# Why do Ukranian refugees look so well off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion\ **Created:** [March 3, 2022, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385 "2022-03-03T04:17:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/21 "2022-03-03T16:25:23Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Wow. Just…wow. Save it, please. If you’re picking holes in the idea that most people living in Kyiv can’t afford to catch a bus, I’m afraid I just don’t buy it. Every city on earth has an underclass of people who are sleeping on the streets, for whatever reason. But the vast majority of people living in Kyiv will be working or drawing a pension, paying rent/mortgage, buying food and clothes and, if (when) the bombs start falling, resourceful enough to find a bus fare. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/22 "2022-03-03T20:42:26Z")
I think the expectation of refugees and asylum seekers being poor is a relatively recent one, maybe post WWII. In the pre-war years it was understood that many refugees from Germany or Russia were well-off, cultured and educated, albeit they may not have been able to bring their wealth or possessions with them. In the modern world, an asylum seeker who is not poor is often considered to be some kind of cheat. I am thinking of a well-known journalist in Britain who offered a place in her home to a young asylum seeker, and was horrified to discover that he came from a comfortable background in his home country. She went on to write repeatedly and at length about what she perceived as a deception and breach of her trust. As far as I can tell he was perfectly polite and did nothing wrong except fail to conform to her stereotypes. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/23 "2022-03-03T22:56:42Z")
Surely if you have to flee your home, and don’t know when (if ever) you will be able to come back, you will take with you your most valuable clothes! As well as any jewelry (wedding rings), cell phones & other electronic gadgets, and any valuable, portable items. That just seems like common sense! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/24 "2022-03-03T23:15:55Z")
> [@hibernicus](#): > > I think the expectation of refugees and asylum seekers being poor is a relatively recent one, maybe post WWII. In the pre-war years it was understood that many refugees from Germany or Russia were well-off, cultured and educated, albeit they may not have been able to bring their wealth or possessions with them. > > In the modern world, an asylum seeker who is not poor is often considered to be some kind of cheat. I am thinking of a well-known journalist in Britain who offered a place in her home to a young asylum seeker, and was horrified to discover that he came from a comfortable background in his home country. She went on to write repeatedly and at length about what she perceived as a deception and breach of her trust. As far as I can tell he was perfectly polite and did nothing wrong except fail to conform to her stereotypes. “Not able to bring their wealth or possessions with you” means you are now “poor”. Doesn’t do you any good if all your wealth was confiscated by the Nazis or whoever. Although, I suppose nowadays it’s easier to transfer wealth out of the country electronically. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/25 "2022-03-04T01:44:10Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > I was puzzled by this as well. Maybe they just didn’t have time to change into their refugee outfits from their every day clothes? “Oleksander, be a dear and fetch the bloody rags from the downstairs closet. We need to flee the country and don’t want to make a faux pas in front of the cameras.” ---
**Author:** ![Mesquite-oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/26 "2022-03-04T05:10:17Z")
I have actually read a few opinion pieces which state that one of the reasons that the Western world is rallying so strongly behind the Ukrainians is because they look more “like us” as compared to people in the Middle East. They refer both to their physical features and their style of dress. I have watched a lot of footage and I have to say that they look healthier and wealthier than the people I see at my local grocery store or Walmart here in America. Judging from the looks of their cars, their outerwear, their luggage, and their shoes, they look like upper middle class Americans that I might see getting ready to travel in an airport parking lot. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/27 "2022-03-04T06:01:39Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > “Not able to bring their wealth or possessions with you” means you are now “poor”. Doesn’t do you any good if all your wealth was confiscated by the Nazis or whoever. Yeah. Being poor can happen in an instant. _Looking_ poor is a gradual process. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/28 "2022-03-04T12:42:37Z")
> [@Mesquite-oh](#): > > I have actually read a few opinion pieces which state that one of the reasons that the Western world is rallying so strongly behind the Ukrainians is because they look more “like us” as compared to people in the Middle East. They refer both to their physical features and their style of dress. I believe it was Michael Che who made that comment on _Saturday Night Live_ last week - with more than a grain of truth behind the humor… “So this is what happens when a _white_ country gets invaded.” ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/29 "2022-03-04T12:45:15Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > “Not able to bring their wealth or possessions with you” means you are now “poor”. Doesn’t do you any good if all your wealth was confiscated by the Nazis or whoever. True, but having marketable, universal skills — say, an engineering or medical degree, etc. (And the networking experiences they entail) — would give many a head start on recouping their losses. (I acknowledge that some remarkable entrepreneurial success stories are of less educated, initially poor migrants). ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/30 "2022-03-04T15:57:28Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > “So this is what happens when a _white_ country gets invaded.” This has certainly occurred to me as well. The Canadian fed gov’t is moving at light speed to allow unlimited numbers of refugees into Canada, after only a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, with more than 10 years to plan we couldn’t get our act together efficiently extract Afghan supporters of our troops. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/31 "2022-03-04T16:06:00Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > > [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > > > Maybe they just didn’t have time to change into their refugee outfits from their every day clothes? > > I hate it when that happens. It’s such a social _faux-pas_. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/32 "2022-03-04T16:13:36Z")
