Hello new and nervous

[CTcarolina]

Hello!  Just thought that I'd introduce myself.  My name's Coley and I live in the upstate of SC.  I've been reading on this board for the past couple of days and I have to say that I've gotten more practical advice on dating in general and about Russian women and culture in particular. 

Anyway, I am single and I'm not currently dating anyone.  I have thought about possibly meeting someone from Russia but I would want to proceed with caution as far as any dating sites are conserned.  I guess I'm taking things slow and using this time to learn more about russia and the culture.

I look forward to hearing from and getting to know everyone!

Coley

[2tallbill]

Welcome aboard,

I highly recommend a ton of reading, and it sounds like you are on your way.

Good luck,

Udachi

Bill

[Turboguy]

Welcome to RWD.   I think you are off to a good start and the more time you spend reading, posting and interacting here the easier time you will have in finding  a good woman and avoiding some of the pitfalls that are out there. 

[chade1968]

Good luck and I am sure will not regret it. It has been one of the most exciting things I have done in my life.

114 since my NOA1 but who's counting

[tjk]

Welcome to RDW. This is a really great place to learn. I know that everyone has helped me out a lot here. Lots of stuff to read and lots to learn as well.

[BillyB]

I guess I'm taking things slow and using this time to learn more about russia and the culture.

Coley, there's a first time for everything and it's best doing it slow. Since it's your first time here, some members will be gentle with you and others will be rough for your own good. Enjoy!

[Shadow]

Welcome Coley and do not be nervous. By the time you are on a plane going to a country where most people do not speak your language to meet someone that might be a stranger you might become a little nervous

If you are interested in meeting someone from Russia, first make a clear picture for yourself.
- Are you able to handle multiple dates or will you meet only one woman at a time ?
- Do you have the means and time to travel ?
- Are you internet wise to use free sites, or would you like to use agencies that will guide you better ?

Just some things that you must ask yourself. Read the FAQ and what other information you can find, and do not hesitate to ask questions.

[Kuna]

Coley,

Welcome to RWD...

Don't be nervous... it's a walk in a park... Of course the park I'm thinking of is a national park out in the central Australian desert with no food water or fuel for thousands of kilometres and snakes and other poisonous obsticles just to makes it interesting...

Imagine what a big glass of cold water is like...  I hope you can imagine the contrast!  That's just one of the huge contrasts you'll discover to your life at home if you choose to travel to FSU for dating.

I'd encourage you to read everything you can here and do as Shadow says above... I believe a lot of the success in this journey comes from really understanding yourself and knowing what you want and why.  If you're realistic and can contain your emotions (even just a little) you'll go much further than those that don't plan.

You;'ll find lots of great advice here and hopefully you'll identify the "fair dinkum blokes" that really know what they're talking about.  I started my search a year ago and was lucky to see through the BS that pops up here from tie to time.  I'll give you a hint...  Look for married men that have a knack for upsetting the dreamers and the romantics.  They're the ones with the "good oil".   

You've got lots of reading to do... and your questions will always be welcomed.  Hopefully one day soon you'll take your first trip and write a Trip report so we can all re-live the excitement of our first trip.

Again, welcome... good luck... and most importanty HAVE FUN!

Kuna

[Turboguy]

Actually Coley did not say what he was nervous about.   Perhaps he read the Adrian thread and was nervous when making the intro post that jb would eat him alive.   Don't worry Coley.  You started off fine.  jb only barks and doesn't bite and if Russian women bite you might enjoy it. 

[Son of Clyde]

Coley,

You are using the most pratical approach. Caution.

I think you will do ok.

We were all nervous at some point. Even if you decide to visit the FSU first as a tourist (to get to know the country) it might be a good thing to do.

Most parts of Ukraine are safer than some large American cities.

If I had to start somewhere I would try Crimea. Yalta is a breathtaking place to visit.

[ScottinCrimea]

Welcome Coley!
     You haven't said anything about your age, etc.  which might be helpful in getting guidance.  It's important to read all you can, but don't put things off too long.  All the theory won't mean anything until you actually set foot on FSU soil.  Decide who you are, what you want and then begin to set a timeline.  I'm one of those who jumped in headfirst with no real guidance from anything like this site.  I got lucky and married the first woman I went to visit, who just happened to be the most beautiful, intelligent and overall wonderful woman in the FSU (Sorry guys, but you'll never convince me otherwise).  Maybe if I had found this site first I would have been more nervous.  Just pay attention to those here with the most and best experience and who have what you are looking for.  For the rest, they can offer some good travel and sightseeing tips.
     Best of luck and I'm looking forward to that first trip report.


