Residents of Switzerland, Albania, Latvia and Luxembourg told KYKY how they imagine Belarus. The answers turned out to be controversial: authoritarianism, “part of Russia,” dishes made from animal entrails – this is the composite portrait of the country in the West. I’m glad that at least for an Albanian girl it’s easy to meet a Belarusian guy - just say in Russian: “Hello, I love you. That's it, come on!"
Matthias, Switzerland: “Men and boys in Belarus are strong and big, and wear sweaters that their grandmothers knitted”
I know that the capital is Minsk, but I cannot say what the city is like. Your president, Lukashenko, is called “the last dictator of Europe” - he has been in power for probably 15-20 years. Political system quite autocratic, democracy is not well developed, and in addition, Belarus is quite closed to a European country.
It's probably cold in Belarus because you're close to Russia. In winter the temperature is -10 or -15, or even -20 - when the wind comes from the northeast, from Siberia, it must be completely cold here. But in summer it is hot - above 30 degrees. In Belarus there live foxes, maybe arctic foxes, and many small fluffy squirrels.
I don’t have a clear idea of what Belarusians look like: girls and women probably almost always wear skirts. Men and boys in Belarus are strong and large, and wear sweaters that their grandmothers knitted and hats (but not French ones). There are not many hipsters here - maybe 0.5% of everything. Maybe something related to the military is popular: combat boots, camouflage, short hair. These are not skinheads, not political activists - they just like the military style.
I have a feeling that Belarus is a rather conservative country in terms of gender roles: men are strong, and women mostly stay at home and raise children. Therefore, to get to know Belarusian girl, I would act in this direction. You need to appear strong, that you are able to provide for your family and so on.
IN free time Belarusians do the same thing as the Swiss: they watch TV, the guys play football. Maybe you play chess? You are close to Russia and its culture has influenced you, and Russians love chess. You probably also love fishing.
Arilda, Albania: “Belarusian writer won the Nobel Prize - to be honest, I expected her to be sent to prison”
I study in Lithuania and know a lot about Belarus. Your president has been in power since you gained independence. Therefore, he is authoritarian: he tries to control not only politics, but also society. The coolest thing is that you can't clap in the street because of the protests that happened a few years ago. Belarusian writer won Nobel Prize– To be honest, I expected that upon returning to Belarus she would be sent to prison.
I wanted to visit Belarus, and I had the opportunity: the university organized a trip for foreign students to several countries, including yours.
But they didn’t give me a visa: I had to provide an invitation and couldn’t get a regular tourist visa. The email said: “You cannot go because your nationality is prohibited.”
Why is unclear. Although I did not have a chance to visit Belarusian cities, but I can imagine that they look a little Soviet - similar to Klaipeda, for example.
On this topic: Architectural features of Minsk that foreigners like 
It seems to me that the Internet and social media it is more limited here than in Europe: there is no access to all sites. You use VKontakte instead of Facebook - and therefore you sort of separate yourself from the Western world and connect more with the Russian community, because only Russians and Belarusians use this network. I think you also use Instagram and Snapchat ( messaging application with attached photos and videos. Users set a limit for how long recipients can view them - approx. KYKY).
Belarusians eat borscht, maybe something similar to Lithuanian zeppelins. But a special product is potatoes. Probably Belarusians eat it three times a day. The Belarusians I know are very quiet, they don’t like to talk and show their feelings - even when I ask them about the country, they don’t want to tell anything. To get to know handsome guy in Belarus, I would say in Russian: “Hello, I love you. That's it, come on."
Laina, Latvia: “Belarusians have soft facial features. Looks a little round to me"
Your president is Lukashenko, and people call him “Dad.” Your flag is quite beautiful because it has the national pattern on the left side. I know the anthem, but I can’t sing it now. I was in Belarus, came to the competition. True, I don’t remember what kind of city it was. I know that there is a stadium there where preparations for winter are taking place. Olympic Games and biathlon training.
Belarusians are very kind and sympathetic people. Our car broke down and we had to stay three more days. Not only did we run out of money, but we didn’t even know where we could get the car repaired – we were in an isolated place. But they gave us a good room for free, fed us and helped us get to the border - this really saved us.
