List of things to take to the Ukraine

[JR]

Xman.
Do you want to say that it's perfectly safe to carry $1,000-3,000 everywhere in the Ukraine?
I don't think so. People can be robbed and killed for $100.
Nobody was killed in your stories.

It is always perfectly safe to carry any amount of cash so long as:
A. you don't advertise it.
and
B. you don't get robbed.

[ghost of moon goddess]

It is always perfectly safe to carry any amount of cash so long as:
A. you don't advertise it.
and
B. you don't get robbed.

Looks like a problem with two binding constraints A and B.
 
Solution 1
STAY HOME
Solution 2
KEEP A LOW PROFILE (while traveling in the FSU)

Not sure that either is an optimal solution to satisfy the boundary conditions imposed by two constraints, though   

A "THING" NOT TO TAKE TO UKRAINE! (seriously!)
Having a FRIEND (or relative) at home who you keep in touch with at all times, keeping them informed of your travel plans and when you are leaving one place and traveling to your next destination is VITAL if you are traveling alone in remote countries! Of course, make sure you both agree on a margin of time allowed for "technical meltdowns", poor weather or some other unforeseen problems, unless you  want to be the cause of a false alarm 

Last year I visited a country notorious for robbery and fraud. I stayed there for about one week. To avoid all kinds of dangers I was warned of, I would have to "lay low" until leaving that country . Hey, I had a great time there!!!

[Vincenzo]

Looks like a problem with two binding constraints A and B.
 
Solution 1
STAY HOME
Solution 2
KEEP A LOW PROFILE (while traveling in the FSU)

Yes, she is right.

1. You have to advertise that you are rich to attract women. Don't miss the chance to make the first impression. A stylish and expensive outfit, usually a good suit, is a must.
This look also attracts pickpockets.

2. You always advertise that you are a rich foreigner when you open your mouth. There is no way around it.

3. Your encounters are usually after 6pm. It is already dark except summer time. Will you tell your lady, "Sorry, I'm afraid of strolling in the evening. I'm a coward!"

[JR]

To attract women I find it is best to walk around with $100 bills hanging out of my pockets

[Vincenzo]

To attract women I find it is best to walk around with $100 bills hanging out of my pockets

Are you looking for a sharp-eyed lady? It's difficult to distinguish "Benjamins" from "Washingtons" from a few feet if you don't show the numbers. How does she know that they are not fake?

[celluloidheros]

Not sure that either is an optimal solution to satisfy the boundary conditions imposed by two constraints, though   

Ohhh Boundary Conditions and Constraints, next we will be talking about Integrals.  I love a technical minded woman ! 

[ghost of moon goddess]

Are you looking for a sharp-eyed lady? It's difficult to distinguish "Benjamins" from "Washingtons" from a few feet if you don't show the numbers. How does she know that they are not fake?

He looks for sharp-nosed women, it's not difficult for them to recognize the smell of new $100 banknotes 

[ghost of moon goddess]

... next we will be talking about Integrals. 

Integrals? I guess you meant  Russian gals, didn't you ?! 

[LAman]

Yes, she is right.

 
2. You always advertise that you are a rich foreigner when you open your mouth. There is no way around it.

 

Strange, I always thought the one that talked the most had least ....and the one that spoke the least had the most!!!!

[XMan]

Nobody was killed in your stories.

\

Not that you know of....
 

[XMan]

Wow Xman, all of this happened to you in FSU?  None in the USA or 50/50? I think you know where I'm going with this. Yes, all of it makes for a sad story and a big hassle. It's a pisser when one gets ripped off. It can happen anywhere to anyone. Preach caution, you can't do it enough but, I draw the line at paranoia. You may be different. It is a fact that some people are natural targets and others make themselves to be targets. Be cautious, not paramoid IMHO

I think precautions are generally wise. 
When I drink water in Ukraine, I don't drink anything other than bottled water. 
I only ride in official taxis. 
I don't do anything other than mundane (i.e. harmless) activities on generic (non-secure) wireless, regardless of country.

