Ukraine has a reputation of corruption & bribery - but they are trying to change that.....a recent paper reported both on a high ranking customs official being caught accepting 20,000 hr (~$2,500USD) to turn a blind eye on a ship that violated customs rules AND the President vowing to end corruption.
Additionally, there are lots of stories swirling around the ex-pat community of corruption - a kid's teddy bear being 'held hostage' for a bribe at the airport, traffic violations being absolved for a fee. So I've learned a few tricks from being here....
Getting the kids out the door, on time in the morning is a serious struggle. After a few weeks, I realized screaming, threatening and loud clapping was not proving effective.....so I borrowed a page from the Ukrainian playbook.............
Bribery really does work! Simple formula - be ready & waiting before the bus arrives, put a handful of noodles in the jar. Fill the jar, go to one of the many 'fun zones' in town......
The first jar took about 3 weeks to fill. The second (a much bigger jar), took about 5.....but the reward was deemed ' worth it'.
Kiev has several fun zone type places best described as Chuck E Cheese on steroids....
Tons of video games...
Casino like - they reward you with coupons.....
....to turn in for cheap crap the kids love!
Rides...
....including a kiddie bull ride (damn, maybe we ARE in Kansas!)
Even bowling...
...and crap food (these Kids Meals were purchased from a place called "McFoxxy". Their food, logo and atmosphere is strikingly similar to the U.S. behemoth.....people have joked only in Ukraine would they allow such blatant trademark infringement)
...And of course, the requisite electric cars kids can drive themselves - although at this mall they are in the shape of animals vs. cars......
So whether you call it 'performance incentives' or 'bribery' doesn't matter to me. If it gets these 3 out the door in time, without any screaming, sign me up!
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