I noticed that Belarusians have soft facial features: there are no sharp lines on the jaw or nose. They even look a little round to me. Women are quite short, and men, on the contrary, are very tall. At least that's what I can say about the people I've met. How to meet a Belarusian guy? I think I would say, “I think you should be able to dance!”
Richard, Spain (Catalonia): “Probably the center-right is in power”
Belarus is a post-Soviet country. It is medium in size, but smaller than Spain. Probably the center-right are in power - it seems so to me, because your past is connected with communism. I heard about your president and that he is not completely democratic. He may have been in power for 25 years.
I think Belarusians are tall, white-skinned, with clean, clear eyes. Girls wear braids because it is a traditional hairstyle. Belarusians usually spend their free time at parties and drinking vodka. They eat a lot of soups and wild animals: wild boar, maybe moose, like in Estonia. I think also potatoes and vegetables, like broccoli.
To meet a girl, I would pretend to be Spanish ( Richard considers himself a Catalan - approx. KYKY). There’s not much southern here, and it’s different from what people in the north are used to – that’s why something from the south seems cooler.
Leonor, Luxembourg: “It seems to me that Belarus has always been part of Russia before”
I don’t want to speak for all Western European youth, but personally I know little about Belarus. But in many ways I associate it with Russia - for me it’s practically the same thing, because the names of the countries are consonant and they are nearby. It seems to me that Belarus has always been part of Russia before.
Belarus gained independence after the Bolshevik Revolution or after the First World War.
The country probably wanted to become independent for a long time, but after these events such an opportunity arose. I don't know what Belarusians look like national symbols. There is definitely a red color because communism ( laughs), dark green. Perhaps it looks like the flag of Lithuania. There's probably a third color - but I have no idea what it is.
I think that Belarusians are similar to Russians. Belarusians have stern faces and eyes, women are cold and distant. Strong in Belarus family tradition: You have many children, three or four each. You probably love political jokes, irony and satire. The IT sector is important for Belarus. For some reason it seems to me that Belarusian men really love computer science. Agriculture It can hardly be the main branch of the economy - the Belarusian climate is not very suitable for that.
Stella, Germany: “Belarusians drink in their free time”
The only thing I know is that the name is translated from German as “White Russia”. Plus or minus, I know where it is - not in the EU, but it borders the Baltic states and Ukraine in the north. This will probably sound racist: Belarusians do not Slavic type appearance, but more Russian. But Russia is a very mixed country, so I will say that Belarusians are similar to Siberians, northern people: blondes with blue eyes.
Belarusians drink in their free time, but I’m not saying this because of a stereotype. All people do this: in Spain, in Germany, in the Czech Republic... I think that famous and important personalities are depicted on Belarusian money: poets, musicians.
Airen, Cyprus: “Belarusians eat hot fish soups with fish and herbs or meat soups with animal entrails”
I learned about Belarus several years ago in a geography lesson at school - before that I had no idea that such a country existed. And the only thing I know is that the capital is Minsk. Belarusians are similar to Russians and Ukrainians because they are closely related. Belarusians probably have blue eyes, blond hair and always white skin! Belarusians eat hot fish soups with herbs or meat, with animal entrails - like in Edinburgh, because it is a cold country.
Probably the most profitable occupations are economist or businessman. I say this because I have a friend from Minsk who is studying marketing.
This suggests that this area is in demand in the country and, perhaps, a good future awaits people involved in this.
If you notice an error in the text, select it and press Ctrl+Enter
I have a friend, let’s call him A., who is very energetically concerned about a certain “gene pool of the nation.” At the sight of a sweet couple, where the role of the stronger half is clearly not a descendant of the Radimichi - he is too dark, with black hair and a sparkling eye - A. tsks as a sign of disapproval. He also doesn’t like two-meter-tall Swedes with a red beard, but a Swede is a rare bird in our area. Historically, guests often fly to us on Turkish Airlines. They fly in and then captivate women’s hearts.
Tugruldemirel.com
« This is all because you women are complex. You don’t know your own prices. Follow the first one who beckons with his finger“, says A. and confidently leans back in his chair: he solved the infinity sign, no less.
