The above link, (Hope it works for you) is IMHO worth a look for those who have never been to Russia or other parts of the FSU. Don't take it as universal. It is not, but it will give the newer guys a realistic idea of normal life for many FSU women. Of course cities/towns and women vary vastly from area to area, but if you havn't seen anything, it might help you to understand a little.
I posted this on another board and it lit up like a vegas neon. All the usual dumbass analysis of the lady and so forth. I give no opinion on the lady or her city (I don't know who she is, but yes I did figure out which city, because there is one unique little clue in there) but the new guys should understand that the Russian woman whom you are most likely to meet for a real realtionship will be much more like this girl than some of the glossy shots you will see on web profiles. Ay Reality Check..!!!
Other things to watch for. Check her comments about a "Worthy Man", age differences, children, keeping house, working, staying home with children etc. Again, IMHO this clip is worth far more than 1000 Bio's on web profiles. It does not reprasent all FSU women, but it is a good starting point and the city scape could be anywhere from Bucharest to Vladivostok and 100 cities in between.
Go look, Go figure............I hope you get something out of it.
A very pleasant dark haired young lady going about her everday day exisistence in a typical run down suburb. Not all towns in fsu look like this shit hole though. Kharkov , Kiev and some others are in my opinion very nice towns.
Some spoilt brats in rich western countries could do with living the same conditions for a few months as the lady in the video here. The likes of Paris hilton and even Brittany spears could learn a thing or 2 with this reality check.
Just FWIW, the clip is shot in one of the more progessive provincial cities in the FSU. Yes it ain't the top end of town:-) but the main part of that particular city is very nice. V/M you are right in part, but although the likes of St P, Moscow, Kiev etc are nice cities, that clip could well be shot in severla suburbs of any of those cities also. That's the irony of the FSU.
That having been said, I expected worse. Anyone who hasn't seen a LOT worse hasn't been to some of the places I've visited over the years. Been almost anyplace in Mexico ? South America ? Africa ? That having been said, I could show you places in the USA that are a LOT worse. Anyone been to Camden, New Jersey in the last 30 years ? (For those who aren't familiar, Camden looks a lot like photographs you've seen of Berlin, Germany a week or so after World War II). This town in Russia is a pretty big step-up from a place like Camden. Or how about a place like Colon, Panama. I was worried about catching a disease in the place, just from walking the sidewalk.
I'm wondering how a gal like this deals with the issue of "abundance" when she arrives in the US. I'd be afraid she might faint dead away on the floor the moment she walks into the local Wal-Mart Super Center. Home Depot or Stop-N-Shop.
The apartment was certain ultilitarian enough. I've seen that awful ugly 1940s vintage wallpaper in all too many photographs. I don't think this gal is going to have a problem with "coziness" in suburban America.
In spite of the apparent hardship, I rather liked the gal. I thought she rather recognizes in herself that indeed she has something to offer. I have to offer her my applause for the courage to make that video.
Van the Man:
Forget about Paris Hilton being taken down a few notches, how about the average American suburban princess who isn't happy because the leather seats in her brand new SUV aren't heated ?
The lady in the clip comes across to me as "Normal". On other boards, some said "Typical", I don't agree. I thought she exibits a quaint shyness and modesty along with a good deal of courage. She is obviously no actor and had to work hard to go through all that.
I got the distinct impression that she knows what she wants and it will take much more than "Joe Average Smuck" to win her heart and convince her that he is worthy of her leaving friends and family to start a new life in another country. She may or may not be physically attractive to some, but I suggest the guy who wins her will be a very fortunate.
Before you start thinking about American suburban coziness, you've got to come to one conclusion. This is the life they know and how they have lived, it is normal to them. Walmart won't shock them, as you can see in many cities like Mariupol, updated and western style supermarkets. Though I wish in American we had small bars in our shopping marts, would make shopping much more pleasant.
I agree with the comments above, I think if some American women came to live, where my wife came from, it would truly grant them a new outlook on life. My wife was looking for a good man, love,affection and attention not worldy things. Though the statement is true above, when you win their hearts, it's the most incredible love you will ever experience. Just don't
screw them over. They reciprocate 10 fold of what you give them. It truly astonishes me to this day.
Watching a movie is fine, but you must go there and truly experience it. Until your plane actuallys touches down in an FSU country will you begin to experience something many people never will.