Scott

[Vaughn]

I got lucky and married the first woman I went to visit, who just happened to be the most beautiful, intelligent and overall wonderful woman in the FSU

According to Pravda there were two - and I nabbed the other one. 

Coley, how far do you live from Carowinds? It's right down the road from us.
Welcome to RWD.

Vaughn

[ScottinCrimea]

According to Pravda there were two - and I nabbed the other one. 
Vaughn

Vaughn, We must be related by marriage then.  I wonder if my wife knows she has a long lost sister?

[Vaughn]

Anything's possible. Sometimes we watch Zhdi Menya on Channel One,
and witness some heart-tugging reunions.

Off topic here, but have you noticed any difference between Coley's
self-intro vs. Adrian's?

 :hairraising:

[CTcarolina]

Welcome Coley!
     You haven't said anything about your age, etc.  which might be helpful in getting guidance.  It's important to read all you can, but don't put things off too long.  All the theory won't mean anything until you actually set foot on FSU soil.  Decide who you are, what you want and then begin to set a timeline.  I'm one of those who jumped in headfirst with no real guidance from anything like this site.  I got lucky and married the first woman I went to visit, who just happened to be the most beautiful, intelligent and overall wonderful woman in the FSU (Sorry guys, but you'll never convince me otherwise).  Maybe if I had found this site first I would have been more nervous.  Just pay attention to those here with the most and best experience and who have what you are looking for.  For the rest, they can offer some good travel and sightseeing tips.
     Best of luck and I'm looking forward to that first trip report.


Scott

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and the good advice so far!  Well I think I better tell a little more about myself.  I'm thirty-seven years old, so I figure I'm mature enough to be somewhat practical in my decisions (I hope so anyway).  I work for the airlines, so I've traveled quite a bit, just not to the FSU.  So I don't think going there will be a problem.  I'm just not sure where to begin my search for.  Even if I never find what I'm looking for in the east, I have always wanted to visit Russia.  In the meantime, I really do have a lot of reading to do.

Coley, how far do you live from Carowinds? It's right down the road from us.

Vaughn, I live down in Greenville SC, so I'm assuming you're either near Charlotte or Ft Mill

[Vaughn]

I live down in Greenville SC, so I'm assuming you're either near Charlotte or Ft Mill

Right between them both. You've arrived at a good place for information. Keep
reading -  the archives contain gems here and there. If you don't see it, ask.

[CTcarolina]

So I guess an obvious first question would be what agency would you recommend or have used?  Personally, and from what I've read, I don't really trust any communication going through a third party.  Is there a way to meet a RW without an agency?

Thanks again!

Coley

[Turboguy]

There are lots of ways.   If you don't want to spend any money at all there is www.freepersonals.ru   You can get contact info for the ladies from www.elenasmodels.com, www.bride.ru or www.merrydating.com

[Kuna]

So I guess an obvious first question would be what agency would you recommend or have used?  Personally, and from what I've read, I don't really trust any communication going through a third party.  Is there a way to meet a RW without an agency?

Thanks again!

Coley

Coley,

Before joining an agency there are probably a few things you need to decide on that will give you a BIG head start when you do kick off your search...

First of all - I'd suggest you really think about what approach you want to take (WMVM, WNWM, WOVO).  This usually just comes down to what YOU are most comfortable with.  Writing to Many and Visiting Many as opposed to Writing to Many and Visiting One always starts a big debate but there are positives and negatives in both approaches.

Once you know what you're confortable with you can then start to think about which agencies or services will suit you best.

If you want to meet many then you can either write to lots of girls before your arrival and arrange to meet them when you are in FSU.  Please keep in mind this is EXTREEMLY difficult if you're juggling many girls because they may build some expectations and the outcomes may not be good.

You can just visit an agency and have them arrange "dates" where you meet many girls over a 2 or 3 day period and if you click with one or more you can spend more time getting to know each other.

You can run ads like is spoken about here at times and that process might suit you too.

Some men prefer to write to many and then they might feel like they've found one that is a good match and then they go to visit one.  If you do this is really should have a back up plan like an agency visit (speed dating) just in case your impressions in person aren't the same as your impressions in email and phone calls.

There are MANY agencies and options to consider but I think its more important initially to work out what sort of search process suits you best.

All the best,

Kuna