I don't know, I don't know. Maybe it's the other way around? We believe that flowers should appear in our lives so often that we no longer want to be photographed with them. We believe that we are worthy of the words “beloved”, “the only one” (or “bunny” at worst), and in what language is the tenth matter. Dear A., you can’t blame us girls for wanting to hear compliments, especially if the eloquence of the interlocutor is more inventive “ beautiful eyes" And although “compliments” and “complexes” are similar words, the latter seem to have nothing to do with it. Even beautiful girls fall asleep with a photograph of the boy who taught them to dive in the Red Sea.
« There are few gifts - but there will be an economical husband, everything will go to the house, and no ostentatious gestures“, - the grandmother will say. Oh, grandma, why do I need all these slow cookers without love? Without love, carrot cake will always be missing nuts...
« Modesty hides deeper feelings”, - the next series will promote us not the most recent idea. But you don’t need to be a genius to understand: not every modest person is an enviable match. What if the man is not at all modest and economical, but boring and greedy, worse than Shakespeare’s Shylock?
« That's it! And you are fooled by money“,” A. grins condescendingly, as if he had checkmated a yellow-haired chess player. You can’t, they say, seriously love a person with a belly. And with a bald head. And even in his years... Stop, stop, stop. Since when did belly fat become a sign of ethnicity? It’s not just Apollos walking around the Belarusian streets (and it’s good, because we don’t have production of aphrodites on the assembly line either).
Even the most patriotic girl who uses Tinder will have a hard time ignoring absolutely all foreigners. Unless she specifically pays attention to names. The reality is this: if your avatar is well-groomed and courageous man with an infectious smile at all 32, this is in the vast majority of cases a foreigner.
Read in full in the source with photos:
menrules.com
Foreigners immediately write “hi” and easily take the acquaintance offline. Our guys often remain silent after mutual liking, like partisan grandfathers. Marinate them, huskies. Statistics are collected. At the same time they look stern. It’s understandable: autumn, the dollar exchange rate, a car loan... Of course, a hurricane of passion may be hiding behind an icy wall, but not everyone has enough warmth to test this theory. And then, suddenly Kai... that's it? In other words, it cannot be resuscitated. Some people don’t smile because the weather is November, but others are just a boring misanthrope who needs to be run away from, and as soon as possible!
The tummies do not check the coat of arms on the passport. Everyone's bellies are growing. And by the way, there is a huge difference between an overweight, always dissatisfied guy in sweatpants and a fake Rolex, in whose look you can read: “I’m that guy who is always rude in line,” and a jovial fat guy who cooks the best pizza in the world and knows how to laugh so hard the walls shake.
By the way, there are also fans of the bald head.
Read in full in the source with photos:
finebathroomvanities.com
« Nobody gives birth in the country", grumbles A. I can see him at the table of the Minister of Labor and social protection. By the way, A. himself has exactly zero children so far. I don’t know what’s stopping him from creating blue-eyed charmers for an entire hockey team. The dollar exchange rate or the fall, or most likely the fact that A. does not understand the main thing. If a girl married a foreigner, flew to Munich and supports Bayern, then it’s better for her. For others (the majority of them), no matter how many speeches sweeter than baklava are poured into their ears, it is much more important to experience similar emotions with the chosen one at the sight of an electronic toy, where the wolf from “Well, wait a minute!” catches eggs, and laughs at the same moments in “Yolki.”
Cultural commonality often outweighs openness to imports. Gives a ten point handicap. But you can earn at least five more if, in addition to knowing the chords of “Spleen,” you learn to switch your seriousness to hibernation mode at the right moment. Worth a try.
"Visa-free regime - great idea", "trouble with English", "expensive hotels" - foreigners share their impressions of Belarus
The last month of spring traditionally becomes a tourist month for our country. Residents of neighboring countries, mostly Russians, come to Minsk for the May holidays, and they can tell almost more about excursion Belarus than the locals. The recently adopted visa-free regime has added color to the capital's streets and expanded the picture of nationalities: from outsiders who are prohibited from entering, residents of 80 countries have turned into welcome guests (even if for now only for five days). Onliner.by took to the decorated streets of Minsk to ask tourists about their impressions of the country and its capital.
