What draws you to the forums?

[CanadaMan]

I'm a curious type of guy. I believe that there are stereotypes who post to forums all over the WWW.
I'd like to get a feel for how people view themselves here at RWD.
This should be an interesting poll, if people are honest with themselves.

[XMan]

The UW/RW vortex sucked me in.  No wait, it was Spartacus.  He led me here. 

Seriously, though....
1) I think I've done more Q&A than anything else.  Extremely helpful to me.  Getting suggestions or concrete answers to questions is like striking gold.  Or at least high grade silver. 
2) It's also interesting to read differing opinions / viewpoints, as long as it stays relatively civil. 
3) There are "Ah Ha!" moments -- things I never thought of, or had not looked at in a certain way or particular light. 
4) Pitfall awareness, if not avoidance.
5) Venting.  I think everyone needs it once in a while. 

[Misha]

Voted other. When my wife was going through a very bad case of culture shock, I needed somewhere to chat with people who were going through something similar. I couldn't exactly share this with friends and family as they would have told me that it would have been best for me simply not to marry a woman from Russia.

[RussianWind]

Let's be honest, I find this forum extremely boring in general and do not read most of posters' essays (I have no idea why you can't express your thoughts in a shorter way, it is a forum, not a blog afterall  )

I visit this place just because I am interested in the other side of view on international dating, men side, as I know motivations of girls pretty well.

I find it amazing to read about naive people, their silly actions, complains and about your stubborn addiction to FSU women. But I must say some experiences are interesting. Some opinions here are interesting too. Most forumers can't stand kidding at them 

[greg2654]

I'm here for entertainment and a chance to develop some skills to express myself. It's sort of an on line version of slaughter ball.

[Seeker]

I voted other.  I became friends with a Ukrainian woman and as we learned about each others cultures I found the expat forum and it led me here.  In the process, our friendship (which was an exchange of questions and answers about culture, science, economics, beliefs, politics, etc) has grown.  So I stuck around.   

[Turboguy]

I have been a member here for a long time, basically within a few days of from when Dan launched this site.  My life has changed a lot during that time and my reasons for being here have changed as well.

In my early days it was definately to learn which is how I voted even though I don't think it is my current motivation.  I was never looking for advice.  I think I wanted to see what others had experienced and what worked and didn't.  I guess I have a hard head and have to learn by my own mistakes to a degree.  I was particularly interested in how to help a RW adapt to life in America in the beginning and then when my first K-1 turned into a train wreck some of the comments about agencies and sites were very helpful.   I found Elena's through RWD and that is where I met my wife.

I guess the friend answer is part of it.  I have made a lot of friends on RWD.  Some of those have drifted off into never never land and some I am still in touch with even though they don't post here often any more and some are still active here.  Still there are a lot of good people who join here and participate.

Sometimes it can be fun to be a pain in the butt to someone but I don't know that it would keep me active here.

RussianWind says it is extreamly boring here and sometimes it is.  Other times it can be a very interesting place.  It can be a bit like an interactive soap opera on occassion.

One of the things that may be different than most others would experience is that my wife also enjoys RWD so it is another thing we share.   I enjoy discussing some of the people and happenings that go on here with her and enjoy seeing her ideas when she posts. 

[CanadaMan]

One of the things that may be different than most others would experience is that my wife also enjoys RWD so it is another thing we share.   I enjoy discussing some of the people and happenings that go on here with her and enjoy seeing her ideas when she posts. 

Thanks for your post Turbo. I'm relatively new here so I didn't know you were one of the early trailblazers here.
What handle does your wife use at this site?

[Turboguy]

As far as I know I am one of the early ones.   My join date is January 26th 2005.   Looking through some of the other old time members the earliest join date I can find is the 22nd of January but I may have missed some.  Coming up on 5 years here pretty soon.

My wife is VWRW on RWD.

[Jumper]

other-
it's a mix of things? one reason isn't compelling.
and it changes..

currently- mostly it is that i know many posters here fro mthe past!(before RWD existed )
 from the old brahma board,planet love, RWG etc,
and keep in touch in a general way with what's going on with them "now"
in recent past- some what venting my own story,but i'm done with that.
and some sharing some experience/advice.
as far intially to RWD , Dan who i was familiar with from planet love or earlier?
had invited me over ( i had been a moderator at RWG)

in the past 98? 99?-what intially drew me to those first forums ,
 i had met a local RW, was truly impressed.
She was on a student visa and had to return to Ukraine ,we stayed in touch for some time.calls emails, she had  a lot of in depth family troubles and we drifted.. but    I began to look into ukrainian culture , found a few of the dating sites,,mostly scam, and it led me to the older long gone forums .
I had a job opportunity  coming up in europe, that was likely to be Prague based ,and i simply got interested
(and back then czech rep still had marriage agencies , believe it or not!!  though i did not go to any there,little need if you are living *in country*)
 I had lived in Europe previously,, so it wasn't like eastern european's were completely alien to me..

