Russian Brides, Aisle 7 next to the Lo Mein Noodles...
(Hello Gentlemen! Olga (19) from Odessa, Ukraine would like to meet you if you are honest, reliable, like children and puppy dogs, holding hands on the beach, are under 47 years old and you come from a country whose lowest denomination of paper money doesn’t end in more than four zeros.)
Forget oil! I'm beginning to think the most precious untapped natural resource of Russia (and all those other former Soviet countries we just conveniently lump together with Russia because we don’t know any better) may be the seemingly endless supply of beautiful women waiting to pour from the earth ready to make themselves available for export.
Obviously, economics is a factor but there has to be more to this surreal phenomenon than meets the eye. It’s difficult for anyone raised in the United States or other industrialized nation to understand how someone could seriously consider leaving everything they’ve ever known (most of these girls have never even peeked from beyond the former Iron Curtain) to marry a virtual stranger and begin a new life in a land that is completely different in almost every way. Ok, an expected monthly earning potential of an average office worker of $250 is a strong incentive but is it enough? I wanted to explore this deeper.
Results of my painstaking field research contained below:
1. My first interview occurred serendipitously in the States several years ago when I just happened to have a Russian stripper sitting on my lap who for some unknown reason was kind enough to entertain me for several hours. During our engaging conversations about global weather trends and their environmental effects, the economic impact of the EU expansion and whether latex was a good material for thongs, I managed to slip in a few questions I really wanted answered.
“So, what’s this deal about Russian Mail Order Brides? Are they just in it to escape home and then split or are there some who are really serious about staying married?”
Here was her response (for what it’s worth):
There are many who are serious. Though in her case she did it for the Green Card and the opportunity to strip for some REAL money in the US and told the guy right up front her intentions. He thought he could convince her to love him and she rewarded his efforts by divorcing him 2 years later.
She added that one of the reasons why Russians look outward besides the obvious economics is that there are a significantly larger number of women in Russia than men and that it’s a plain numbers game. Also, she stated that Russian men are notoriously cocky (and not the “cool” cocky plus funny we discussed in an earlier post), sometimes cruel and a majority are alcoholics. Women apparently are taught by society to take good care of themselves, dress well and be attentive towards men in order to get one of the few “good ones” out there.
I myself have personally witnessed this phenomenon in other Eastern countries like Latvia, Lithuania and Poland where you see these stunning women dressed immaculately with short, fat guys wearing dirty T-shirts and cheap slip on loafers. (I’m petitioning that Poland’s name should officially be changed to “The Land of Go Figure.”) Bottom line, if you’re a Russian man who has a clue, it’s a buyer’s market.
2. After several intriguing experiences with Russian women while I lived in Italy which would have made a Fellini movie seem like a boring episode of Dr. Phil, I decided to explore in more depth once I arrived in Germany. So, when one wants unbiased, always reliable information without any hidden agendas where does one go? Bingo, the Internet.
One of the better sites had this to say about why Russian women are doing this.
(For the full explanation of the myths vs. realities click here: http://www.kamous.com/translator/s.asp?l=926)
“Russian men just can't make good husbands. Russian men are nice but Russian traditions of family life are not. The objective reasons why Russians can't make good husbands are alcohol abuse, and their poor health conditions.
All have their roots in the society life. Women of 18 years old have no problems with finding appropriate partners of their age, and most of them do. The problems start later. The society and life conditions push men towards alcohol addiction, which cause in its turn problems with health. There are, of course, men who are healthy and take good care of their families, but they usually get married early and stay married.
There is also such a reason as demographic disproportion between men and women. Women outnumber men, and though this difference is not really huge (3-7% according to different issues), it gives a big absolute number of lonely women, who have zero chances to find a life partner. The demographic disproportion also does not take place in the age group 18-25 years old, and starts from the age of 30 and up.
The majority of single women don't consider finding a husband abroad as an option. Even if they can't find a partner in their homeland, they would never leave Russia. Many women who signed up with agencies, do not perform an intensive search and have this way only as one of options. It's particularly true towards young women under 25 years old.”
Well I’ll be smoked herring covered with caviar, the stripper was right!
