trip soon. any advises appreciated

[Bruno]

but I read Poseidon is a hard line Communist.

Maybe the term Communist is a little strong... Poseidon is from Europe and in Europe, the politic party are not like in US or in USSR...

Mainly, you have the "liberal" side and the "socialist" side... in some way, when see from far, "liberal" are like "republican" in US, and "socialist" are like conservator... modern value against old value... Ok, i know that it is a very bad analogie... but it is the more simple to make in a few line...

The big majority of European are mainly center left or center right... not so much extremist...

[Turboguy]

I have to agree with you that it probably is a big sin in your religion to have your children brought up in another religion.   Of course it is a big sin for her to have her children brought up in another religion too.  Now since many people hope to spend a life together here and forever in the afterlife and one of you is doomed to go shovel coal it looks like a no win situation to me.

The part that throws me off to be totally honest is that you seem to not have the least bit of interest in meeting another Muslim gal.  Could you explain that to me?

jb, in comparison to this, PG was almost a sure thing.  Seriously I thought PG had at least a chance of success.  I will be surprised if we hear a trip report filled with good news.  I like to see everyones dreams come true.  I just think you are going in the wrong direction and not very prepared to go in any direction.

[Maverick Mikey]

Posideon you was making me think about a Moldovian train wreck type scenario and your starring role in it..........sorry to be blunt, but hey no point sugar coating it

[prince_alfie]

The part that throws me off to be totally honest is that you seem to not have the least bit of interest in meeting another Muslim gal.  Could you explain that to me?

It's mainly psychological. People are always fascinated by others of a different race, different religion, different country. It is something about the psyche of Homo Sapiens.

So, his desire is not so farfetched. It's one reason why we see a lot of Caucasian guys in US marry young Asian women, Caucasian women in South marry African-Americans... Why would religion be any different than race here? 

[BillyB]

Neither my religion nor my political views have an important role on my lifestyle. I just vote for left-wing parties during elections and that's it.

That's fine, I just took it as if you are hard lined activist in Communism based on your comments elsewhere that you participated in Communist events in your time at the University and your comment that Communism is a true Utopia.

Alfie, religion is different than marrying a person from a different race. If a couple marry one day without establishing where they want to go with religion or it's importance or lack of, years down the line, one may wake up and regret their decision and the marriage will end up in divorce due to one wanting to practice religion a certain way and looking down at their partner as a sinner and losing respect for them. This issue isn't to be taken lightly and one needs to communicate clearly with a future spouse on the direction they are to go before marriage.

[Stirlitz]

1. What age gap should be best for me? I am planning to go with 21-26 group.

— I would suggest 24-30. Younger is usually too immature and not serious. Too much trouble and frustration.

4. I am not looking for a maid, but I was grown up in a conservative circle, and I would intend to consider households as rather "woman work". Of course, I am not so naive to believe everything I read. In many profils, they stated that they LIKE cooking, household, etc... Obviously, agency must have involved and tell them what to write and what not to. Then, what is the reality? What can I expect?

— You can expect better than what you can expect from a western woman. Russian/Ukrainian women have sort of an instinct to look after the house, it is rather automatic. Many of them would not expect you to help and would be surprised if you do.

5. Tips: How much should I give tip to interpreter for "better work"?

— Not sure. As much as you like. Probably less than $5 would not do you any good and might even offend some people although some would be happy with just any tip at all. I guess by tips you mean what you pay in addition to the fees?

Of course, there is definitely one suggestion: I wouldn't try St. Petersburg at all to be honest. I heard (vicariously) that the racism and very problematic xenophobia is rampant so it probably wouldn't be worth your time.

That’s correct but I would also say that it is a problem for the entire country. In my experience, Ukraine is more tolerant while Russia is basically xenophobic. It can be explained (not justified) by problems with ex-pats from southern former Soviet republics who are often too rude and barefaced and create a bad image for all people who are Muslim or come from the Caucasus.

I just came back from Moscow and have some new experience to add to what I had had before. I was fixing my car with my friend, let’s call him L. It was in his garage in Moscow. He was not around but another friend came by, named M. Suddenly a guard came to us and told us we could not be there. As L. was not there we could not just leave the garage open and go, but instead of explaining this to the guard, M. went down on him telling him to drop dead, asking if he had a registration and threatening to call the police who would check it. The guard was an Uzbek. Had he been Russian, M. would have just explained to him that we did not have the keys to the garage and were waiting for L. to come back.