 

[Turboguy]

Nice story AJ.   I think we both feel the reason we participate is fluid.  Sorta like on Visa Journey.   When I was starting a K-1 I read every post in the K-1 section,  I haven't been to that section for ages now.  When I had IMBRA troubles I read every post in the VJ IMBRA section.   Haven't opened that section since.  When we got to AOS I read that section dilligently.   Now I start to go back to VJ to read the Removal of Conditions section.   

I wish that I had found some of the older forums you did that existed before RWD.  Truthfully RWD changed my life.  I never realized how stupid I was about this process and how little I understood until I got to compare notes with some of the others here and see what they experienced and learn from their mistakes.

The first forum I found was a very obscure one where Dan happened to trip over me and lead me into the light.  I found that obsure forum a few weeks before RWD started.  I can't say the other forum was any help but I am happy it lead me to RWD.

[I/O]

Came with noble intentions of sharing and giving something from what I had learned together with the idea of extracting something for the future. Somewhere, somehow I lost interest in taking forum boards too seriously and now probably hang around largely being a PITA and debunking a few myths.

[Blues Fairy]

I joined while waiting for the K-1, with an intention of killing time. 

Right now RWD is a kind of virtual community I feel attached to, in the absence of a real community.  Besides, when I have a pressing work deadline it's kinda nice to have something to distract me from working.   (Yes, I/O, I know of passive aggression).

[tfcrew]

All of the above

[Faux Pas]

When I started communicating with RW and had the faint idea that this is something I would very well pursue, I had no idea that forums on this subject even existed. I was truly the blind squirrel looking for a nut. I had so many questions and no where to find direct answers. I'm an impatient sort on many things and will only research "so long".  At that time I literally had no idea about ANYTHING RW related but, mind you I wasn't then and hopefully not now stupid.

Eventually, I found a forum (not RWD) that was very helpful although it was far from the gold mine of information found here. After tiring of the backslapping and ankle biting at that first forum and having many questions still to ask I found RWD. I don't remember how I found RWD but, much of this forum helped me through either from the archives or some fresh threads with information that I really needed.

As I said, I wasn't stupid then, in fact, I am a reasonably intelligent man by most standards. I don't come now to mine much information as I do looking for some of those who are as I was. Open minded, willing to learn and with reasonable expectations of what may or may not develop. For me and I don't state this with any savior type attitude, I want to help some of those people that were like myself.

Along the way I've made some good friends with whom I enjoy their banter and I can find them all here on this forum.

[I/O]

(passive aggression).

Underrated.

[Seeker]

To my original post in this thread I would like to add, I actually find myself liking and admiring many of you...  Yeah, even some of you I disagree with at times.  The honesty and open sharing of ones personal feelings even under the threat of (virtual) torture shows that many of you are very good people at heart.

[Admin]

I have been a member here for a long time, basically within a few days of from when Dan launched this site.  My life has changed a lot during that time and my reasons for being here have changed as well.

In my early days it was definately to learn which is how I voted even though I don't think it is my current motivation.  I was never looking for advice.  I think I wanted to see what others had experienced and what worked and didn't.  I guess I have a hard head and have to learn by my own mistakes to a degree.  I was particularly interested in how to help a RW adapt to life in America in the beginning and then when my first K-1 turned into a train wreck some of the comments about agencies and sites were very helpful.   I found Elena's through RWD and that is where I met my wife.

I guess the friend answer is part of it.  I have made a lot of friends on RWD.  Some of those have drifted off into never never land and some I am still in touch with even though they don't post here often any more and some are still active here.  Still there are a lot of good people who join here and participate.

Sometimes it can be fun to be a pain in the butt to someone but I don't know that it would keep me active here.

RussianWind says it is extreamly boring here and sometimes it is.  Other times it can be a very interesting place.  It can be a bit like an interactive soap opera on occassion.

One of the things that may be different than most others would experience is that my wife also enjoys RWD so it is another thing we share.   I enjoy discussing some of the people and happenings that go on here with her and enjoy seeing her ideas when she posts. 

>>I found Elena's through RWD and that is where I met my wife.<<

Yeah - that was before we started advertising, and we often lament the fact that TG might have made us rich if we'd gotten a 'piece' of all his EM charges 

other-
it's a mix of things? one reason isn't compelling.
and it changes..

currently- mostly it is that i know many posters here fro mthe past!(before RWD existed )
 from the old brahma board,planet love, RWG etc,
and keep in touch in a general way with what's going on with them "now"
in recent past- some what venting my own story,but i'm done with that.
and some sharing some experience/advice.
as far intially to RWD , Dan who i was familiar with from planet love or earlier?
had invited me over ( i had been a moderator at RWG)

AJ - we 'knew' each other from both PL and Brama. Both were the leading resources in their day - and PL remains the leader for those interested in Asian and Latin geographies.

Came with noble intentions of sharing and giving something from what I had learned together with the idea of extracting something for the future. Somewhere, somehow I lost interest in taking forum boards too seriously and now probably hang around largely being a PITA and debunking a few myths.

Probably best for everyone to NOT take internet fora too seriously, in any case. AND - in spite of your occasional callous delivery, your heart is in the right place and you cannot help but display it - if a person is patient enough to wait for it (some are not) 

All of the above

Karl - more than 10 years, IIRC. You have been a hallmark of helpful and relevant information for as long as I can recall.

