Something unexpected

[ECOCKS]

This ought to be an interesting experience...

Yesterday, my youngest son (23) and I were out and about for some shopping, lunch and general "guy time" while the wife worked on some painting and time alone.

Anyway, driving down the street towards lunch he asked about whether he was ever going to get to go to Ukraine or Russia and how did I think he would find the dating climate? After regaining control of the vehicle, I said "Well, get off your ass and get a passport if you want to travel outside the country. As for dating, well, women are women son, they're just [generally] more beautiful over there. If you want to try international dating you also better be saving up your money."

So, now I'm coaching him on a profile setup (EM and maybe another) and running through the mental catalog of family and friends as to who has daughters in the 19 to 25 or so range.

I know of one guy who married a UW whose son was in process of marrying a gal (weird that she had dated his dad for a couple of months but hey to each their own).

Second generation relationships could be the coming thing in this world of intl. dating.

[acrzybear]

This ought to be an interesting experience...

Yesterday, my youngest son (23) and I were out and about for some shopping, lunch and general "guy time" while the wife worked on some painting and time alone.

23 yo son? Damn you're old  Hey wait I'm old enough to have a 23 yo son Damn I'm old

Seriously though at least you can help guide him through the positives and negatives of international relations.

[ScottinCrimea]

Maybe if he's in college have him enroll in some Russian language courses.

[ECOCKS]

If only the local university offered Russian language classes....

[greg2654]

My stepson (25) contemplated going to Russia for a girl but nixed the idea kind of quickly. He wanted a Russian or European girl and found out that there were enough running around here that he didn't have to go back. Besides, if he went to Russia too soon he'd be nabbed and put into the army. I've heard, but don't know if it's true, that they'll stop looking for him after 9 years. The military searched his grandparents flat a couple of times looking for him so why take a chance?

I don't know what the conscription laws are in Ukraine but it would be good to check. In Russia even if he is a US citizen it says in his passport what his country of origin is and unless he has specifically denounced his Russian citizenship he's still considered a Russian citizen. I believe this is done in person in Washington DC at the Russian embassy.

[ECOCKS]

Thanks for the thought Greg.

My melded family consists of my two sons (28 and 23) plus my wife's 23 year old who completed his University training in accordance with his military requirement. All great kids. It was my younger son who asked this. My stepson is still in Ukraine while we try to get set to bring him over.

[RK]

if he went to Russia too soon he'd be nabbed and put into the army. I've heard, but don't know if it's true, that they'll stop looking for him after 9 years.

Why didn't he do or not want to do his military service?

[TwoBitBandit]

I don't know what the conscription laws are in Ukraine but it would be good to check. In Russia even if he is a US citizen it says in his passport what his country of origin is and unless he has specifically denounced his Russian citizenship he's still considered a Russian citizen. I believe this is done in person in Washington DC at the Russian embassy.

I'm told it actually costs a substantial amount of money to do this.  A former Russian teacher of mine was married to a fellow Russian who also emigrated to the United States.  He wanted to return to Russia, but was afraid of getting drafted.  He had to renounce his citizenship at the Russian consulate and pay a large fee.  I think it was around $500 or $1000 if I recall correctly...

[greg2654]

Why didn't he do or not want to do his military service?

He was only 15 when he came over to the US. When he turned 18 they started to look for him in Moscow. His grandparents told the military that he didn't live in the country anymore but they didn't believe them and would come to their flat unexpectedly and search the place. If he went to Moscow we're worried he wouldn't make it past passport control.

[greg2654]

It was my younger son who asked this.

Excuse me ECOCKS, I misunderstood your post.