Comments on: My trip to Ukraine – why Ukrainians are poor? http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/ News, Tips and Resources for Online Bargain Hunters Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:09:46 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Alex http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26642 Alex Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:46:27 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26642 interesting article, Owlish... It doesn't answer the fundamental question though... why people are poor. I tend to think people are poor because at this point in time they want to be poor. Being poor has it's advantages as crazy as it sounds. It's easier to avoid taxes for example. you get money from charities... and God knows what else. I am talking about the majority of population of coarse, there always folks who want to make the difference but can't do anything. Until the majority of population will realize that being rich is actually better for you even though you'll need to carry more responsibilities, no IMF or World Bank will help. interesting article, Owlish… It doesn’t answer the fundamental question though… why people are poor. I tend to think people are poor because at this point in time they want to be poor. Being poor has it’s advantages as crazy as it sounds. It’s easier to avoid taxes for example. you get money from charities… and God knows what else. I am talking about the majority of population of coarse, there always folks who want to make the difference but can’t do anything. Until the majority of population will realize that being rich is actually better for you even though you’ll need to carry more responsibilities, no IMF or World Bank will help.

]]> By: owlish http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26564 owlish Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:50:10 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26564 Here's an interesting read on the subject of why poor countries are poor... http://www.reason.com/news/show/33258.html Here’s an interesting read on the subject of why poor countries are poor…

http://www.reason.com/news/show/33258.html

]]> By: m http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26556 m Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:55:08 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26556 Yan, Consider having the passport shipped to Russia. You can then go, pick it up and bring it back to your wife. Regards. Yan,
Consider having the passport shipped to Russia. You can then go, pick it up and bring it back to your wife.

Regards.

]]> By: Rajesh Shakya http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26377 Rajesh Shakya Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:32:49 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26377 Hi Alex: Your blog post reminded me the time I spent in Lvov, Ukraine during 1987-1994. I was doing my Masters degree in Lvov state University. I saw the whole transition from communism to modern Ukraine. Very sad to read that still a lot of griefs there. I think, it's all because of the legacy it has and the nostalgia people have. Rajesh Shakya http://www.rajeshshakya.com Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life! Hi Alex:
Your blog post reminded me the time I spent in Lvov, Ukraine during 1987-1994. I was doing my Masters degree in Lvov state University.
I saw the whole transition from communism to modern Ukraine.
Very sad to read that still a lot of griefs there.
I think, it’s all because of the legacy it has and the nostalgia people have.

Rajesh Shakya
http://www.rajeshshakya.com
Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life!

]]> By: Yan http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26373 Yan Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:36:57 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26373 St.Ann: it is not Americans. It is my dad who is saying Ukrainians are poor. He was born and has lived in Ukraine whole his life. Ukrainians overall are well aware of the fact that they are well behind Europe and the US as far as level of life is concerned. I realize it is much more complex question, I just wanted to give "one Ukrainian's opinion" about it Deborah: Alcohol is deep in Ukrainian/Russian culture/blood and has always been an issue for Ukrainians. I know families who broke because of it. Also, in general, if you don't drink - you will not be successful in business. Laying down business relationships is traditionally done via vodka (think golf in the US). I will write about crime when I get back to Kharkiv. I am in Kiev right now and my next stop is Alexandira - my home town. St.Ann: it is not Americans. It is my dad who is saying Ukrainians are poor. He was born and has lived in Ukraine whole his life. Ukrainians overall are well aware of the fact that they are well behind Europe and the US as far as level of life is concerned. I realize it is much more complex question, I just wanted to give “one Ukrainian’s opinion” about it

Deborah: Alcohol is deep in Ukrainian/Russian culture/blood and has always been an issue for Ukrainians. I know families who broke because of it. Also, in general, if you don’t drink – you will not be successful in business. Laying down business relationships is traditionally done via vodka (think golf in the US).

I will write about crime when I get back to Kharkiv. I am in Kiev right now and my next stop is Alexandira – my home town.

]]> By: Deborah http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26334 Deborah Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:56:38 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26334 Hello Yan, Sorry to learn about the passport difficulties, but these problems are not limited to Ukraine. As you sit in Ukraine, we hear on the news about U.S. citizens losing out on their pre-paid travel because they cannot obtain passports in time for their vacations. There is a huge backlog at the passport office because of the new requirements for documentation to cross the borders to the north and south. So, I'm afraid bureaucracy is a global nuisance. Were you able to learn anything about the frequency and type of crime in Ukraine from your friends and family? Is it a safe destination for tourists? I've been interested in your photos of Ukrainian food. I remember when I traveled to Germany, the food I craved most upon return home was not an American hamburger, but a trip to the salad bar. I could not find a leafy green salad at any restaurant in my two weeks away. Maybe things have changed. What about in Ukraine, are green salads part of the diet? And what about portion size? We keep hearing that Americans eat huge portions compared to the rest of the world. Are Ukrainian portions much smaller? Also, I read your sad tale about the farmer. Is alcoholism still a big problem in Ukraine? Do you think alcohol is a major factor interfering with productivity and success? Enjoy the remainder of your time away! Deborah Hello Yan,
Sorry to learn about the passport difficulties, but these problems are not limited to Ukraine. As you sit in Ukraine, we hear on the news about U.S. citizens losing out on their pre-paid travel because they cannot obtain passports in time for their vacations. There is a huge backlog at the passport office because of the new requirements for documentation to cross the borders to the north and south. So, I’m afraid bureaucracy is a global nuisance.

