It just struck how similar in spelling the word Fiance is to Finance.
How strange that some women confuse the two different terms when looking for a fiance mistaking them for finance. :)
While I certainly want to be scammed no more than the next man and I understand that such things are a great problem in that it seems to be socially acceptable and even admirable to scam certain western men as some sort of great reconciliation for past missed economic opportunity - it seems to me that some of us go too far to the point of being "cheap" when looking for a Russian woman. Remember we all do (for the most part anyway) come from economies that are doing better than those of the FSU. And in the great mix of things that we bring to the table in the hope of winning a Russian woman, the economic advantage is certainly a part (hopefully a small part) of what may make her leave perhaps friends and family to join us in a union. Many times she offers a younger age, a better figure, a bette education, an intellectual openness that appeals to us becasue we can't find that in typical available American women. In the same way, even those of us with modest incomes, may offer economic and other opportunities to her that make us more appealing. I bring this up because I know of guys who get upset when the number of telephone calls back and forth are not completely equal - guys who think that the value and number of gifts should always be reciprocal, guys who think that if she wanted to she could come to the US and visit them just as easy as he could visit her. Face it. While scammers are the scum of the earth - when dealing with a real live Russian woman we have to be realistic and giving once in a while. After all you are looking for someone who should be worth everything to you if she becomes your wife. But cheap is as cheap does - and maybe that is why some of us haven't been successful with American women and are looking to foreign shores.
If you are will in make this incredible expense then, of your heart and time - then why the qualm with a few bucks? (The least expensive of the three according to your argument.) And if materialism matters not with the right person - then why not be willing to share some of your "meterial" if she asks. (You said "it matters not.") Seems to me that if you really want to get something that does matter out of the deal (like maybe the love of your life) giving up something that "doesn't matter" shouldn't be a problem.
I'm not complaining about a few bucks.
However, there is an old addage than equally applies: 'A fool and his money are soon parted'
In a little over 3 days, I have over 100 leads and will invest my 'time' in those that I consider worthwhile, the ones with character, personality and something genuine to offer. I know from experience that real women want your love first over any present and materialism for me is a criteria that puts you straight into the trash can.
I don't plan to buy someone's affections, I know I am worth more than that. :)
However, with the right person they should have it all...but not the 100 along the way!
A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
-Oscar Wilde, from Lady Windermere's Fan
But perhaps we are looking at things from a different perspective. I would never spend money on each of 100 leads I gathered (I assume from an ad you have placed?). 100 of the even the best quality leads will result in a bit of chaff as you find the people who are real (those who even really exist) and those who are legimately really of interest to you. My commentary about not being afraid to spend money occurs afterward. After you have met her in person and are considering her seriously. I met several terrific prospects while visiting Odessa. Interestingly enough, two of the best had taken 6 hour bus rides from Moldova to meet me. It is at this point that I am willing to spend a little money.
I haven't placed an Ad, I've just been busy, typing fasssst, differentiating between what is real and virtual, who are serious and who are not.
The commitment in giving their 'time' and enduring a lengthy ride, speaks volumes about the type of person that we can both appreciate as likely being at the top of the ladder. All in all, three's been a lot of positive feedback not just from the girls but the forum too and I'm sure my day will come when I need to call upon the experience of someone who's gone through the process of meeting their electronic sweethearts.