3. All these “academic” pursuits for the answer to this question of global geo-political importance was all well and good, but what I really needed was to roll my sleeves up and dive head first into the proverbial Clampett cement pond and snatch Jethro's car keys from the bottom. I decided to enroll in a few of these sites and try my luck.
As with everything there is a learning curve. Keep language SIMPLE, even with the "fluent" speakers their English is book learned and they don’t get our crazy American slang (or is it just our poor language usage?). Many other tips to include but that’s beyond the scope of this post.
One of my earliest experiences was with a Romanian who spoke Italian better than English so after a few emails we began speaking on the phone. Within 2 conversations she wanted to talk relationship issues and I asked her innocently, “Don’t you think it would help if we actually met in person first?” My skeptic radar spiked and I broke contact. Within the next month I received a “ha-ha on you” email from her proundly announcing that she was shacking up and moving to Italy with some Italian sucker. Another “crazy” bullet dodged. Bravo, Jason!
Most other correspondence was uninteresting, superficial etc. (just like a normal dating site) until I met Lena from Minsk, Belarus (see nice looking blond in Alfa Romeo from post dated Aug 7th). Ok, I didn’t meet her on a “Marriage” site but rather through Match.com but the idea must be the same. We’ve now met four different times in various “neutral” countries and she has explained to me in excruciating detail how oppressive and depressing life in her country is and that scores of friends her age (26 yrs) are fleeing the country through any means necessary. Her whole story will be unfolded on another post in the future, I’m sure, but suffice to say she’s real, very real and in my opinion a real keeper! Her goal is to leave but on her own terms which she has managed to do through her own ability by receiving a full scholarship for a Master’s program in England.
To complete this abridged version of my own experience I will introduce you finally to Lida (29, see photo below) from Left Pig Intestine (translated from the Russian), Belarus. We are currently in correspondence and here are some excerpts from her last email:
“I am very serious about finding a partner.Someone that I can love and spend the rest of my life with. I feel that love is the greatest gift that a man and a woman can share.”
“It is very difficult to find a good friend in our country especially in little town because the most of our men drink a lot of vodka and I am tired from it and decided to turn to Internet.”
So, dear readers the verdict is still out on all this. More research is required! I’ll keep you posted.
До новых встреч (Until we meet again)
(Hello Lida, welcome to Glamour Shots. You get a free set of wallet size with every five 8x10s you order today.)
Forget oil! I'm beginning to think the most precious untapped natural resource of Russia (and all those other former Soviet countries we just conveniently lump together with Russia because we don’t know any better) may be the seemingly endless supply of beautiful women waiting to pour from the earth ready to make themselves available for export.
Obviously, economics is a factor but there has to be more to this surreal phenomenon than meets the eye. It’s difficult for anyone raised in the United States or other industrialized nation to understand how someone could seriously consider leaving everything they’ve ever known (most of these girls have never even peeked from beyond the former Iron Curtain) to marry a virtual stranger and begin a new life in a land that is completely different in almost every way. Ok, an expected monthly earning potential of an average office worker of $250 is a strong incentive but is it enough? I wanted to explore this deeper.
Results of my painstaking field research contained below:
1. My first interview occurred serendipitously in the States several years ago when I just happened to have a Russian stripper sitting on my lap who for some unknown reason was kind enough to entertain me for several hours. During our engaging conversations about global weather trends and their environmental effects, the economic impact of the EU expansion and whether latex was a good material for thongs, I managed to slip in a few questions I really wanted answered.
“So, what’s this deal about Russian Mail Order Brides? Are they just in it to escape home and then split or are there some who are really serious about staying married?”
Here was her response (for what it’s worth):
There are many who are serious. Though in her case she did it for the Green Card and the opportunity to strip for some REAL money in the US and told the guy right up front her intentions. He thought he could convince her to love him and she rewarded his efforts by divorcing him 2 years later.
She added that one of the reasons why Russians look outward besides the obvious economics is that there are a significantly larger number of women in Russia than men and that it’s a plain numbers game. Also, she stated that Russian men are notoriously cocky (and not the “cool” cocky plus funny we discussed in an earlier post), sometimes cruel and a majority are alcoholics. Women apparently are taught by society to take good care of themselves, dress well and be attentive towards men in order to get one of the few “good ones” out there.