One of the great ironies of this is we tell everyone how smart these ladies of ours are, but I guess they can't be too smart, because they were silly enough to choose the likes of you and I :-) (Touch of chop busting here)
I agree wholeheartedly that you will never know if you never go, but I hope that clip helps prepare some for the realities.
Onother irony of that clip is that within about 3oo yards walk of the markets she was shopping in is one of the more modern multi level shopping centres one will find anywhere in the world. Someone referred tot he city as a shithole and it would be easy enough to be suckered into thinking so. The city is actually one of the few in Russia which in the central part is very westernised with wide streets and large multi level shpping centres.
For anyone who has been around Russia a little, they should pick the city if they ahve been there by the style of security screen on the little streets side shop she walks into. There is something quite unique about it.:-) (It is the same all over the city)
Nevertheless and regardless, new guys, take a close look and the eyeopening on arrival up there will not be so great. :-) Just remember, whether you like the girl in the clip or not, "Wives" are more like her than some of the glossys in the web windows.
The tone of your oomments seem to be trying to diminish expectations, i.e. "Wives are more like her than some of the glossys ..."
I have to confess, I rather thought she was a good catch. One could argue about looks, but clearly she was "on the ball." She has a job, an education, was well dressed, her expectations seemed well reasoned, she exhibited some industry. She certainly isn't interested in sitting around all day watching talk shows about the dysfunctional on the tube.
You bring out the exact points I am hinting at. This is IMHO a woman of natural class. Half the glossys you see on the web windows are all tits and arse. Notice her classy modesty all the way. No I am not trying to diminish expectations of the women, although I can understand you drawing that conclusion from my comments, I am actually trying to subtly hint (Yeah yeah I/O subtle..Right..!!) that many of the guys who make the trip will have to lift their game quite seriously if they want to find "Wife Material".
You are dead right, she is right on the ball and "Joe Smuck" is going to be way out of his league when he meets up with this lady. But doesn't it impress when you see a lady as on the ball and as sharp as this and what is missing? That ballsy so called confidence that we are used to in the west. Most think they know who they are and what they want. This Lady DOES know who she is and what she wants and still highlights being a woman whom any decent man should be proud to have as his.
BTW if anyone understands Russian language they would pick up that she has a very quick sense of humour also and is quite capable of have a joke at her own expense. They are beggers for keeping a dead straight face when they make a joke.........Gaaaaaaaaawd years in and I still don't always pick it LOL. I ahte that...!!! :-)
You're dead on with respect to the confidence issue. My sense is that a gal that sharp will be running circles around most American women in six months once the English skills improve.
Again, you are on the money. Joe Lunchpail with the Budweiser T-shirt hanging out at the local tavern isn't going to cut the mustard with this babe. And why should it. I think she has a lot on the ball.
Perhaps the commentary should shift from what expectations we have of the Russian women to what expectations we are going to have to have of ourselves.
I am a newbie to fiance.com and to the whole Russian lady thing. I registered about 11 days ago. I have been reading the message board for about 2 or 3 days and I wish I had started sooner. You all (not y'all) have some good things to say and information I know/knew nothing about.
About me: I am divorced with kids and I saw a documentary about russian brides a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a try. I am looking for true love, a real family future and a good mother and I am not building a profile of "Mr. Wonderful," I am trying to be honest so as not to be a disappointment if anything develops.
I am looking for help and info. from you(z) guys(z) so as to make my experience better and more genuine.
Now...a few questions from the newbie: Why fiance.com instead of looking for a woman from our own country? (Keep in mind I am using the service and receiving and sending letters, I am not being negative, just curious.)
How many women to correspond with at once? Do they "talk" around the agency and should I keep to one per town?
I am not looking to correspond with many, many women at once, but some of the letters I receive really seem to deserve an answer and I like the profile as well as the letter.
I have never been to FSR. Am I at a big disadvantage??
I know many Czech people and families. I know no Russians at all. Is there a big market for Russian ladies because of the severity of the whole USSR thing, because I do not see the same market for other former behind the curtain country women?
Teach me guys, I want to learn from your experience(s).
I feel russian women make better wifes. Russians are more clasy and more conservative than american women. American women also don't respect their husbands.
I/O,
honestly I don't see so many tits'n'ass in the photos of the ladies in this website. On the contrary, I find that most girls succeed in looking attractive - those who are - without exposing a large expanse of their curvaceous segments. If you really wanna see tits and arse, check out www.brides-in-bikini.com (!!!)