Opinion: to Invest to Ukraine – how to drink vodka for the first time

Head Telenor Group in Ukraine Trond Moe compares investment to Ukraine to the first experience of the use of vodka

Probably, I will be not original, but agree, that the vodka theme - is inexhaustible. Having got acquainted here with this hot drink and having worked in Ukraine it is a lot of years, I have understood - between the use of vodka and investment in this country is much in common.

So, the beginning. First, you really do not wish it to do, thinking, that it will be wildly and terribly. After all it would not be desirable drink at all a pile facing to you to the bottom. In the beginning you simply hold it in a hand - only to stand out.

Many foreigners, certainly, will tell at once to vodka firm "are not present", no less than many will not invest to Ukraine. But nevertheless some, for example as I, will risk and will pass not one «test by vodka».

I admit, that at first it was a little terrible, but friendly Ukrainians assured it it is quite safe. A pier until you do the same, as local: have a snack vodka fat meal like fat and sausage, washing down with compote, problems will not be. But, certainly, it is a lie. You only will understand it much later when ways back already are not present. Here on the one hand each two minutes the big fellow tries to embrace you friendly huge, and the nice girl flirts with another - with you.

With the first investments into Ukraine we had a similar situation. All assured us that it is absolutely safe - simply arrive, as local, and all at you will be normal. Only for God’s sake, do not try to change something is it is impolite!

So, you, resting, swallow the vodka first glass - sensations simply awful! An organism in a full shock. You are convinced, that the presentiment was true: all the same to invest to Ukraine it is unsafe. But, as is known, «between the first and the second pereryivchik small». Before you have time to come round, the host transfers to you, as to the visitor, the honourable right to say the second toast. Then it is necessary to devastate one more glass.

And again it is unpleasant, but it is already a little better, than for the first time. And this strange marinaded cucumber not seems such opposite.

The third toast - for women and love. You from politeness rise, still keeping standing, and here to you shout again: «Bottoms up!» You drink and at once start to search for that extraordinary tasty cucumber. And - about a miracle! - you feel simply remarkably - the cultural shock passed. Now you already almost the expert in all Ukrainian language!

And with investments: all goes better after the first shocking experience. You have already got used to that as the chief, should sign each piece of paper which is falling outside the limits office and that the press is the most valuable subject in the company. It seems strange, but at you all turns out!

Here time of the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and so on toasts approaches. Already there is no need to remind that the glass should be drunk to the bottom. You the expert! You precisely know what to do and as. Also do not notice, that your host swindles and does not drink completely the glass after each toast.

By this time Ukraine seems to you the fine country, and you feel yourselves perfectly well. But here you try to rise. Something not so with balance, but with assistance at you all will turn out.

It is already impossible to restore a chain of events. Probably, you have fallen from a chair as the body is ill in different places, and, probably, something not that have told, as someone shouts at someone and there is no confidence of, whether you this someone.

Next day you wake up with an awful headache and an empty purse, trying to think, whether you have fallen asleep in one bed with someone unfamiliar.

The foreign investor passes in Ukraine through something similar. In the beginning all was excellent, all were very friendly, but suddenly the party has ended.

Certainly, all not necessarily develops so. After that awful «tests by vodka» you do not need to do the first same during a feast with the Ukrainian friends. Now you have a possibility to arrive differently or at least to try to make it. But nevertheless to change the approach to business dealing in Ukraine it is very uneasy.

And, at last, I will afford one more allegory. The silly foreigner continues to drink a glass of vodka to the bottom each time because «here so it is accepted». The clever foreigner will acquaint the Ukrainian colleagues with the refined wines and dishes, with strong espresso and a small drink of cognac upon termination of a meal. It will acquaint the colleagues with customs and kitchens of the different countries of the world. That Ukrainian who refuses to try the refined dishes and wines is silly also and demands vodka to fua gra, overturning a wine-glass expensive armanyaka one drink, having had a snack its segment of a lemon. And the clever Ukrainian drinks the vodka with pride and from time to time. It also appreciates other customs and traditions both behind a table, and in business.