Quote: (04-24-2015 03:14 AM)Orson Wrote:
[quote] (04-23-2015 10:26 AM)CharlesHustle Wrote:
(04-20-2015, 05:04 PM)elabayarde Wrote: Hey
I'm in Poland. I am highly considering hoping over for my first visit to the country. I'm wording mostly about security, being that in a black American. Lol I stand the hell out. What do u think?
That's a pithy post, CH! But I'll bet the E-man might appreciate a couple of personal examples. Like, in what way did you "stand out?"
American culture, via film and music, precedes us all in Europe. And so, people have their pre-conceptions when we arrive. Meeting us is another matter - it opens doors and closes others.
Thus, examples please?
I spent most of my time in a college town called Chernivtsi, so the locals were very welcoming and pleasantly surprised to see a foreigner in their town.
My Ukrainian girlfriend mentioned that people stare because my facial features are latino, but my full build is very European (6'2 190 pounds) so people are curious where I am from. After a while I just accepted the fact that people stare simply because I look foreign rather than assuming people stare because they see an attractive man like in America.
In terms of fashion in Ukraine, you must understand there is rich fashion and there is poor fashion. I dressed very European/neutral in order to fit in with the locals that are considered rich by Ukrainian standards. My fashion sense did increase my status as a foreigner because people assumed I was a well off individual and thus treated me with status.
Another way to stand out positively is to learn how to order basic menu items in Ukrainian or Russian. You will impress the waitress, the local women and everyone snooping on your conversation.
In short, all the ways that I stood out were considered unique and made me an incredibly interesting individual to the locals. As a foreigner, regardless of your ethnicity, just understand you are at the bottom of the food chain until you prove your worth. You must prove your status by the way you walk, talk, dress and assimilate with Ukrainian culture. The icing on the cake is having American Status, but you must have a good understanding of pop culture, American history and rock n roll to fill their expectations of an American. In my experience, I felt like I was being interviewed by a panel of Ukrainians inside a bar!! Question after question about America! But, if you know your shit, they will look at you like a rock star!