I joined while waiting for the K-1, with an intention of killing time. 

Right now RWD is a kind of virtual community I feel attached to, in the absence of a real community.  Besides, when I have a pressing work deadline it's kinda nice to have something to distract me from working.   (Yes, I/O, I know of passive aggression).

BF - I am consistently impressed with your uncanny insight and wisdom. I also deeply admire your perspective on marriage and commitment. It is truly inspiring - and a recipe for success that ALL can learn from. Oh - and you have an adorable daughter as well   

When I started communicating with RW and had the faint idea that this is something I would very well pursue, I had no idea that forums on this subject even existed. I was truly the blind squirrel looking for a nut. I had so many questions and no where to find direct answers. I'm an impatient sort on many things and will only research "so long".  At that time I literally had no idea about ANYTHING RW related but, mind you I wasn't then and hopefully not now stupid.

Eventually, I found a forum (not RWD) that was very helpful although it was far from the gold mine of information found here. After tiring of the backslapping and ankle biting at that first forum and having many questions still to ask I found RWD. I don't remember how I found RWD but, much of this forum helped me through either from the archives or some fresh threads with information that I really needed.

As I said, I wasn't stupid then, in fact, I am a reasonably intelligent man by most standards. I don't come now to mine much information as I do looking for some of those who are as I was. Open minded, willing to learn and with reasonable expectations of what may or may not develop. For me and I don't state this with any savior type attitude, I want to help some of those people that were like myself.

Along the way I've made some good friends with whom I enjoy their banter and I can find them all here on this forum.

>>Eventually, I found a forum (not RWD) that was very helpful although it was far from the gold mine of information found here. After tiring of the backslapping and ankle biting at that first forum and having many questions still to ask I found RWD. I don't remember how I found RWD but, much of this forum helped me through either from the archives or some fresh threads with information that I really needed.<<

FP - the owner of RMP (RussianMeetingPlace.com), Khashyar, is one of the very few RW forum owners who approached me professionally and with an attitude of mutual respect. As a result, I have offered our support for them as they rebuild their base - should they care to avail themselves of my offer. AND - we are very glad for your migration here - and the others who have arrived from RMP.

Let's be honest, I find this forum extremely boring in general and do not read most of posters' essays (I have no idea why you can't express your thoughts in a shorter way, it is a forum, not a blog afterall  )

I visit this place just because I am interested in the other side of view on international dating, men side, as I know motivations of girls pretty well.

I find it amazing to read about naive people, their silly actions, complains and about your stubborn addiction to FSU women. But I must say some experiences are interesting. Some opinions here are interesting too. Most forumers can't stand kidding at them 

RW - what can I say  :noidea: - different strokes for different folks, I guess.

To my original post in this thread I would like to add, I actually find myself liking and admiring many of you...  Yeah, even some of you I disagree with at times.  The honesty and open sharing of ones personal feelings even under the threat of (virtual) torture shows that many of you are very good people at heart.

Seeker - great attitude. Real learning seldom comes from someone telling us what we want, or expect, to hear.

- Dan

[Seeker]

Real learning seldom comes from someone telling us what we want, or expect, to hear.

- Dan

So true.  Thank you Dan for providing this "family" for us.  As disfunctional as we might some times be.   

Did any of you sense this thread might have brought a tear to his eye?  I hope so.  He deserves to feel good for what he is doing for us.

[rwoo1983]

What draws you to the forums? In a quest for knowledge and using it to find a nice RW in the future. I know this is easier said than done. I believe this is a great website to meet other people who shares my interest in women, particularly RW.

[I/O]

your heart

Haven't got one.

[Admin]

Haven't got one.

You lie.

[Faux Pas]

FP - the owner of RMP (RussianMeetingPlace.com), Khashyar, is one of the very few RW forum owners who approached me professionally and with an attitude of mutual respect. As a result, I have offered our support for them as they rebuild their base - should they care to avail themselves of my offer. AND - we are very glad for your migration here - and the others who have arrived from RMP.

Thanks Dan!

I agree with you about RMP and Khashyar. I would like to see it at this point even a shell of it's former self. There used to be a good hodgepodge of people there. Mostly men but, many from the US, Europe and Australia. It would appear there are less than a dozen who regularly post now. Khash is a class act albeit a little too "PC" and indecisive for my taste. A good guy and a gentleman but clearly too busy to for a forum.

[I/O]

You lie.

Ask the girls in my office, they reckon I'm the worlds only living heart donor. BTW, Khashyar from RMP is IMO, one for the really decent guys out there and it was via that conduit also I came here.

[wiz]

I always wanted to visit Russia, so back in 2004 I had an opportunity and went to St Peters for a visit for 5 days. Then I started talking to some woman from Lviv/Ukraine, on MSN and decided to visit. I needed to find somewhere to stay so I joined Brama where I posted till gone stale. Then moved to RWG and in March 2005 found RWD.

Long postsd and history... then had a break.

Later I joined the other forum........and continue posting also on RWG.

Now I am back here and post in couple other boards too.

To be honest after my marriage lost much interest and only visit teh boards when I have nothing else to do!