I myself have personally witnessed this phenomenon in other Eastern countries like Latvia, Lithuania and Poland where you see these stunning women dressed immaculately with short, fat guys wearing dirty T-shirts and cheap slip on loafers. (I’m petitioning that Poland’s name should officially be changed to “The Land of Go Figure.”) Bottom line, if you’re a Russian man who has a clue, it’s a buyer’s market.
2. After several intriguing experiences with Russian women while I lived in Italy which would have made a Fellini movie seem like a boring episode of Dr. Phil, I decided to explore in more depth once I arrived in Germany. So, when one wants unbiased, always reliable information without any hidden agendas where does one go? Bingo, the Internet.
One of the better sites had this to say about why Russian women are doing this.
(For the full explanation of the myths vs. realities click here: http://www.kamous.com/translator/s.asp?l=926)
“Russian men just can't make good husbands. Russian men are nice but Russian traditions of family life are not. The objective reasons why Russians can't make good husbands are alcohol abuse, and their poor health conditions.
All have their roots in the society life. Women of 18 years old have no problems with finding appropriate partners of their age, and most of them do. The problems start later. The society and life conditions push men towards alcohol addiction, which cause in its turn problems with health. There are, of course, men who are healthy and take good care of their families, but they usually get married early and stay married.
There is also such a reason as demographic disproportion between men and women. Women outnumber men, and though this difference is not really huge (3-7% according to different issues), it gives a big absolute number of lonely women, who have zero chances to find a life partner. The demographic disproportion also does not take place in the age group 18-25 years old, and starts from the age of 30 and up.
The majority of single women don't consider finding a husband abroad as an option. Even if they can't find a partner in their homeland, they would never leave Russia. Many women who signed up with agencies, do not perform an intensive search and have this way only as one of options. It's particularly true towards young women under 25 years old.”
Well I’ll be smoked herring covered with caviar, the stripper was right!
3. All these “academic” pursuits for the answer to this question of global geo-political importance was all well and good, but what I really needed was to roll my sleeves up and dive head first into the proverbial Clampett cement pond and snatch Jethro's car keys from the bottom. I decided to enroll in a few of these sites and try my luck.
As with everything there is a learning curve. Keep language SIMPLE, even with the "fluent" speakers their English is book learned and they don’t get our crazy American slang (or is it just our poor language usage?). Many other tips to include but that’s beyond the scope of this post.
One of my earliest experiences was with a Romanian who spoke Italian better than English so after a few emails we began speaking on the phone. Within 2 conversations she wanted to talk relationship issues and I asked her innocently, “Don’t you think it would help if we actually met in person first?” My skeptic radar spiked and I broke contact. Within the next month I received a “ha-ha on you” email from her proundly announcing that she was shacking up and moving to Italy with some Italian sucker. Another “crazy” bullet dodged. Bravo, Jason!
Most other correspondence was uninteresting, superficial etc. (just like a normal dating site) until I met Lena from Minsk, Belarus (see nice looking blond in Alfa Romeo from post dated Aug 7th). Ok, I didn’t meet her on a “Marriage” site but rather through Match.com but the idea must be the same. We’ve now met four different times in various “neutral” countries and she has explained to me in excruciating detail how oppressive and depressing life in her country is and that scores of friends her age (26 yrs) are fleeing the country through any means necessary. Her whole story will be unfolded on another post in the future, I’m sure, but suffice to say she’s real, very real and in my opinion a real keeper! Her goal is to leave but on her own terms which she has managed to do through her own ability by receiving a full scholarship for a Master’s program in England.
To complete this abridged version of my own experience I will introduce you finally to Lida (29, see photo below) from Left Pig Intestine (translated from the Russian), Belarus. We are currently in correspondence and here are some excerpts from her last email:
“I am very serious about finding a partner.Someone that I can love and spend the rest of my life with. I feel that love is the greatest gift that a man and a woman can share.”
“It is very difficult to find a good friend in our country especially in little town because the most of our men drink a lot of vodka and I am tired from it and decided to turn to Internet.”
So, dear readers the verdict is still out on all this. More research is required! I’ll keep you posted.
До новых встреч (Until we meet again)
(Hello Lida, welcome to Glamour Shots. You get a free set of wallet size with every five 8x10s you order today.)
posted by EuroSnob | 2:44 PM
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