Despite the huge number of answers received for this Reader Poll, the result was never really in doubt. When it came to naming the best foreign product to have been introduced in Ukraine over the first 10 years of independence, Post readers chose Coca‑Cola.

That result would no doubt have the folks at Coke’s head office in Atlanta raising their glasses in victory. A few readers even specified “ice‑cold Coke” in particular – apparently ignoring that timeless Ukrainian belief that cold drinks cause colds. Talk about market impact.

On more practical matters, you may have noticed that you’ve been bumping into more young Ukrainians lately. Well, that’s mainly because they tend to walk with their head down and eyes focused only on their mobile phones – sending and receiving messages, surfing the Net or even making calls. One ex‑pat reader evidently feels the same way, and he wrote of just how big an impact cell phones have made in the country.

“Without it, you could literally waste hours, if not days, with missed appointments, changed plans, ad infinitum. Plus, for a few years there were no pay phones ... and now you still need to find one that works!” he said. “When I’m in Ukraine I feel obligated to put flowers near my mobile phone at night, burn incense and light a candle in church in thanks for its arrival in my life.”

If this ex‑pat was unabashed in his love for the importance of mobile phones, another described her affection for McDonald’s (tied in voting as the country’s third‑most popular import) as a guilty pleasure.

“I would never frequent their establishments in the States,” she wrote, “but there are times you just need a quick Western fix and you don’t want to pay $15 for a burger at some places that begin with an ‘A’.”

Now, there are times when we’re all willing to pay a little extra for luxury, convenience or high standards when it comes to the things we consider essential. At least that’s how a lot of readers appear to feel about personal hygiene products, like toilet paper for instance. Of course, most of these products – with the exception of Viagra (which also received the “nod”) – were available in some shape or form in pre‑independence Ukraine. But a lot of respondents praised the availability and quality of the imported varieties. “Prior to 1989 or so, things were pretty ugly,” wrote one.

One reader seemed to have the whole family covered with his answer: “For babies, it’s Pampers; for women, it’s hygiene products; for men, it’s Viagra.”

Another ex‑pat praised the deodorant revolution but moaned, “Now to just get people to use it.” That’s where ad‑men come in, evidently, since another respondent wrote that the best import is, “the TV commercials that teach people how to use dandruff shampoos, hygiene products and chewing gum to prevent cavities.”

But if you buy into the advertising, how do you buy all those products? No problem, according to one ex‑pat, who wrote that the best import is without question the credit card.

“This wonderful product enables one to wine and dine local beauties with money one hasn’t got!” he offered. “This aids in keeping up the appearance of being a wealthy foreign prince!”

– Daniel MacIsaac

RESULTS

1. Coca Cola

2. Mobile phones

3. McDonald’s

(Tie) Toilet paper

(Tie) Tampons

4. Chewing gum

(Tie) Deodorant

(Tie) Credit cards

(Tie) Customer service

Others receiving votes: U.S. dollar, pizza, photocopiers, compact discs, gas stations, good airlines, washing machines, enlightenment, nachos and salsa, Philips, peanut butter, frozen food, freedom, dry‑cleaning, fast food, yogurt, USAID mission, USAID housing allowance, the Internet, (reliable) condoms, whiskey, British and American cigarettes, staplers.

NEXT QUESTION

Who’s the best waiter/ waitress/bartender in Kyiv?

E‑mail answers and comments to readers@kyivpost.com.