CULTURAL OBSERVATIONS Jewellery shop. Two customers. Women. 30’s, 50’s. After mu

CULTURAL OBSERVATIONS

Jewellery shop. Two customers. Women. 30’s, 50’s.

After much consideration, the younger woman flirts with her husband, and he buys what she wants. His expression is one of resigned helplessness.

Due to subtle communication between women invisible to me the older woman and the salesgirls smile and giggle.

The older woman says “see that is a real Ukrainian woman.”

Husband says “I cannot say no.”

Another round of giggles.

Older woman ups the compliment. “Yes. A perfect Ukrainian woman.”

In that expression of power, lies the difference between eastern and western relationships.