After reading posts for the past couple of months, I know that nothing compares to actually going to FSU.
I know I have wasted some time writing emails to photos on the internet.
However, I think there is some value to it. I have kept to my age group, 35+ I write to who I think has the same value system.
I write to those who talk of a normal life, everyday pleasures, little things. No pie in the sky scenarios. No talk of love in the first letter. No money asked for or sent.
I have narrowed it down to 4 or 5 who I want to meet. So now I turn to planning my trip in the next 6 months.
I work with a small agency in a small market in Russia. I know they rely on letters for their income but I like working with them.
I've spent a lot on such letters. Oh well, I have spent much more here going out. I do get a reality check from my Russian teacher on a weekly basis. At first she always said, "Russian woman leaving for American man is not to be trusted!" Now she has softened a little saying, "Maybe God will help you find a good Russian wife." Gee thanks teach for the motivation... So my question is, Am I fooling myself? Or am I one of those who you see come and go on this forum, someone who gives you guys a good laugh?
Duromin, beemer...developing a social network is probably the best way to go but I'm one of those you mentioned...I'm only going to commit to a couple of trips.
jetmba...socials may be O.K. but doesn't feel right to me...how many have you attended?
Others...what path did you take to find someone? Did anyone go the agency route with success?
Jetmba: Happy with deeming me an idiot. You are simply another of the many who will make a few trips, tell a few war stories, try to sound knowledgeable and in the end achieve nothing of value. Carry on.........
I've attended 2 sets of Romance Social. And I met one special woman at each. (Why only one? Because when everything is RIGHT - I stop pursuing others!).
I became engaged to a Moldovan I mat at a Romance Social in Odessa in 2003. After three years something negative happened and we broke up. (Remember these are REAL women. Sometimes things don't go perfectly.) So in 2006 I went to Doenstk/Mariupol and met another incredible lady. We have been together for two years but AGAIN - being human (both of us) there have been a few problems.
"However, I think there is some value to it. I have kept to my age group, 35+"
Texas....what would you do if ages were not in profile? what would you do if you met a girl on street?...ask her for her age?? Age is just a small part in what you look for...to me interests, values and personality rate much much higher. At same time you do have to look at yourself, got to have a lot going for yourself or to offer, other than money of course.
Everyone has things to add Dunromin and although I havnt agreed with everything Jet has said or (the same for you)done I have picked up alot as well. Its the information in total from everyone thats adds up and helps. You yourself have married one lady same as me? This dosnt make either you or I a expert
in Russian women or women in general they are all different from person to person. Anyone who tells hes a expert on women is crazy.(Id actually think the socials are a good idea although I have never attended any but any gathering where like minded individuals meets surely has a higher chance of success)
You're right, interests, values and personality is more important than age.
O.K. you've convinced me...I will not pass up the opportunity for happiness if it presents itself in the form of a 20 year old!
....as to having a lot to offer....I think that is true for anyone searching anywhere for a woman of quality.
Colin: Expert? X being the unknown quantity and a spurt being a drip under pressure. Very happy not to qualify. What I find wrong is someone who is demonstrating themselves as a chronic failure attempting to imply they know how most FSU women think. Further basing that supposed knowledge on what he has learned from socials, a minority representation. Personally, I have nothing against socials but to suggest the women who attend them are indicative of the thinking of most is blatently misleading. My contention remains the same, most FSU women are not interested in leaving. There is no credible evidence to the contrary.
Texasdude: Our learned friend is getting his panties all in a wad because he has had realities he doesn't want to believe pointed out. He, like you, needs to be mindful he doesn't end up with a retired hooker. His claim to know the differences between Russian and Ukraine thinking ensures he has spent little if any time in Russia. If he had and then spent as much time in Ukraine as he claims, he would understand there is about 2 kopecks of difference between the two peoples.
The truth about socials is that a fair amount of the guys who use them are misfits in one way or another. They might be rich (or pretending to be) in any case... flash a few dollar in some towns in Ukraine and you can be mistaken for being rich anyway.
That's what most westerners going to Ukraine use to get the meat.
Let's not kid ourselves, these girls wouldn't give you time of day if you weren't paying for it.
They go along to see what's what on the off-chance.
Dunromin is right. They don't want to leave.
Your contention was, as you stated over and over again, (and as you are now trying to slither away from) that women had to be PAID to attend a Romance Socials. You are and were DEAD WRONG. And now you slyly try to suggest you really MEANT something else.
Whether or not MOST FSU women are interested in leaving the country is ALSO not the issue here as - I don't intend to take MOST of the FSU women FROM their native country. That would be a bit ambitious. All that I am interested in is finding ONE (and I have been quite successful already).
The fact is that women go to Romance Socials in order to meet foreign guys to perhaps fprm a long term relationship with and YES to relocate.
That you happened to find an unfortunate Russian lady dumb enough to marry you - certainly makes you no expert on Russian or Ukranian women. And there is MORE than kopecks worth of difference between women in eastern Ukraine versus western Ukraine, not to mention the HUGE differences between those in Ukraine and Russia.
You are an overfilled balloon stuffed with arrogance and ignorance and not much else.
Jetmba: You’re a funny guy. This overfilled balloon has continued to present reality to you and as you continue to refuse to face it you continue to have successfully achieved nothing. If you had any level of class you would avoid resorting to name calling and insults in a feeble attempt to make a point. Such is for the scum level, please yourself if you want to continue demonstrate yourself in that category, thus far it is rather unbecoming.
