The majority of problems encountered by westerners visiting Ukraine are largely self-inflicted. Either one forgets they are in a foreign country and what their presence as a “wealthy westerner” insinuates or they engage in high risk activities. Ukraine is essentially a safe country by most standards, but in almost every country certain patterns of behavior invite trouble. Most of these are easy to avoid through self-awareness, composure, scrutiny of others, and avoiding attention.

Most westerners stick out like a sore thumb in Ukraine. In large cities, anyone who lives or works near the tourist center can come pretty close to identifying a visitor’s nationality from 100 paces. Blending in comes gradually, through dress and mannerism. Most people don’t care if you are a foreigner, unless you try to attract attention – and the vast majority of that attention will be negative, the kind you do not want.

Going out alone, getting drunk, flashing money, and then leaving the club in the wee hours of morning to walk back to your apartment, in the dark…is an open invitation to get mugged. It is that plain and simple and communicates itself even better than if you carried a sign around saying, “Mug Me! Beat me up and take my money! Pozhalusta!” Hmmm…an American…with money….drunk…alone…in the dark….? Pretty good target of opportunity…

Always carry a copy of your passport, a list of emergency points of contact, and only the money you reasonably expect needing for one day. Carry your money in your front pocket. Leave your wallet, the bulk of your money, your credit cards, vital documents, and passport at home, in a secure place out of plain view. Do not invite anyone into your apartment whom you do not know or trust. Avoid being loud, do your best to avoid the tourist centers. Beggars, old and young alike, proliferate near the tourist centers – avoid giving them money.

There is no other way to cover the issue without being direct, but the other major potential source of trouble is....take a guess? Money?…already covered that. Drinking?….covered that. Women? Yes…Women can be a problem. Its not my position to say what you should or should not do, only reinforce that you should think before you act. First, HIV/AIDS and sexually communicable diseases are a very significant concern and health problem in Ukraine. Protection is readily available in every store and pharmacy. Second, if you go back to your apartment, keep your door locked and make certain it stays that way. Third, don’t eat or drink anything you don’t personally prepare.

Almost every story involving westerners having problems in Ukraine is associated with a risky pattern of behavior. Merely avoiding attention and being aware of one’s surroundings, dramatically and radically reduces the potential for problems.

Having visited here twice for two weeks, and living here for over two years, I’ve encountered only one problem – being pickpocketed by two young kids while walking in daylight down Derabosovskaya. I always avoid that street, but that day it was the fastest route to where I needed to go. Fortunately I was on the way to the ATM machine and not coming back from it. Contingency planning is good whether you are planning a trip or living on a long-term basis in a foreign country.