What do foreigners notice first? What will they tell their friends about and will Belarus be able to captivate foreign guests so much that they want to come back here again (or even more than once)? We asked tourists to tell not only about the good, but also about what could be changed in our way of life to make the life of an “overseas” guest more comfortable and familiar.
A young man named Hock, although born in Taiwan, lives permanently in Australia. A year ago, a travel lover, thanks to the Internet, met a beautiful Belarusian woman. And I decided to find out more about her home country.
What's cool
- I immediately planned to stay longer than five days, so I had to apply for a visa,- explains Hawk. - I have been in Belarus for a week now. I spent most of this time in Minsk. Just yesterday I drove through the whole city on a special red tourist bus - I climbed onto the second floor and looked around the city. I liked it. I heard that there is also a green bus, which also introduces you to the sights, I’m going to take a ride on it.
Minsk is a cool city. I was impressed by the buildings in the center (beautiful architecture) and Independence Square. I also liked Belarusian food, especially vegetable pancakes (I don’t remember what they are called). True, there are not many establishments where you can try national cuisine - I go to Vasilki.
I live in a hotel - I stayed at BonHotel, the hotel is good, and the room prices are comparable to Australian ones - on average $60-70 per night. Nightlife I haven’t studied Minsk yet. But public transport I liked it - so far I have only used buses and the metro, the travel seemed very cheap to me.
What can be changed
- Simplify the procedure for obtaining a visa. When you are used to flying around the world without any visas at all, all these extra hassles and worries are difficult to perceive. It was very difficult for me. Well, there’s a problem with English - not all passers-by understand what you’re talking about.
Dominic is also difficult geographical history: a man originally from Germany, lives in Ukraine, and came to Belarus to visit his wife’s relatives. This is not the first time he has visited our country and notes the changes.
What's cool
- A visa-free regime has appeared - it is very convenient. Five days, in principle, are enough to resolve basic issues and even explore the country a little (we arrived for four days in general). The only inconvenience is the connection to the airport.
The city is constantly changing: new buildings are being built, things are being restored, new bars and restaurants are opening. I can note that there is a lot more going on in the Old Town: before the streets were empty, but now there are exhibitions, festivals - in a word, activity.
What can be changed
- Sometimes there are not enough inscriptions on English. In the center everything is fine, but if you move a little further, problems begin. Of course, you can ask passers-by with a question, but not everyone will be able to give advice - young people, in principle, speak English, but older people no longer do. And this is very important. I don’t have any problems, since I speak Russian fluently, but if my father were traveling alone around Minsk, it would be difficult for him even in the metro - the inscriptions there are non-standard. My advice is to promote English at all levels.
Olya and Nastya are representatives of the largest tourist class for us; the girls came from Moscow. In just a few hours, we packed our things, jumped into the car and rushed to Minsk.
What's cool
- The trip was very spontaneous, but it’s always like that with us,- the girls laugh. - Why Belarus? Because vacationing here is inexpensive and not very far from home. Initially we wanted to see the Mir and Nesvizh castles, so we went there on the first day. We were not disappointed - we really liked the castles. On the way back we'll stop by Vitebsk.
Minsk is cool, and your people are very kind - everyone is smiling and happy to give advice. It's captivating. We live in the Tourist Hotel - an excellent option for little money. As for food, we try to try only national cuisine. I like everything. We will definitely tell our friends about Belarus and advise them to come here.
What can be changed
- I would like there to be more activities in the city: something that would attract young people, otherwise in the evenings the streets are empty and quiet. A problem arose with the independent excursion: we tried to download a guide to Minsk, but there were very few options. And when they finally downloaded one of them and listened to it, they almost fell asleep - “it was built in such and such a year, by such and such a person, who was a relative of such and such a person.” Bored, terribly uninteresting. Although it could leave a lot more impressions if everything was thought out and designed for young people.
It would be great if there were original excursions in Minsk, like, for example, in St. Petersburg on the roofs. Or so that you can complete a quest around city attractions. It would also be nice if the metro worked longer and the train intervals were shorter (in the evening you can stand for a very long time). There are not enough good grocery stores - most of them are small with little choice, and prices for goods are the same as in Moscow.