I could not control a lost laptop at a credit card company.
I could not control a federal agency stupidly releasing my information. 
I could have paid inside rather than used the gas pump card reader, but what a hassle.  Do I still use the gas pump credit card readers?  Sure.  The convenience factor overrides caution.   
But I definitely do not and would not ever use a debit card.  Again, a former banking and technology person's perspective. 

As far as the Ukraine banking system, the ease of ripping off credit and debit cards (there or here for that matter), etc., just look at the annual numbers in billions of dollars, and identity theft as well.  It's not just happening to a few folks. 

 If you feel the risks are acceptable, or overblown, do what works for you.
 
I know a guy who stupidly hung out at a nightclub in Kiev until 2:30 in the morning, got mugged, and lost $1,200. 
I also know a guy who got mugged and stabbed in small town USA. 
Heck, I felt safer in Chernovtsy, Sochi, and Kharkov than I did in several cities in the USA.  But I also didn't carry all my cash on my person.

Regardless, you can call it paranoia if you wish. 
 I feel differently.
 But again, to each his own. 
 

[Faux Pas]

I think precautions are generally wise. 
When I drink water in Ukraine, I don't drink anything other than bottled water. 
I only ride in official taxis. 
I don't do anything other than mundane (i.e. harmless) activities on generic (non-secure) wireless, regardless of country.

I could not control a lost laptop at a credit card company.
I could not control a federal agency stupidly releasing my information. 
I could have paid inside rather than used the gas pump card reader, but what a hassle.  Do I still use the gas pump credit card readers?  Sure.  The convenience factor overrides caution.   
But I definitely do not and would not ever use a debit card.  Again, a former banking and technology person's perspective. 

As far as the Ukraine banking system, the ease of ripping off credit and debit cards (there or here for that matter), etc., just look at the annual numbers in billions of dollars, and identity theft as well.  It's not just happening to a few folks. 

 If you feel the risks are acceptable, or overblown, do what works for you.
 
I know a guy who stupidly hung out at a nightclub in Kiev until 2:30 in the morning, got mugged, and lost $1,200. 
I also know a guy who got mugged and stabbed in small town USA. 
Heck, I felt safer in Chernovtsy, Sochi, and Kharkov than I did in several cities in the USA.  But I also didn't carry all my cash on my person.

Regardless, you can call it paranoia if you wish. 
 I feel differently.
 But again, to each his own.

I actually agree with you. Personally, I don't take unnecessary risks for minor convenience. But thats just me. I have safeguards I'm comfortable with. However, Ukraine while it might feel unsafe isn't anymore risky than Roosterpoot, USA. Like you I don't use a debit card, probably for different reasons but, I do have one. Sometimes, that is all that is accepted. It's the risks we take. Minimize and don't be a Gomer. Certainly take precautions perhaps even a few more than at home if it gives you peace of mind. Being anal retentive about it can only lead to health problems IMO

[mobob]

TP! Did anyone mention TP? Gotta have it!!! Ok...      But really, have some handy, like when you're in an airport on layover and you run to a stall and discover the dispenser's empty, AFTER it's too late. Somebody mentioned the small tissue packs. Even better 'cause they're packaged and compact. I noticed a mention of plug adapters. I found a small kit at Target for half the price of Wally world, just under $10, and only took the one I needed, labeled for Southern Europe. Also, take Jack Daniels. The last two trips I took several pint and half pint bottles, and a one liter bottle for the new father in law. The small ones make great gifts. I also took some mini bar sizes for novelty gifts. My apologies if I'm repeating anything that's already been hammered into the ground. Sucky internet service is keeping me from getting the entire thread.

[BdHvA]

I'd like to compile a list of essential items for a trip.

I would strongly recommend a dose of scepticism ~ a large amount of common sense and endless supply of humour.

All three are easy to refill on the street, at sleep or in the local cafe. If you lose any of the three you can easily find them by continuing to breathe and or looking around.

[JR]

Are you looking for a sharp-eyed lady? It's difficult to distinguish "Benjamins" from "Washingtons" from a few feet if you don't show the numbers. How does she know that they are not fake?

