Race in Russia and Ukraine.

[Terryrnz]

Okay so I've travelled through Europe before and some of Eastern Europe backpacking when I was in my 20s, I'm 32 now live in Australia from NZ, signed up to a Russian dating site etc. I've been talking to a few ladies one in Crimea 2 in Ukraine for some months now and they all seem to want me to visit them sometime soon which isn't an issue for me my only reservation is race, I have olive complexion  I'm half white and half New Zealand Maori. Hasn't been discussed  and doesn't seem to be issue with whom I'm
Talking to but I keep hearing conflicting stories about Russian and Ukrainian women not being interested in non caucasians. Pics attached any input would be appreciated:)

[Terryrnz]

Pic

[Terryrnz]

Pic

[ML]

I think, just based on your skin coloring alone, you will not be rejected by many FSU gals.

Most everyone looks a little better with some suntan . . . and you have it naturally.

So go for it.

Note:  I just had my wife look at your picture, and she agreed with my assessment.

But one problem you may have is when you insist on doing everything 'Up-side-down.'

[ML]

Oh wait . . . I just enlarged your one pic and saw your plethora of tats.

You are dead in the water.

[Terryrnz]

Really , I have had neck and hand tattoos removed since these were taken and the tattoos have not been an issue for anyone I've talked to online. Maybe an issue for some women but not all  just like women in any country in the world I suppose.

[tfcrew]

Maybe an issue for some women but not all  just like women in any country in the world I suppose.

There is a stigma with Russians that tattoos mean that someone must have been in the gulag at some time.
I personally never cared for them.
Also piercings ....tongue studs, earrings, chest studs, ears etc......nahhhh

[Nightwish]

well..... if you ask someone under the age of 50 here (and there) you will get a totally different answer, Tattoos in both Ukraine and Russia are becoming as usual as in the western world with the younger generation (unfortunately)

So no,  its not the stigma it once was..

[tfcrew]

well..... if you ask someone under the age of 50 here (and there) you will get a totally different answer, Tattoos in both Ukraine and Russia are becoming as usual as in the western world with the younger generation (unfortunately)

So no,  its not the stigma it once was..

It is with parents.
As mentioned..the fiftyish people still associate tats with hooliganism.
So Natasha would have to introduce the illustrated man to Momma?
I've heard about this and it doesn't go well.

Nightwish... taken over ten trips & you are 'still looking' ? 

[Nightwish]

It is with parents.
As mentioned..the fiftyish people still associate tats with hooliganism.
So Natasha would have to introduce the illustrated man to Momma?
I've heard about this and it doesn't go well.

Nightwish... taken over ten trips & you are 'still looking'[/i] ? 

yes there is no option that says Trips: > 20 and Looking again

and for your other comment, well they would have accepted the trampstamp on Natasha, so why would they mind the man to have tats?

You really have no idea how the younger generation in those two countries are now do you? They have embraced everything western and tattoos are one of these things..

[Boethius]

Terry, there are lots of Ukrainians who are darker than you.  So, I wouldn't worry too much about it.


A neck tattoo would still be a problem in Ukraine, the sleeves, not so much.  But, it's a class thing as well.

[tfcrew]

You really have no idea how the younger generation in those two countries are now do you? They have embraced everything western and tattoos are one of these things..

If you glance at a selection from our sponsor ..........
http://www.cuteonly.com/girls/18-22/
& I have and there are hundreds of photos of ladies 18-22 and I don't see a single one with a tattoo.
Look, I'm no prude.
I acknowledge a 'Gothic' style Russian culture of course but darn few are on these dating sites
On Mamba perhaps...?
 

[Nightwish]

If you glance at a selection from our sponsor ..........
http://www.cuteonly.com/girls/18-22/
& I have and there are hundreds of photos of ladies 18-22 and I don't see a single one with a tattoo.
Look, I'm no prude.
I acknowledge a 'Gothic' style Russian culture of course but darn few are on these dating sites
On Mamba perhaps...?

I am talking about average girls in the average city (well bigger cities), most of them have quite tasteful ones, a small one on the shoulder or the wrist, a "tramp-stamp" or a cute little one in the bikini line..  I am not saying EVERYONE has one, but it has become very common, more so then I thought.