Alexey and Yulia with their two sons, Stepan and Kirill, came to Minsk for the May holidays from the Volga region. For the first time, the head of the family found himself in our latitudes on work matters, and after getting to know the city, he was so inspired that he decided to show the neighboring country to his household.
What's cool
- We decided to spend the May holidays usefully - both to relax and to see how they live in the neighboring state,- Alexey explains. - We arrived by car, so I can safely say that the roads in Belarus are different: there are better ones, and there are worse ones. If we talk about entry into the country, it requires improvement - after all, this is the face of the state. And everything is not bad in Minsk.
We've been here for about a week now. Taking into account the fact that we have two children, we rented an apartment in the center, not a hotel. There are plenty of housing offers in Minsk. But after studying the options on Booking and Airbnb, we decided to look at local housing rental services. It turned out to be more profitable. We contacted the landlords directly, talked, and people agreed to work on their word of honor, without prepayment, which was very nice. The most important thing is that there is no discrepancy at all between what is shown in the photo and the real condition of the apartment. I would like to note that Belarusians are honest and decent people. They are very similar to us in mentality.
I liked the city center - there is no dominance of signs, everything is very organic and laconic. We have already visited the Mir and Nesvizh castles - the impressions are the best. They often say that Belarus is the USSR, but I disagree. We found echoes only in GUM, but again this was said not as a reproach, but in in a good way: a large store with its own goods.
What can be changed
- We need to develop the tourism sector. Even we Russians don’t always know about Belarus and its attractions. Should be normal marketing strategy, it needs to be implemented. You have excellent products and services, but this information needs to be conveyed. It is also worth emphasizing national cuisine- there are not enough establishments with Belarusian flavor and original food. For some reason little attention is paid to this.
Carolina and Marcello are originally from Italy, but study in Moscow, and decided to spend the weekend in Minsk. Young people just arrived in the country yesterday, taking advantage of the visa-free regime, and are now enjoying walking around the city.
What's cool
- Before coming, we knew almost nothing about Minsk and Belarus. And they would hardly have dared to take such a trip if not for the visa-free regime. But since we have many friends in Moscow and they often visit Minsk, we decided to try it. Before that, we only looked at their vacation photos. You know, expectations and reality coincide so far, there is no feeling of disappointment.
We spent the first night at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel - it was nice, but very expensive. Today we moved to a hostel: 10 euros per night is already a normal price. But finding a place was not easy; almost all hostels in the center were booked for the May holidays.
In Minsk, new establishments open every week for lovers of gastronomic delights and healthy lifestyle. You can read about them and choose where to go on the rest of your day off by following the link.
Are you planning to visit the Mir and Nesvizh castles, but are afraid that your car will let you down? the best specialists for auto repair, look in the section
Stay in the country without registration for more than 5 days
If you are staying at the hotel for more than 5 days, the hotel staff will do this for you. But if you live in an apartment or with relatives, you need to register yourself. Otherwise, problems will arise when crossing the border and you will have to pay a fine.
Saying “Belarus” and “Your place is very clean”
Belarus is the Soviet name for a country, like Moldova and Kyrgyzstan or the Baltic states. It is correct to say “Belarus”, as it is written in UN documents. And many Belarusians do not like it when the country is called Belarus. You won’t get hit in the eye for this, but the attitude towards you will be better if you name the country correctly. Clean streets are the only thing tourists see in Belarus. And they often connect this with the authorities, which also makes many Belarusians nervous. We believe we have much more than clean streets. Therefore, it’s better not to talk about it.
Pay in Russian rubles and other currencies
You can pay in Belarus only in Belarusian rubles or by card in any currency. Russian rubles, dollars and other currencies are not accepted anywhere (otherwise it is illegal). But in Belarus there are no problems with currency exchange - you can safely change it at any bank without the risk of getting an undervalued exchange rate. The rate is almost the same everywhere, there is no commission and they issue a receipt.
Joking about a bomb in the subway or airport
You can easily go to jail for such jokes in Belarus. And this has already happened. A Russian woman at airport security joked about a bomb in her bag, but aviation security officers did not appreciate the joke. I had to spend some time in a pre-trial detention center, and then several months under house arrest. The most harmless joke about this will be a test for you.
