed me (big surprise there).  So then I got "Who knows style better?"  But, I looked distinctly European.  Ah well, when I need the "classic look" for business, I'll wear my standard wardrobe selections... but most of the time, I'll be happy to wear whatever she lays out.  She's happy as a lark.  I'm happy that she's happy. I never have to think about it.  Win/win for us as I really could not possibly care less about "fashion".  It's just not a high priority for me.


So, while this doesn't apply to Handy here, my suggestion is to let your lady have at it.  You'll probably look better and have one less thing to think about.


I have no problem admitting my fashion sense is less tuned than hers. 

[JR]

always
Always
ALWAYS
let your lady dress you....small thing but a huge thing

[Daveman]

Ok so this has gone from me talking about my time here in Crimea to a Fashion debate on what to wear, then onto somekind of Jewish/Hebrew chat. The randomness of how threads can go so off topic is always amusing.
 
...
 
What first brought me here was someone who was very special to me, had great potential, and long term future was talked about, sadly that fell apart on a romantic level, but we are still great friends. Who knows maybe in the future it may be rekindled.
 
I will post some more pics when I can, been to Swallows Nest, interesting place, lots of steps. The restaurant is no more though. I was told it was a very exspensive one, probably so expensive no-one went.

Luckily you're on that boat to handle the thread drift, eh?


That Swallow's Nest restaurant was definitely touristy overpriced.  So many things to do and see around Crimea.  Castles, Mansions, Castlemansions, age old military ruins, natural splendor, and, of course, ladies everywhere this time of year.  What else is on your schedule?


Take off to some of the smaller towns if you have time - two of my favorites are Partenit and Gurzuf, though there are a gazillion or so others.  Those somewhat off the beaten path places (though, nowhere really is off the beaten path in summer) are very cool places to hang out for a day or two. You'll meet ladies right and left, up and down, and sideways when you hit overload. 


One of the aspects of Crimea that I really love, and I've mentioned here before, is that there is a very laid back attitude with the locals.  I guess you need some luck to find them though this time of year. heh. 


Have a blast!
Dave

[Daveman]

always
Always
ALWAYS
let your lady dress you....small thing but a huge thing

LoL! Yeah, JR, I remember you telling me that at the beginning of the Excellent Adventure.  "Hey Dave, why don't you let TheMaiden^TM do some shopping for you.."   Excellent advice indeed.

[SANDRO43]

Any objections to THIS T-shirt ?

[SANDRO43]

A marginal consideration on current female footwear trends: its appears that long-pointed shoes have finally gone out of fashion , in favour of somewhat snub-nosed shoes .

[ECOCKS]

Any objections to THIS T-shirt ?
 

Not if I was looking for a hooker, no.

[mies]

.

[Vinnvinny]

always
Always
ALWAYS
let your lady dress you....small thing but a huge thing

There's two chances of a lady dressing me. One starts with a z and rhymes with hero and the other is two words the second of which is 'all'.


Bunch of wussies. You ok in the toilet on your one?

[Vinnvinny]

A marginal consideration on current female footwear trends: its appears that long-pointed shoes have finally gone out of fashion , in favour of somewhat snub-nosed shoes .

For Ukraine it would appear to my eyes that pointy shoes are still definitely still in fashion (for evening wear). I haven't see any ladies wear snub-nosed shoes out there.

[Daveman]

There's two chances of a lady dressing me. One starts with a z and rhymes with hero and the other is two words the second of which is 'all'.


Bunch of wussies. You ok in the toilet on your one?

nahhh, I just go behind the couch.