And one stroll around Odessas beaches this last summer, I would say 1 out of 3 had a tattoo in that agegroup, yes very much more common in 18-25 then over, but I have met a couple of 35+ that had them, and I am not meeting the "gothic type".

One very very common, is if they have a child is too have their name tattooed on their body..

[Boethius]

That's very different from a neck tattoo.  I've never seen one on a UM, though I wasn't specifically looking.

[Nightwish]

That's very different from a neck tattoo.  I've never seen one on a UM, though I wasn't specifically looking.

where did I talk about neck tattoos? I am quite sure I wasn't specific on where they where located in my original post, I didn't talk about flaming skulls on the cheeks either?
Anything more I didn't talk about?

and I have seen neck tattoos on UM, but then maybe I was just paying attention.

[Boethius]

The OP has a neck tattoo.  That is what was referred to in ML's post.  He says he has had it removed, but if it is visible, it will be a problem.

I have not seen a neck tattoo on any normal UM.  On local criminals, yes.  I don't stay in hotels, I stay in a working class neighbourhood when there.

Why are you checking out men, in any event?

[Nightwish]

Oh wait . . . I just enlarged your one pic and saw your plethora of tats.

You are dead in the water.

Now I am not fluent in English, but I am pretty sure plethora doesn't mean neck...

That's very different from a neck tattoo.  I've never seen one on a UM, though I wasn't specifically looking.

The OP has a neck tattoo.  That is what was referred to in ML's post.  He says he has had it removed, but if it is visible, it will be a problem.

I have not seen a neck tattoo on any normal UM.  On local criminals, yes.  I don't stay in hotels, I stay in a working class neighbourhood when there.


Why are you checking out men, in any event?

So now it went from I've never seen one on a UM  to  I have not seen a neck tattoo on any normal UM.  On local criminals, yes.

Local criminals aren't men? They are all women? mm good to know, all men looking.. beware..

Whats wrong checking out the local competition? But no I have just been there a lot, met a lot of different people, locals, friends, and friends of friends and relatives to some of the women I have dated. 

[tfcrew]

Now I am not fluent in English, but I am pretty sure plethora doesn't mean neck...

 

It means 'abundant' [usually]

[wallm]

I had been told by Ukrainians that not being Caucasian is a disadvantage but not a lost cause. there are plenty of ladies from FSU who marry Asians for example. I still think your chances are slightly less compared to Caucasians. You can make up the deficit however with your personality, money and whatever else the ladies like. Good luck.

[Boethius]

He looks pretty Caucasian to me.  As I posted, there are a lot of native Ukrainians darker than he is.

[Boethius]

Local criminals aren't men? They are all women? mm good to know, all men looking.. beware..

Whats wrong checking out the local competition? But no I have just been there a lot, met a lot of different people, locals, friends, and friends of friends and relatives to some of the women I have dated.

Local criminals are a very, very small minority of men, and not ones that normal women are interested in marrying.


As for local competition, you are not competing with local men.

[Nightwish]

Local criminals are a very, very small minority of men, and not ones that normal women are interested in marrying.


As for local competition, you are not competing with local men.

And that is a giant load of bullcrap.. to be completely honest.

or said in a nicer way - I do not agree with you on that statement..

[Boethius]

You are not competing with local men.  If you didn't have a higher income, a foreign passport to a desirable country, or were not chasing women local men usually ignore, you would have no chance there.  No matter what you tell yourself.

[Belvis]

I have not seen a neck tattoo on any normal UM.  On local criminals, yes.  I don't stay in hotels, I stay in a working class neighbourhood when there.

I have to agree with Boethius. A neck tattoo is reserved for criminals, mainly, and marginal youth subcultures in FSU society. Such a tattoo may form a some negative bias at first encounter, though not a deal breaker.
Olive skin as at the photos is not the issue, at all. I would say FSU gal will pay more attention to how the poster dressed. Nice classic suit can balance to some extent the impression from tatoos.