Later I also spoke to L. about things and he mentioned that he did not like black people who he referred to as niggers. His point was he did not have anything against them, just did not like them because they did not give anything to the world, namely there were no prominent black scientists. Black singers and actors as well as politicians obviously did not count. No, he was not really into racism, he would not go out beating black people, had absolutely nothing to do with skinheads, but he had an attitude and would use the word nigger often.

At that I can assure you that both L. and M. are great people and  terrific friends and they did help me out a lot when I was in Moscow, something I did not expect at all, frankly.

From what I know this attitude is rather typical for Russia while it strikes us Ukrainians. We are not used to such manifestations of racism and xenophobia. I am not sure about the West of Ukraine but the South seems to be OK with different peoples and races. I even had a black American as a client (working as a guide and interpreter) and he was doing OK, with the girls also.

Why are you not looking in countries or areas where there are stong Muslim communities. Georgia for example.

Georgia is orthodox Christian like Russia and Greece.

[groovlstk]

I agree that being Muslim (and requesting your children be inured in it) will be somewhat of an uphill battle. But despite the negatives, I would suggest putting a positive spin on the whole thing.

PA, I don't mean to pick on you because you've had your share of detractors here, but this is simply horrendous advice. How can a man put a "positive spin" on his religion to a woman who has no interest in a relationship with him because she doesn't share his beliefs? It's not something simple like Poseidon's passion for Chevies vs. Svetlana's passion for Volgas, when at the end of the day their differences might add spice their relationship. It's much deeper and any amount of "positive spin" will be met with the same instant rejection from the same Russian women.

Thinking positively is the most important thing. If you come across as being skeptical and lack self-confidence then women will be more turned off by that than the fact that you're Muslim.

Good Lord.

First off: thinking positively and displaying confidence are mutually exclusive traits. Very mutually exclusive. The only Russian women who will admire you for thinking positively are the ones who take you for a ride and know that each time they use you you'll be able to rationalize it as a "positive experience" and come back for more.

Poseidon had damn well better be skeptical, moreso than us other potential mules, because his chances of attracting scammers and GCGs is much higher. A girl who (however wrongly) considers him inferior because he's a Muslim can easily rationalize using him.

I would like to express my admiration for going against the grain and not walking in the usual path. You will be happy and blessed for it, I am sure!

This statement might be appropriate if Poseidon decided to expand his interests by trying his hand at growing bonzai trees or building a model railroad. But this is his life, for Pete's sake. The path he's walking down is, under the best of circumstances, dangerous; given his circumstances it's more like a minefield.

PA, you're an erudite and articulate guy, and you seem to have a good heart. But I shudder to think of your arrival at SVO, because every scammers and GCG in the region will be climbing all over each other for a chance to latch onto you.

[Maverick Mikey]

PA, I don't mean to pick on you because you've had your share of detractors here, but this is simply horrendous advice. How can a man put a "positive spin" on his religion to a woman who has no interest in a relationship with him because she doesn't share his beliefs? It's not something simple like Poseidon's passion for Chevies vs. Svetlana's passion for Volgas, when at the end of the day their differences might add spice their relationship. It's much deeper and any amount of "positive spin" will be met with the same instant rejection from the same Russian women.

Good Lord.

First off: thinking positively and displaying confidence are mutually exclusive traits. Very mutually exclusive. The only Russian women who will admire you for thinking positively are the ones who take you for a ride and know that each time they use you you'll be able to rationalize it as a "positive experience" and come back for more.

Poseidon had damn well better be skeptical, moreso than us other potential mules, because his chances of attracting scammers and GCGs is much higher. A girl who (however wrongly) considers him inferior because he's a Muslim can easily rationalize using him.

This statement might be appropriate if Poseidon decided to expand his interests by trying his hand at growing bonzai trees or building a model railroad. But this is his life, for Pete's sake. The path he's walking down is, under the best of circumstances, dangerous; given his circumstances it's more like a minefield.

PA, you're an erudite and articulate guy, and you seem to have a good heart. But I shudder to think of your arrival at SVO, because every scammers and GCG in the region will be climbing all over each other for a chance to latch onto you.

Too true...... i believe that PA and Poiesdon are heading for a train wreck