Today, relations between the German and Ukrainian peoples in the fields of diplomacy, economics, and culture are becoming increasingly important. Ukraine is moving towards accelerated European integration. Germany plays a leading role in Western European relations and occupies an important place in the European Union.
Some argue that mentality is an unchanging constant, shaped by centuries of history and passed down from mother to child. Others believe that it can be changed, but that it will take more than a decade to do so.
Today, dear readers, I would like to share with you my subjective opinion after almost three years of living in Germany. I will tell you about some of the peculiarities of the Ukrainian and German mentalities.
Time management and bureaucracy
Germans are known worldwide for their bureaucracy and orderliness. Whether it’s going to a restaurant or making a doctor’s appointment, everything has to be planned weeks or months in advance.
For Ukrainians, this pace is unfamiliar and sometimes even seems strange. For example, many stores in Ukraine are open around the clock, as are most pharmacies, and you can make an appointment with any doctor for the next day, or even for the same day if the situation is critical. The banking system is also fast. In just one day, you can apply for and receive a bank card with access to online banking.
Ukrainians are not used to planning their lives six months or a year in advance. Due to their active lifestyle and the ability to obtain many services quickly, there is no need to organize such things. Therefore, our people are quite impatient with the red tape in Germany.
Formalities
In Germany, it is customary to address people by their surname with the addition of a title until permission is given to switch to their first name. This is considered a sign of respect. At the same time, most colleagues who are older or higher in rank can be addressed informally, even some managers. Such informality is considered the norm here.
In Ukraine, on the contrary, subordinates are required to address people of higher status as “Mr., Ms., Sir, Ma’am” in all cases. The only exceptions are when colleagues are of similar age or when the person themselves suggests switching to “you.” Ukrainian etiquette also dictates that teenagers aged 14 and older should be addressed as “Mr. or Miss” In schools and other educational institutions, special attention is paid to this. Even in some families in western Ukraine, children address their parents using the formal “you” to show respect.
As a Ukrainian girl, it was difficult for me to get used to the familiarity in German culture. Sometimes I really want to say ‘Sie’ (the formal “you”). However, I found the best option — to address my boss as ‘Du’ (the informal “you”) in letters, capitalizing the first letter to show my respect.
Food and holidays
Based on my observations, I can say that most of my German colleagues hardly ever cook and buy semi-finished products or ready-made meals. This also applies to birthday celebrations and traditional holidays. Usually, in such cases, frozen food is bought or delivery is ordered, or the celebrations are held in a restaurant.
Despite their busy lifestyles, Ukrainians still prefer home-cooked meals. Of course, there are those who buy ready-made meals, but they are few and far between. The situation is similar with holidays. Most families maintain the tradition of baking homemade Easter cakes and kutia, or the whole family cuts up Olivier salad for New Year’s Eve. Cooking has become an integral part of the holidays.
The financial approach to birthday celebrations also differs significantly. In Germany, each guest usually pays their own share of the bill or contributes to the overall costs. In Ukraine, however, the birthday boy or girl covers all the costs, treating guests at their own expense.
Waste sorting
Keeping the environment clean is another priority for responsible German citizens. Waste sorting plays an important role here, with waste divided into six categories: plastic, glass, paper, organic waste, clothing, and household waste. Electrical appliances are also handed in separately at special collection points or supermarkets.
Unfortunately, there is no clear separation in Ukraine yet. Usually, only paper, glass, and plastic bottles are sorted. Ukrainians should follow this good example. I can only express my immense gratitude to the German government for its careful attitude towards nature.
Language features and cultural expressions
According to the Duden dictionary, the German language has between 300,000 and 500,000 words. Germans actively use fixed expressions, idioms, proverbs, and phrases in everyday life. Some words have a figurative meaning. For example, the word “Drachenfutter” literally translates as “dragon food,” but its meaning is “appeasing one’s wife after a quarrel.” German men use this term to refer to the custom of giving their wives small gifts (candy, flowers, perfume) after a quarrel over a minor offense.
Other words in German are formed logically, having a common root. For example, the word “Hose” (trousers) gives rise to such derivatives as “kurze Hose” (shorts), “Kniehose” (knickerbockers), ‘Strumpfhose’ (tights), and “Unterhose” (underpants).
The modern Ukrainian language has about 250-300 thousand words. It is also rich in original expressions. Some of them are similar to German expressions. For example, “An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” (Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm) or the expression used by a person in love who “feels butterflies in their stomach” (Schmetterlinge im Bauch).
Taxes on the church and rain
The tax system in Germany is quite complex and differs significantly from that in Ukraine. All taxpayers belong to a specific tax class, which determines the amount of deductions from their salaries. In addition to standard taxes, there is also a church tax, which is paid separately. Interestingly, in some regions, citizens are also required to pay a so-called “rain tax” — a fee for storm sewer maintenance.
The Ukrainian tax system is much simpler in terms of calculations. Some changes were introduced with the start of the war. Thus, as of 2025, the personal income tax rate is 18%, the unified social tax (UST) is 22%, and the military tax is 5%.
European values and the third gender
In Germany, there has long been active discussion about gender identity and equal rights for the LGBT community. Issues of racial and gender discrimination are openly discussed here, with people defending their views. The third gender was officially recognized at the legislative level in 2018. When filling out forms for work, study, or even when visiting a doctor, you can see a choice of three options: w/m/d (female/male/non-binary).
Ukrainian society is gradually moving towards accepting gender identity, but such topics are still discussed with considerable caution. We also hold pride events and LGBT parades. In support of the community, one of Kiev’s main historical monuments, the Arch of Friendship of Nations, was painted in rainbow colors.
I respect German society’s openness to overcoming stereotypes. I am convinced that every person has the right to find themselves, discover their individuality, and not be afraid to express it. Regardless of skin color, religion, gender, or any other characteristics, we are all equal before the law, God, and society.
The above points are just the tip of the iceberg of differences that immediately catch the eye. This list could go on forever. For example, it is worth mentioning the German system of fines, “Silent Sunday” every Sunday, or compulsory health insurance. At the same time, Ukraine stands out for its developed beauty industry, restaurant business, and our camaraderie.
Culture is a living and dynamic process in which each of us leaves our unique mark, building new bridges of mutual understanding between peoples. So draw on the best of every culture and work together to make life better for those around you and for yourselves!
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