Were you able to learn anything about the frequency and type of crime in Ukraine from your friends and family? Is it a safe destination for tourists?

I’ve been interested in your photos of Ukrainian food. I remember when I traveled to Germany, the food I craved most upon return home was not an American hamburger, but a trip to the salad bar. I could not find a leafy green salad at any restaurant in my two weeks away. Maybe things have changed. What about in Ukraine, are green salads part of the diet? And what about portion size? We keep hearing that Americans eat huge portions compared to the rest of the world. Are Ukrainian portions much smaller?

Also, I read your sad tale about the farmer. Is alcoholism still a big problem in Ukraine? Do you think alcohol is a major factor interfering with productivity and success?

Enjoy the remainder of your time away!

Deborah

]]> By: St Ann http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26329 St Ann Sun, 08 Jul 2007 05:08:18 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26329 I think it is so silly, when people put so much stock, such belief in theories so simple and trivial. People in Ukraine are poor for a multitude of reasons. And, it ain't because they are lazy, ignorant, or any other uniquely Ukrainian quality. Ukrainians are as gifted and clever as any group of people anywhere. If your understanding of Ukrainian poverty doesn't include its history . . .well, then . . . Look, everyone likes to put down "Soviet times:" indeed, with the likes of Stalin, but we must remember that the revolution of 1917 was to counter one of the most conservative right-wing governments of all-time, that of the tzars, whose attention for the poor was nothing less than a JOKE. Anyway, who is it that is saying Ukrainians are "poor". . . Americans? Well, who is it in America that is poor? Who are the wealthy in America? Who is it in America that do not even have health insurance? Why is it that unemployment statistics in the States do not count those not collecting unemployment benefits, which always runs out? I think it is so silly, when people put so much stock, such belief in theories so simple and trivial.

People in Ukraine are poor for a multitude of reasons. And, it ain’t because they are lazy, ignorant, or any other uniquely Ukrainian quality. Ukrainians are as gifted and clever as any group of people anywhere.

If your understanding of Ukrainian poverty doesn’t include its history . . .well, then . . .

Look, everyone likes to put down “Soviet times:” indeed, with the likes of Stalin, but we must remember that the revolution of 1917 was to counter one of the most conservative right-wing governments of all-time, that of the tzars, whose attention for the poor was nothing less than a JOKE.

Anyway, who is it that is saying Ukrainians are “poor”. . . Americans? Well, who is it in America that is poor? Who are the wealthy in America? Who is it in America that do not even have health insurance? Why is it that unemployment statistics in the States do not count those not collecting unemployment benefits, which always runs out?

]]> By: Roundup for week of 1 July 2007: The Wiseguy Edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26311 Roundup for week of 1 July 2007: The Wiseguy Edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:15:00 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26311 [...] Pro Bargain Hunter discusses why Ukrainians are poor.  (Because they don’t have a whole lot of disposable income?  Naaaah, that can’t be it.) [...] [...] Pro Bargain Hunter discusses why Ukrainians are poor.  (Because they don’t have a whole lot of disposable income?  Naaaah, that can’t be it.) [...]

]]> By: Alex http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26300 Alex Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:29:42 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26300 Interesting you mentioned "beckpedaling during Soviet years". Although, I do not like that time and have very vivd recollection of the last years (I am 34 now), I have to admit that neither my parents, nor myself would've been able to break out from the peasant past and get an education if it wouldn't been for the revolution. Who knows how things may turn out next. I am not a big fan of Yeltsin and I remember all the chaos he brought, but, again if it wouldn't be for him and his policies I would have never been able to travel to US and settle down here. Great to hear about your passport. Keep writing... I like your blog. :) Interesting you mentioned “beckpedaling during Soviet years”. Although, I do not like that time and have very vivd recollection of the last years (I am 34 now), I have to admit that neither my parents, nor myself would’ve been able to break out from the peasant past and get an education if it wouldn’t been for the revolution. Who knows how things may turn out next. I am not a big fan of Yeltsin and I remember all the chaos he brought, but, again if it wouldn’t be for him and his policies I would have never been able to travel to US and settle down here. Great to hear about your passport. Keep writing… I like your blog. :)

]]> By: Yan http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-26299 Yan Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:09:57 +0000 http://probargainhunter.com/2007/07/06/my-trip-to-ukraine-why-ukrainians-are-poor/#comment-26299 Alex, I cannot agree with you more. It takes centuries to build the culture like in Europe and US. People laugh at me when I tell them about "death and taxes". We wasted this time backpedaling during soviet years. It is now time to regret. :-( As for the passport, I think I found a way out. If it works, I will tell you more later if you are interested. Alex, I cannot agree with you more. It takes centuries to build the culture like in Europe and US. People laugh at me when I tell them about “death and taxes”. We wasted this time backpedaling during soviet years. It is now time to regret. :-(

As for the passport, I think I found a way out. If it works, I will tell you more later if you are interested.

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