[Boethius]

Here is an archetypal Ukrainian man -







And this one, from Western Ukraine -





And these guys, also from Western Ukraine -






I've seen much darker Ukrainians from Central Ukraine, with very olive skin, dark brown or green eyes, and black hair. 

[Terryrnz]

Cheers for the input, neck and hand tattoos have been laser removed now so,.., and technically I'm not Caucasian half New Zealand Maori and my mum is white, there's a large New Zealand community here in Australia, kind of Spanish looking id say, just thought I'd ask first,.thanks for your help 

[Nat]

Here is an archetypal Ukrainian man -



And this one, from Western Ukraine -

These two are no way considered to be sexy men, these are for grandmas   "Ocean Elsy" - yep, they are a type of what's considered to be appealing now
Tattoos are really popular among young people now - although being covered with them does imply that the person has kind of bad taste.
Speaking of race, I guess it's kinda different here, because we don't consider such men as TS a person of color. If your're a totally black guy, an Arab, an Indian or a Chinese/Japanese, for example, this is gonna be an issue with most girls, although there are some who will consider this to be an interesting and intriguing feature   Speaking of half-Hispanic or half-Maori, nobody cares, actually, it adds up to nice appearance, so why not? ))))

[Boethius]

I didn't say they were attractive, just that they are archetypes.

[Jumper]

Beo is correct on the neck tatts.
Very much associated with a criminal element.


I'm likely as dark as TS, and have tatts (not on hands or neck  )
  Nyet problem in general.
I'd say that it could be a slight issue with some women or a certain society class, but not a general big problem at all at TS age and who he is likely to meet.

[BillyB]

My MIL asked me on my first visit to her daughter if I had any tattoos. I said "no". Later I found out if I answered "yes", she'd tell her daughter to dump me.

[ML]

My MIL asked me on my first visit to her daughter if I had any tattoos. I said "no".

What about the one on your d!ck that says 'Little.'

Do you know the rest of the humor ?

[Jumper]

My MIL asked me on my first visit to her daughter if I had any tattoos. I said "no". Later I found out if I answered "yes", she'd tell her daughter to dump me.

While close minded, likely a very typical outlook in FSU parents.

As a educated doctor I'd both expect that, and conversely expect she be more open minded.
 The tattoo could be a SSN,or seriel number on your rib cage since dog tags don't always stay in place.
Or a number of silly reasons from a prior decade in your life .

But yes I'd agree the stereotype is for a reason on both sides of the equation.

[BillyB]

I never asked my MIL but I have a feeling she feels tattoos are associated with the criminal element. Times changes but not everybody changes with the times. My wife asked what I would think if she got a tattoo. I don't know if it was a serious or trick question but my answer would still be the same. I told her tattoos may look ugly on her in the future and that her body is beautiful and I wouldn't want it altered. I myself have no tattoos or piercings but I don't hold it against others if they do.

[BC]

I have a bit darker skin tone passed down from Portuguese ancestors.  Somehow I fit in.. In Turkey I'm often mistaken for a Turk, even stopped at the border leaving one time because they thought I was evading military service using a stolen passport.  Across the med recognized as anything but American. In Russia have been asked for directions fairly often.. they seemed surprised at my faltering answers in basic Russian.  As far as your ethnicity and skin tone goes, shouldn't be a big deal.  Regarding your tats, well some like 'em, some not,  like everywhere.  There's a lid for every jar out there... might be harder to find but hey, why not try.  Skype a lot to get reactions up front.

[Ludmila]

Depends on the social status of the prospective fiance. If the girl isn't refined, she may like it. It is unlikely that a highly educated gal with a status in society will welcome it. May be a deal breaker. That said, I know a lady, a young lawyer, who wouldn't mind it at all. She is a goth, too. Thinks that legal profession is boring and confessed once she wants to have sex on a grave :-)

[BillyB]

confessed once she wants to have sex on a grave :-)

I dated a Ukrainian woman in Seattle. I asked her where she wanted to go on one of our dates. She wanted to go for a nice walk through a cemetery. We sat on a bench in front of a mausoleum and made out. If it weren't for the groundskeeper driving around, we may have done more. I like pleasing women. If I were single and met your lawyer friend, I may have made her dream come true too.