We Don’t Understand Each Other: Non-Verbal Cues
by Krystyna · February 3, 2020

Editor: Krystyna, founder of Ukrainian Dating Blog & Ukrainian Dating Stories and speaker at the iDate conference. On this blog she shares her knowledge and experiences with international dating and intercultural relationship. Read more

Editor: Krystyna, passionate dating blogger, speaker and author read more
Dear friends,
It’s difficult enough for men and women of the same cultural backgrounds to understand one another. Throw in another culture and even when you understand the words, you’ll both feel like you missed something. Why? Because 65% of conversation is non-verbal. This includes gestures, the way something is said and even when something’s not said. If you don’t know the non-verbals of the other culture, you’ll be lost.
Non-Verbal Communication
In Ukraine, when a woman smiles at a man, it means she’s interested in him sexually. She can insist she’s not interested, but if she’s smiling, it indicates she is. If that same girl smiles at a Ukrainian woman, she’s indicating she thinks that woman is silly in the head. It’s all in the non-verbals.
In Ukraine and Russia, politeness is essential
That means if you ask a Ukrainian or Russian girl to lunch on Saturday and she tells you it’s her mother’s birthday, she’s telling you she won’t be there, end of story. She might even agree when you suggest she could show up earlier or later. She still won’t show. Family trumps a date. If you don’t know that, you could wait for hours. Meanwhile, she’ll have thought you understood her dilemma.
What This Means for You
Non-verbal cues are important. They can lead to better understanding so you can reach a compromise. They can also avoid a fight. For instance, you could suggest to the Ukrainian and Russian girl that you go to lunch another day.
By learning what the non-verbals are, you’ll have an easier time solving problems in your relationship. You can also understand her expectations better. This may mean paying close attention and asking for clarification.

Guys, have you gained experience with dating clever and savvy Ukrainian or Russian women? Please share your experience below.
Many thanks in advance! Спасибо! Spasibo! Дякую!

About the author: Krystyna is an International dating blogger and coach. Here you find more than 500 articles on dating foreign ladies. In her regularly updated blog posts, Krys has shown a keen eye for online dating issues, dating scam and cross-cultural relationships.
Questions? Feel free to ask Krystyna, your Ukrainian dating expert
Learn more:
- About Krystyna
- About Ukrainian Dating Blog
- My Intercultural Dating Story
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- KRioda.com – Intercultural Dating Coaching by Krystyna That Works
Hello My Dear,
I am interested in this wonderful woman who is Russian, however, has lived in Ukraine since she was 7, she is now 44. She is a true beauty…We met in Kiev a few weeks ago, I am from the US… we have talked for over three months on skype. I am considering bringing her to the US with marriage in mind…Can you write me and give me your opinion on how I can understand her better, not in words, but in culture.
Dear James,
that’s a little hard to tell you in just a few sentences what is the Ukrainian culture. I advise you to go to Ukraine for a while (of course if it is possible) or you should read my blog.
I try to write many interesting and helpful things about our culture and traditions on the Ukrainian Dating Blog. If you have specific questions, you can contact me. I’ll help you, of course.
Krystyna 🙂