> [@Mesquite-oh](#): > > I have actually read a few opinion pieces which state that one of the reasons that the Western world is rallying so strongly behind the Ukrainians is because they look more “like us” as compared to people in the Middle East. They refer both to their physical features and their style of dress. Yes, there’s a lot of this “hierarchy of death” thing going on. One newscaster said that the reason he was so emotionally affected was the sight of all those blonde-haired blue-eyed people being affected, which led to strong backlash. [https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/03/opinions/racist-media-coverage-ukraine-africa-makura-lgs-intl/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/03/opinions/racist-media-coverage-ukraine-africa-makura-lgs-intl/index.html) It’s a safe bet to say that if this were, say, Nigeria or Angola or some other such country getting invaded, most people wouldn’t be blinking at all. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/33 "2022-03-04T16:23:13Z")
Or at least, most Americans would react less strongly. I don’t think it’s quite that universal. I suspect that Africans are more moved by seeing African faces, and East Asians by seeing east Asian faces. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/34 "2022-03-04T18:07:46Z")
Yeah, I am delighted, a war between two white countries whom IDGAF about is like watching a wrestling match… 🤨 I mean, do people have any human feeling whatsoever? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/35 "2022-03-04T20:10:38Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > The Canadian fed gov’t is moving at light speed to allow unlimited numbers of refugees into Canada, after only a couple of weeks. Well, it’s not like Canada doesn’t have lots of experience with Ukranians. Canada to refugees: “We’ll take anyone who want to come to Canada. But you have to live in Saskatchewan.” Refugees: “Mmmm… We’ll get back to you on that.” Canada: “Hey, it was a good deal for your great-great-grandparents.” Refugees: “But _our_ great-great-grandparents didn’t take that offer.” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/36 "2022-03-04T20:12:51Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > “Not able to bring their wealth or possessions with you” means you are now “poor”. Doesn’t do you any good if all your wealth was confiscated by the Nazis or whoever. > > True, but having marketable, universal skills — say, an engineering or medical degree, etc. (And the networking experiences they entail) — would give many a head start on recouping their losses. > > (I acknowledge that some remarkable entrepreneurial success stories are of less educated, initially poor migrants). We pushed to get our interpreter from Iraq it the country. Last I heard he was a successful small business owner in Tennessee ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/37 "2022-03-04T20:43:03Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > It’s a safe bet to say that if this were, say, Nigeria or Angola or some other such country getting invaded, most people wouldn’t be blinking at all. But that’s how we got to _Black Hawk Down_. After everyone criticized America for defending Kuwait only because it had oil, the Americans went into Somalia for allegedly purely humanitarian reasons - and found out why it was never a good idea to stick your neck out for nothing. Reminds me of the scene in _Life of Brian_ where the do-gooder says “Here, brother, let me help you carry your cross”. The condemned says “Oh, OK” gives it to him and runs away, leaving him to be crucified. (“But it’s not mine, I’m just holding it for a friend.”) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/38 "2022-03-04T20:51:55Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Or at least, most Americans would react less strongly. I don’t think it’s quite that universal. I suspect that Africans are more moved by seeing African faces, and East Asians by seeing east Asian faces. I think it has to do a lot more with the fact that Russia is a nuclear armed former superpower. People would probably react just as strongly if China or Japan or India were involved in a major war. I don’t think the Yugoslav Wars in the 90s caused as much of a fuss, even though those people are just as white. While regional conflicts based on ethnic or religious differences also suck, at the end of the day, they tend to stay regional and tend to be the sort of conflicts you don’t want to stick you nose in. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/39 "2022-03-04T21:19:58Z")
> [@Mesquite-oh](#): > > I have actually read a few opinion pieces which state that one of the reasons that the Western world is rallying so strongly behind the Ukrainians is because they look more “like us” Yeah, I don’t know why some people are giving others stink-eye for how they are reacting to the unfolding Ukrainian refugee crisis. It’s not like we haven’t been hearing this whole “…looks like me…” meme for a while now in other contexts. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2022, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385/40 "2022-03-04T21:22:25Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I think it has to do a lot more with the fact that Russia is a nuclear armed former superpower. People would probably react just as strongly if China or Japan or India were involved in a major war. I think it has a lot to do with every country in Europe looking at this situation and thinking, “If Putin gets away with this, then who’s next? – and who’s next after that?” But yeah – it probably also has a good bit to do with many people having back-of-the-head assumptions that this sort of thing only happens in Africa. Or maybe if you happen to be next door to China. Despite considerable evidence to the contrary within the last hundred years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-ukranian-refugees-look-so-well-off/960385.md?page=3)