Photograph the KGB and train stations
In fact, it is possible, but there is a risk. In Belarus there is a list of objects that cannot be photographed. Moreover, the police do not show this list to anyone; it is for internal use. But there were cases when tourists were detained for trying to rent the building of the registry office and cinema in Ivye. A newspaper photographer Komsomolskaya Pravda" - for the photo of the Academy of Sciences building. But, as a rule, no one bothers tourists.
Drink alcohol on the street
In Belarus you cannot drink alcohol on the street, not even beer. You can’t even do it on the balcony of a house (hotel). In public places it is possible only in special open areas at cafes.
Park on the sidewalk
Especially in the city center. This is often abused by drivers with Russian license plates. In Minsk, such cars can be towed to an impound lot. And citizens often film violations on their phones and send them to a special channel of the capital’s police, “Interception.”
Traveling through Belarus to Russia by car
Foreigners can enter Russia only through international checkpoints. But there are simply none on the border of Belarus and Russia. Therefore, you cannot travel by car to Russia in transit through Belarus. There is no border between the countries, but passports are checked. Ukrainians and Poles are turned around and sent to international checkpoints - the nearest ones in Ukraine, Latvia and Minsk airport.
Walk past the Central Department Store
This place is unique. People come here to drink beer or coffee and cake. Here you can meet a homeless person and famous writer treating a homeless person to beer. And pay attention to the stucco molding on the walls and ceiling.
Walking drunk on the subway
Or if you are a girl and feel unsure in heels. Such a case actually happened in Minsk. Blogger Elena Stogova claimed that she drank some champagne and was wearing heels. But the metro security decided that the girl was drunk and did not let her into the metro. So the guards really don’t allow drunk people into the Minsk metro. Of course, they don’t force you to breathe into a tube, but they look at your gait.
Tourists who visited Belarus, do not hide their impressions. Collecting their reviews on foreign blogs and guidebooks, I had to laugh a lot, and sometimes feel sad...
ABOUT THE COUNTRY
“Belarus is wide plains, picturesque villages, ancient castles and monasteries, as well as dense forests, picturesque landscapes and thousands of lakes free for swimming.
And the most cultured sports fans live here.”
(worldtravelguide.net portal, UK)
“There are more than 7,000 lakes in Belarus, no matter where you stay, there will definitely be a lake somewhere nearby. To find it, ask the locals. Belarus has wet summers and harsh winters, so if you're going swimming, make sure you do it in the summer."
(rboittier, UK)
ABOUT MINSK
“I have never seen such clean cities as Minsk in my life. And this is not because someone controls people on the street or beats them if they throw garbage. No, it’s just that people have a patriotic consciousness, high morality, and I really liked that about them.”
“Minsk has a glorious history and deserves to be the capital. But unfortunately, the city was destroyed many times, and constant wars buried its prosperous past. The modern face of the city does not reflect the rich ancient history Belarusian people."
ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND TRADITIONS
“I’ve been to Belarus and I think they have one problem - they don’t know how to drink. I tried not to come to the apartments of some of my friends, because a lot of people always gathered there and everyone drank a lot.”
(jasonmaylett, UK)
“Absolutely no one here speaks English. Even words."
(Ushastik, Ireland)
“Never give anyone in Belarus even number flowers. Locals They consider it a bad omen.”
(Travelnotes guide, USA)
“Never quarrel with Belarusians, even as a joke, it can end in a fight. But if you have a fight, treat them to vodka, then they will definitely forgive you.”
(DIRTY_HARRY, Israel)
“Don’t talk about politics with anyone in Belarus. It’s quite possible that the person who started this topic is a secret agent.”
(Tobias_Plieninger, Germany)
“When you go to Belarus, take less good clothes and jewelry with you so as not to seem like a show-off. Here, it takes a Belarusian about a year to buy what you can afford every month.”
(blue-viggen, UK)
“I was amazed that in Belarus they know such a group as Pink Floyd and U2. I was told that only songs like “Kupalinka” are popular here.
(Jon, Ireland)
ABOUT BELARUSIANS:
“Russian women are unique creatures. They put family before themselves. They are always ready to exchange a brilliant career to be with their husband and children. Even if you give a Russian woman little attention, love and care, but show her that you value her as a wife and mistress of the house, and also admire her beauty, she will be faithful to you until death.”
