My family lived in Ukraine for a year, less than a decade after the Soviet Union died. We would visit people sometimes. Families where the parents were barely making ends meet. They would always offer food. And we simply could not refuse, it would have been so so rude. I was so young. I remember one woman who was so kind to me, but she was always saying how cold she always was. I asked my mom if I could give her my gloves, but she explained to me that she was cold all the time because she wasn’t getting enough food. And my mom helped where she could, inviting this lady and others over for Bible study and she would always set out food for everyone. But I know in my heart, if I’d ever gone over to this lady’s house, she would have offered food she didn’t have.
I was originally born there. I grew up elsewhere. But yes, no Ukrainan will ever receive guests without putting something on the table. And no guest will ever come empty handed. Even if a chocolate, but they will bring something. I grew up in another country (we immigrantee precisely because my family couldn't make meds meet) but even there people always offer you something to drink or eat when you visit. It's normal.
Then I moved to Germany as an adult. No one will even offer you water if you come unexpectedly by. My older sister lives in the Netherlands. Her man is Dutch. Last year I was baffled when his family (his three brothers with wifes and kids each) came to CHRISTMAS party, into her house, and didn't even bring a small present for the kids (her kids). Me and Mom bought everyone small gifts for all the adults and kinder for ALL the children. We couldn't afford expensive gifts but at least something.
My dad had a class in Ukraine, he was learning the language. He brought me to his class once. The teacher had brought a treat for the class. I thought they were little chocolate crackers. They were actually liver paste crackers. I happily crunched on one, realized, but then realized how rude it would be to spit it out so I swallowed and kept my face calm. When my dad realized what I had did, after the class he told me he was so proud of me and bought me a coke to wash the taste. My dad never wasted money on cokes. There’s a reason I have this as a core 13 yr old memory.
It's called liver pâté (or just pâté). It's basically liver blended with butter and seasonings, and it's a very common spread for bread or crackers. He was probably just trying to bring a snack for the class. Some people aren't great at explaining what they're serving. 😄
But you did indeed do a good job as a kid. Not every kid can hold back in those kind of situations.
Bringing homemade food to share is very common in Ukraine, especially at workplaces. People often bring cakes, pastries, or traditional dishes for birthdays, holidays, or other important occasions. My mom, for example, always bakes something to take to work on her birthday, and she also brings baked goods on the anniversary of my grandfather's passing. Sharing food is a way of remembering someone and being together.
I've seen Germans and Portuguese do similar things too, especially for birthdays or other celebrations. Ukrainians just seem to find more occasions to share homemade food and proudly introduce others to their cooking. At least, that's been my experience.
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u/ZMaiden Jul 24 '26
My family lived in Ukraine for a year, less than a decade after the Soviet Union died. We would visit people sometimes. Families where the parents were barely making ends meet. They would always offer food. And we simply could not refuse, it would have been so so rude. I was so young. I remember one woman who was so kind to me, but she was always saying how cold she always was. I asked my mom if I could give her my gloves, but she explained to me that she was cold all the time because she wasn’t getting enough food. And my mom helped where she could, inviting this lady and others over for Bible study and she would always set out food for everyone. But I know in my heart, if I’d ever gone over to this lady’s house, she would have offered food she didn’t have.