Thursday, July 24, 2025

NEW PEOPLE

       Here, is like many other places where Ukrainians have come for a time to live during the war. 

     I have met many different Ukrainians. They have all been hard working and willing to learn about us and fit in. 

    One 20 year old showed up here about 2 years ago. She took a waitressing job at the Casino. We were there the night she started. Her English was very limited. The first night was nerve wracking for her and she dropped all her money on the floor. She worked hard at her English and became proficient with the language. She's here for a set time and then she has to go back. She's hoping her time will be extended. 

    So I got it in my head that we should do more to support and mix with these people in our country. I asked her the other day how to say hello in Ukrainian. You should have seen her eyes light up.  She wondered if my question was for real. So now I know one word in Ukrainian. So in Ukrainian hello is pryvit. 

     I'm going to ask the Ukrainian neighbors how to say thank you and then I can say thankyou to Karina at the restaurant. 

    I know that many people work to support some of the Ukrainians. I received satisfaction by seeing the obvious joy one little question brought.   

   So I will not be learning Ukrainian, but I will learn a few words. 

27 comments:

  1. Good for you Red! I always try to make newcomers feel welcome.

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    1. We don't really understand what these people are going through.

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  2. I wish those folks didn't have to fight so hard to stay here. Two years is not long enough. Linda in Kansas

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    1. this gal has the paper work done to stay longer. she's quite confident that she will get more time.

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  3. Well done! We expect others to learn English..it makes sense to learn a little of other languages. Good brainwork to keep us mentally active. Plus it can be interesting to compare the same word over several languages and see the similarities

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    1. We should be exposed to and have to learn another language but that would be too simple . all kinds of people would complain.

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  4. That is so kind and will bring warmth to a young woman in a strange country.

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    1. I hope it does make her feel better about things although she seems resilient.

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  5. We have Ukrainian families here. I wish I had the opportunity to speak with them too.

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    1. I don't know if we have more Ukrainians here or if I just run into them.

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  6. It is good for the brain to learn anything new, especially a new language. Happy Friday! Have a great day and a happy weekend.

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    1. I had a tough time learning some French when I was much younger. I spent two years in Quebec.

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  7. I hope she will be able to extend her stay. You meet some interesting people, Red

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    1. She's confident she will get to stay longer.

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  8. This is very good and thoughtful of you.

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  9. That's nice of you, Red. I can't understand why people in my country don't want to make people from other countries feel welcome. We all want the same thing, happy families and a peaceful place to live.

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    1. There are many irrational ideas about other people who are different. the irrational is very hard to deal with.

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  10. Nice that you learned a new word! Good to hear that they are in your country legally:)

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    1. There are some people who are irrational about immigrants but we have a system that works quite well. .

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  11. That's a nice way to make her feel a part of the community.

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    1. She's a very friendly girl so easy to visit with.

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  12. It must be so hard for these Ukrainian visitors, trying to fit in and knowing they will probably have to go back to a war torn country. Good for you for making a friendly approach to her.

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    1. Some people are hesitant to make contact but it's a lot of fun.

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  13. You're a good man, Keith. I hope your care and concern is returned to you in spades.

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