Yes, the Hundies are an eye test, if at 2:30 am she can tell the difference, she passes.....
Then I run, if she chases me, she's interested...
If she catches me (in heels gets extra points) she passes my stamina test....
If she does not spend all the money in the first five minutes she passes my frugality test...
 
 
 

[Muzh]

...I would suggest you take a tour or go the paid wingman route. Many guys are drawn to this pursuit because they feel enabled to simultaneously date multiple women and get away with it. And they can but, there's drawbacks in most all approaches. Keep in mind your catch is directly related to your bait.

FP, you'll have to forgive me but I was having a blast watching the most interesting man in the world and he gave the following advice that can apply here and your post showed up in a search. I know you'll get a kick out of this one.
 

[Faux Pas]

FP, you'll have to forgive me but I was having a blast watching the most interesting man in the world and he gave the following advice that can apply here and your post showed up in a search. I know you'll get a kick out of this one.
 

LOL...there it is from the horse's mouth! Those lists you and GQ put up the other day had me in stitches

[Mander]

It may be different for people from the US, but here (Netherlands) debit cards are more secure than credit cards. While traveling UA, my debit card was skimmed, resulting in 3000 Euro of ATM withdrawals in Bolivia and Mexico.
1 call to my bank was enough to reverse the withdrawals. Debit cards are completely insured and normally have a weekly withdrawal limitation.
At least a debit card needs your code, while credit cards only need your signature.

[Anotherkiwi]

It may be different for people from the US, but here (Netherlands) debit cards are more secure than credit cards. While traveling UA, my debit card was skimmed, resulting in 3000 Euro of ATM withdrawals in Bolivia and Mexico.
1 call to my bank was enough to reverse the withdrawals. Debit cards are completely insured and normally have a weekly withdrawal limitation...

Same here - debit cards can only have funds withdrawn which don't exceed the overdraft limit of their parent account.
 

At least a debit card needs your code, while credit cards only need your signature.

Credit cards here also have PIN numbers if requested - most people do.
 
 

[The Natural]

I used both credit and debit cards in Ukraine last summer without problems.
They both have this new chip and needs my personal codes. The debit card also have my photo with personal details and if I lose the card, I can simply go to my netbank site and close it. When I go to Ukraine I have made the settings so that it is working only in Europe. Nothing is foolproof in life, but I feel pretty safe with the cards.

[David1963]

I'm humbled  by everyone's responses to this thread

When is your trip planed?  Do you have a plan?
 

[BdHvA]

It may be different for people from the US, but here (Netherlands) debit cards are more secure than credit cards. While traveling UA, my debit card was skimmed, resulting in 3000 Euro of ATM withdrawals in Bolivia and Mexico.
1 call to my bank was enough to reverse the withdrawals. Debit cards are completely insured and normally have a weekly withdrawal limitation.
At least a debit card needs your code, while credit cards only need your signature.

Benieuwd in welke stad was je skimmed?

Ik ben altijd voorzichtig zijn, ongeacht waar ik ben met een voor keur een inside ATM te gebruiken. Ik ben al skimmed in Londen, Zuid-Kensigton en in Amsterdam, Oud-Zuid.

[Mander]

Benieuwd in welke stad was je skimmed?

Ik ben altijd voorzichtig zijn, ongeacht waar ik ben met een voor keur een inside ATM te gebruiken. Ik ben al skimmed in Londen, Zuid-Kensigton en in Amsterdam, Oud-Zuid.

I was skimmed in Kiev. Though I am very cautious with using ATM machines. I guess they had configured an ATM machine to copy the code.
Funds were withdrawn from ATM machines in Bolivia and Mexico. Luckily my bank gave my money back and took the loss.

[CanadaMan]

I was skimmed in Kiev. Though I am very cautious with using ATM machines. I guess they had configured an ATM machine to copy the code.
Funds were withdrawn from ATM machines in Bolivia and Mexico. Luckily my bank gave my money back and took the loss.

How much money did they give back to you?
Did you give them a list of countries you were traveling to on your trip and did the list include Bolivia and Mexico?

[Mander]

I only visited the Ukraine. I did not visit South America.