"Belarus" means "White Russia". The most live here beautiful women! Despite the cold, they always wear miniskirts and look so beautiful and feminine! Mostly Belarusian women have blond hair and pale skin, and their eyes are green. They look like real pure, white Russians!”
(A-Friend-Of-Belarus, Serbia)
“There are more than 300 Russian female names. There are those that come from deep history, but are still very popular. It is also interesting that for Russians each name has its own meaning or meaning. It may seem strange, but if you know the meaning of the name of the girl you met, you can understand what she is like, just like in a horoscope.”
(portal city-of-brides.com, USA)
“There are beautiful and sexy girls in Belarus. Since there are fewer men, and every Belarusian woman dreams only of a family, they have to look better to compete.”
(portal mypartnerforever.com, UK)
ABOUT THE SERVICE:
« Many large stores in Belarus, especially non-food stores, operate huge amount service personnel. There is a salesperson near almost every counter. Only this seller has the keys to the display case behind which the goods are displayed, like in a museum. If you want to watch something, you must contact him, and he will let you watch it. Once you select an item, you will have to go to another seller to pay.”
(DAO, UK)
“Many grocery or convenience stores have systems that are strange (to us). One store can be divided into five departments. You buy milk in one, meat in another, and so on, and this happens in small stores. It turns out that you are paying all the time: you take two steps and you pay, then two more steps and you pay again, and so on.”
(rboittier, UK)
“The hotel staff is something! Here, few people smile and speak to you in a friendly tone - and this is in a fairly expensive hotel (the room cost 40 euros per night). Front Desk barely speaks English but it wasn't that bad big problem for me. I had a dictionary with me, and my native Serbian language is very similar to the Russian that everyone speaks there.”
(Mix, Serbia)
“If you are traveling to Belarus by car, be prepared for a long wait at the border. We drove through Poland to the border crossing of Brest and waited there for 9 hours. It takes so long because there are not enough checkpoints there, and there are a lot of cars. We expected a couple of hours of waiting, but not that much. System to get it all necessary documents, - just chaos. If my Dutch friend, who speaks a little Russian, hadn’t helped me, we would have gone back to Poland.”
(Harlow, Holland)
ABOUT THE PRODUCTS:
“Apple juice in Belarus is just a dream. It has no additives, not even added sugar. I think that Belarusians collect apples and squeeze them without any production. This juice is sold in funny three-liter jars and costs, as far as I remember, a little more than 1 euro.
(Dirim, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
“In Belarus they drink a drink called kefir. It is very similar to yogurt or Turkish ayran, but less salty and more condensed. Delicious! And among the alcoholic beverages in Belarus they drink champagne. As far as I know, this tradition dates back to the times of the USSR.
(Said, Türkiye)
ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT:
“I was in Minsk clubs and this is what I noticed: mostly 20-year-olds go there (it even seemed to me that some were not even 18). The music is usually too loud. The majority of people wear black clothes to the club.
I also went to a strip club and paid $50 for a private dance and was disappointed.
(ghardey, USA)
“I went to one nightclub in Minsk, and I liked everything! Especially the girls at the disco. They are very beautiful and easy to get to know. I was surprised they weren’t prostitutes.”
(stephan, Austria)
ABOUT SAFETY:
“Minsk is a really quiet and safe place, probably the capital is the safest place in Belarus. This is due to the fact that there are police everywhere here.”
(Carletto76, Italy)
“I would like to say that I have just returned from a trip to Belarus and I can reassure everyone who wants to go there - it is completely normal there. There is no need to pretend that you are poor so as not to be robbed. Also, you shouldn't immediately work if you see police officers (although it's true that you shouldn't bother them). The people are lovely and friendly and there’s low crime.”
(winterflop, Austria)
“There are a lot of people in Belarus who only care about how to get to your money. For example, when I needed to buy a ticket at the main railway station, no one there spoke English and did not understand what I wanted. But one friendly girl who spoke English offered to help me. I paid for the ticket in rubles, and later found out that I overpaid 30 euros. And I was wondering why the cashier and the girl who helped me were grinning at each other so much. Everyone is trying to make money."
(dulgros, Germany)
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