The Rationalization of Happiness

“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

― Nathaniel Hawthorne

 

The New Path for Ukraine

Today (27.06.2014) Ukraine has signed the Association Agreement and the Final Act with the EU. In his speech before the signature, the President noted: "It is a symbol of fate and unbreakable will. It is a tribute to people who gave their lives and health to make this moment happen. And it is the strongest reminder that today's Europe is and must be about people's determination to live in a better and fairer world".

But my post is not about the Agreement, its economic benefits, neither it’s about the mess caused after Janukovitch ditched the agreement and fled the country. My post is about people and some significant changes in Ukraine, which are worth celebrating. The change, which finally comes from people’s hearts. It’s also about the path, Ukrainians have chosen if they are to unite Ukraine.

By Olena Denysyuk

When I was going to travel to Ukraine last month, my colleague seemed worried and asked me not to demonstrate naked in the streets, and not to shout out – “Putin hands off Ukraine”.  In their eyes they were right, when thinking that it was going to be an extreme vacation, having in mind the recent political and separatist movements in Ukraine.  

On top of that, I missed my flight. Should I have taken this, as a sign from  the top that I was meant to stay home? All worst case scenarios taken into consideration, the worst thing that might happen, could be that the airport was shut down. There were no worries, nor fears and 5 days later than planned I started to make my way to Ukraine, bearing in mind the jungle of news that have been broadcasted directly into my brain during the last couple of months.

I arrived safely, not demonstrating naked or shouting loudly “Putin off Ukraine”. Yet, there are some things to be celebrated, which I am going to write about.

The flight was boring but the landing was soft, after which I had to jump on top of the heads of the passengers to escape the long queue at the passport control, only to get surprised shortly after. Ukraine met us with a completely new airport.  People met us with smiles. There were no long queues, as there used to be. No shouting, nor elbow pushing. There was no bureaucratic inefficiency, as there also used to be. I felt a warm welcoming and optimism from the people, which was very difficult for me not to notice. For the first time, I thought, it was no longer an ex-Soviet country, characterized by disrespect for time, inefficiency and long queues, meaningless declaration fulfilling at arrival. The airport system did change. So do people. And unfortunately the prices too. And the worries got washed away.

My stay in Ukraine was everything but extreme, even when speaking Russian. On the contrary, I noticed a significant change- people had become more caring, compassionate and polite despite the pain they are going through these days.

3 years ago, these features were in deficit. Actually, my first return back home in 2002 was a more extreme vacation for me. Having lived in Denmark, I used to meet strangers on street with smiles; I was acclimated to European tolerance; or simple soft behaviors from people. Yet, back then people in Ukraine appeared more offensive, tougher in their behavior- which was noticeable to me only after having lived in Denmark for some time.  So apparently - with all respect to my nation- a little rude and clumsy way of communicating in Ukraine was part of the culture- shared with Russian. Therefore, people could appear intolerant, offensive, wild and severe for no reason.

My irritation towards this graceless way of communication rolled enormously with each visit. While in Denmark, being a country characterized by less turmoil, people appeared more wealthy, stable and calm and therefore smiling and polite as a consequence. In Ukraine, in turn, having experienced the collapse of communism and the cracks in EVERY slice of society, people get used to instability and chronic uncertainty towards the future. Not to forget to mention that there is corruption on all levels; businesses are short-sighed, and spotting the arbitrage profit is the main goal of existence. Also for many, speculation became the source of their livings and, therefore, people had literally to use theirs elbows to get things done.  The concept of sustainability and patience was meaningless, because it even didn’t exist in Ukraine. Hours and minutes were measured by days and weeks; the word “yes” was replaced by “no”; the negative attitude prevailed the positive.

So, communism collapsed, and the new system was being built. The implication of a liberal market economy was not known to people, or the government. Thus, for example, the process of rebuilding the system was mainly accompanied with privatization- when the collective ownership was transferred into private ownership. And new governmental structures were formed, that took care of different registrations, controls, supervisions and permissions. From that period, the corruption gained in speed and became a part of the restructuring and rebuilding. Corruption had also spread the seeds of inefficiency, long waiting times and self-interest rather than public spiritedness, while navigating through the jungle of bureaucracy. Using your elbows, short-circuiting the system, be first on a line was the only way to get things done.

And the feeling of chronic stress is barely associated with smiles and politeness, isn’t it? Even knowing that, with my every visit, I got angry with people. There were a few times, when I felt the urge to correct, for example, doctors’ behavior and telling that they should not be rude to people, because they are supposed to set the example of graciousness and politeness. How naive I was. Sometimes I managed to trigger some reflection, but other times, I received aggressive remarks in return, pointing to the fact, that they have to be “persuaded” (with money), if you are to be exposed to politeness. So economic prosperity, and politeness go hand-in-hand. The harsher the economic condition- the less polite and smiling strangers you will meet.  

Like in prehistoric times, people (Ukrainians) banded together to fell the forest, till the soil, harvest the crops, and protect the same from invaders and marauders. So should they had been banding together to fight the corruption and instability. Like the collective effort of living and working together as well as helping the weaker was the fundamental driving force for “prosperity” during the communism, so should the same have prevailed later on, even in higher grade after the collapse of the system. Simple courtesy should have been the glue, which banded people in difficult economic times.

So, inefficiency and corruption of the public sector and its long waiting times resulted in frustration and self-interest. From my own subjective point of view, this was the main factors blocking courtesy.

To be honest, all these years I was horrified by this implicit aggressiveness in people.

Yet, this year was different.

As the political tensions worsened and the threat of split in Ukraine became real, people have in return gained common feelings for the nation. The need to solve everyday problems in cramped and uncertain conditions helped people to consolidate their forces with the goal of e.g., fight corruption; help the sick and injured ones; or simply express their meanings and support, like in a truly democratic country. On social media, for example, there were groups created with names, such as “National Debates”, “Student Coordinating Council” ,“Help the Victims of Kiev”, “Help the Victims of Maydan”, “Commission of Inquiry of human rights violations in Ukraine”, giving the opportunity for people to provide legal, finance or material help, as well as for others to get it for free.

I think Ukraine has never seen such a high level of people wanting to contribute to help to solve the political and economic tensions. For example, as of June 23 in the action "Support the Ukrainian army," the accounts of the Ministry of Defense received 133.795 million from businesses and individuals.

Also, to overcome the national pessimism, people also returned to national pride and national colors. For example, the motives from Ukrainian national dresses have gained extremely high popularity in fashion recently.

Ukraine has been in turmoil sinceNovember. But Ukrainians have never been seen so united, as now. And I have never until recently noticed that people did grasp the need to be united in today’s instability. And have never noticed people to be so polite, caring and open as they are now.

So why is national courtesy so important? First of all, I see courtesy like the glue that unites people. Secondly, I see politeness as a fundamental economic and behavioral characteristic, which should give rise to the national competitive forces, because the proper behavior is a source of new opportunities and willingness to cooperate, willingness to spend, improve and create. This is a new path for Ukraine.

And finally, I have one more reason to say, I love my country. I love Ukraine! And this is a wonderful country to visit!