Please show me where I wrote women HAD to paid to attend socials? Search away. I said somethig quite different and you failed (Again, failure seems to be the only thing you succeed at) to grap it. Let’s set the record straight seeing as you are unable to read and your blind temper causes you to spout off without thinking. Calm down for a moment. You initially took issue with my pointing out that most women don't want to leave the FSU. Then you attempted to justify your ignorant stance with evidence you have gleaned from socials. The most notoriously dirty and corrupted aspect of this whole pursuit (Maybe that is news to you, but it isn't to those of us who have been around for a while). That was the point I directed you to the folly of your information base. Your main problem and probably a significant reason you have failed to find someone to share your life with in all your efforts is your lack of comprehension skills.
I am more than happy for you to maintain your stance of disagreement with my view as your clear lack of substance attached to anything you put forward on this subject in and of itself would validate my view. Not that I need to, I have been there and done what you hopelessly imagine you might. Stick with your socials. My level was always far above that, so it is understandable we are on two different wave lengths. A result I find altogether comfortable.
If you think I don't understand the differences between West Ukraine, East Ukraine, the Baltic’s, Russia, Siberia and a few other FSU areas, you are very much mistaken (Again). The point was and is that regardless of where in these areas, there is very little difference when it comes to idealistic thinking which is one of the very key factors which does affect how these women form decisions. You should spend less time watching CNN and the like and more time doing some reading of history.
I have found someone dumb enough to marry me? LOL. Astute point. Perhaps this is why you are continually failing? You haven't found anyone stupid enough to marry you because in general the FSU women are not that stupid? You're quite a funny guy and I have no doubt you serve good entertainment value at your socials. BTW, I am no expert on this subject, I have learned just a little bit along the way, yet another thing you seem to have failed at. Get over yourself, you are full of hot air with nothing substantial to show for your efforts. Your example is demonstrating to others what NOT to do, unless of course they want to be able to call on a list of failed relationships as you seem to do quite regularly.
At a social let's say there are 100 girls and 15 guys? I guess you go around like speed dating? Hell, I can do that here...without the interpreter.
I may be way wrong but this has been my approach. After writing letters for awhile I think I have weeded out those who are not for me. By email, sms, phone, photos, video and time I think I have found 4 or 5 I really want to meet. Yeah, it's money but really not that much. I think it gives me a head start that I wouldn't have by attending a social. Yeah, I'm just a keyboard romeo at this point. That's a fair statement but I decided it's time to "sh*t or get off the pot" and I am now getting serious and going to see this through. Don't misunderstand, this is not the last act of a desperate man...far from it...it's just an avenue I have decided is worth exploring.
Beemer....
Point well taken about not letting age be a factor. But I think that life experience, knowledge and wisdom comes with age. For example, I played college basketball. After leaving I played in leagues wherever I lived. I coached and was a referee. By 30, my game was much better than when I was 18. Was I a better athlete at 30? No way! But I was a better player, better scorer, better passer, better teammate and I understood the game better. So if I have the choice between a 30-40 year old and a 20-30 year old. I'll take the former, every time.
Dunromin I think is right...Do they really want to leave? When I have pressed some about leaving home/family/country/culture and pinned them down, they really never considered it seriously! Now that is one of the first things I ask....have you really thought about leaving Russia and why? If they are not very clear on this then I move on.
Thanks for the advice and feedback boys...it's appreciated.
"Colin: Expert? X being the unknown quantity and a spurt being a drip under pressure. Very happy not to qualify. "
Oh! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Woooooh! That was FUNNY! So FUNNY! Woooooh! Ha-ha-ha-ha! And SO CLEVER.
But what would more properly describe you dunromin?
DONE as in finished and RAMEN as in noodles. So you're basically cooked noodles. Just ready to try and hang on someone's ears.
(To those not familiar - There is a Russian expression that says "Don't hang noodles on my ears." It basically means "Stop handing me bullshit." of the same type that dunromin likes to spread. If truly he HAS a Russian wife - I'm sure he's heard that expression A LOT>)
They don't want to leave for me?...Mmm... you seem pretty sure about that.
Maybe I should re-think my strategy.
What worked for you? 7 years on socials?
Texas...I see your point in speaking about experience coming with age. Let me give you another example like one you gave me. True, at 30 your game was much better than at 18 but what you failed to mention is those 23-25 year old players are going right around you and dunking the ball every time!! Your experience should tell you that you are too old now.....your sound mind tells your body to move but your reflexes are slowed.
I never told you to look for 20yr olds, I don't, but I have found the ones in 24-32 range are quite interesting. Enjoy!!!
Hey Kirk....are you in cohoots with bassuk? What is it with this 7 year thing? Is it like the 7 year itch?
You SAID (and I quote) "If you have attended a social, you have kept the company of someone paid to do so. Goodness you are humorous, quoting AFA and A-Web as reliable agents, which they are on your behalf if you visit their socials. They pay girls (Get a clue, in some cases, hookers) to attend socials. "
The first sentence is quite clear "If you have attended a social, you have kept the company of someone paid to do so." Thats quite all inclusive. Since you have no idea which or how man girls I kept the company of - its quite clear that you are saying that ALL of the women at Romance Socials are PAID to attend.
In the last sentence above you concede that not ALL are neccesarily HOOKERS - but the meaning of your statement is wuite clear - that ALL of the girls who attend the Romance Socials are PAID.
BOTH of my relationships with FSU women are still going strong - while yours must be failing (else why are you here?) since you clearly have no understanding of Russians of their culture.
You ARE an overstuffed balloon filled with arrogance and ignorance. You make it more clear with every post.
And you also have some weasle like tendencies as demostrated by your attempt to sneak out of your earlier claim.