The Good, the bad, the ugly,... Get the truth.

[OlgaH]

It was just pork, pork, and more pork.

What you can do?  :noidea: People just love pork   

[Doll]

I'm a bit surprised you just dint tell them , you wanted to do it your way,  and it was your business to do so.

Sweetie, I sure did it my first one or two years then I just gave up.
I do EVERYTHING in my own way (because I am Russian   and I am smart and I am intelligent)- just don't go for stupid discussions.
Why "stupid"? Because Americans tend to "teach the world" and I am a proud Russian- proud to be Russian ( just like you, guys, are proud to be Americans).
 People here are sure anyone from the other country would love to live here and this is heaven. Yesterday Greg told me that two thousand times . Just kidding about Greg.
  90% of you who marry RW think you rescue us from from horror so we are so lucky and need to appreciate this fact alone. It can be blessing for somebody but i am sorry- we are Russians, came from this huge and nice country and have our pride.
  I don't think right anymore to tell somebody that I am no less smart than "they know how to do it". I just let it go.

[Doll]

This post above is mostly for you, Amerikanski, since we are talking of "both sides knowledge". This is about that other side either.

[Doll]

Do you think your 8 years experience would be the same if you lived in Chicago?

Maybe if Americans in Chicago are totally different from the majority  

Ah, speaking of credit cards and RW-Russian background makes it better as we fear debts. Most of us charge credit cards and always pay 100% in  or on time.
See? Not so bad.
As for big cities- the chance to marry ans AM from a big (really big) city is slim to nothing. I personally don't regret we live in the woods- it is nice and peaceful, the stores and all the rest of fun places are just 15 min away.
Berks County, Pa- this is a very hard area to live, I mean people. Any accent is not welcomed.  But I am not generalizing "PA" experience- I have friends all over the country, their problems are same (A-R marriages).
Eventually, these roughness   becomes less but the first years are something!

[dogspot]

Nice photos. It seems I've seen them before. Did you take those?

 

[OlgaH]

Nice photos. It seems I've seen them before. Did you take those?

 

No way dogpost I could

[Jooky]

90% of you who marry RW think you rescue us from from horror so we are so lucky and need to appreciate this fact alone. It can be blessing for somebody but i am sorry- we are Russians, came from this huge and nice country and have our pride

.

Doll, the descriptions in this thread make Russia sound like a hell hole, and you agree with most of it. I agree with a lot of it too... so if that's really Russia, why wouldn't a man think he's rescuing a Russian woman by taking her away from such a place?

[Shadow]

.

Doll, the descriptions in this thread make Russia sound like a hell hole, and you agree with most of it. I agree with a lot of it too... so if that's really Russia, why wouldn't a man think he's rescuing a Russian woman by taking her away from such a place?

It does not matter if it looks like a hell hole to you. To those living there its home. There are people who might think that your house looks like a hell hole as well, but if you were taken in to a palace with servants on every corner any all the latest equipment, would you feel saved ?

[Jooky]

There are people who might think that your house looks like a hell hole as well, but if you were taken in to a palace with servants on every corner any all the latest equipment, would you feel saved ?

I'm not talking about physical appearances or lack of luxury, I'm talking about a hell hole society as being described here, that Doll agrees with.

If I felt the society I grew up with was so screwed up and that the people around me were in general a bunch of a*holes, then I'd be happy to get far away and I'd never look back. I can't imagine being saved, but for sure I'd save myself. I have a few friends that hated where we grew up. They moved on to new places to call home and they are very thankful for it.

[Shadow]

What exactly do you believe to be 'hell hole' in the Russian society, that people would have to get away from ?

Usually the discussion goes no further than the state of buildings, roads and lack of hot water, which to me does not reflect on anything else but physical and luxury matters.
It hardly points as society being screwed up and people being a bunch of a**holes.

[Jooky]

Shadow, have you read the descriptions of Russian society and culture in this thread? That's what I'm referring to.

If a Russian woman agrees with the description, I'd expect her to want to escape or be saved. (But I sure as hell wouldn't save her).

[Ade]

Shadow, have you read the descriptions of Russian society and culture in this thread? That's what I'm referring to.

If a Russian woman agrees with the description, I'd expect her to want to escape or be saved. (But I sure as hell wouldn't save her).

There will always be people in any country that views their surroundings like that. My wife, her family and friends don't see their city/country like that though. Sure, they think it's a little bit of a pita when the hot water goes off twice a year but it's not really a big deal to them and it's handled with a shrug and a smile. Not something to get worked up about and neither are the many other things that westerners tend to notice and complain about in the FSU.

I think people should see if they can find the 5 part Jonathan Dimbleby in Russia series; http://www.dimblebys-russia.co.uk/ It's quite an eye opener and shows some of how the normal Russian's live from West and East. It's without a doubt the best series of it's type I've seen. Who said Russian's are full of hate and can't smile...

[Doll]

Doll, the descriptions in this thread make Russia sound like a hell hole, and you agree with most of it. I agree with a lot of it too... so if that's really Russia, why wouldn't a man think he's rescuing a Russian woman by taking her away from such a place?

Basic knowledge: there are hundreds (other than the US) countries with their own culture which is- language, history, life style, etc. People live the way they live- they were born there, live and enjoy life. They don't know any different and in most case they don't want to leave their countries.
  What looks like a "hole" to an "American eye" is OK AND NICE for  a Russian, a Vietnamese, a German, you name it.
 This is - one more time- the way people live, it is called "culture other than American" if you would. They don't need your or somebody else's judgment.
   About fr-ng rescuing- I would strongly recommend to learn this lesson:you are not rescuing, you're marrying women (actually you're rescuing yourself but it is another "thread"), you're not doing a favor or something. Period. This cr-p might work with Philippians or Chinese, but never with Russians/ Ukrainians/ any Slavic. Every time you mention it- you're closer to the end of your marriage.  You want these "cracks"? Then go ahead- remind her you rescued her from the "hole", I am not responsible for what will happen.
 Believe me, I know Russians- they have pride. They might not react on this kind of cr-p, but they never forget it and there will be some day you'll have all the consequences. I know what I am talking of.
 (I am sure Amer knows it, if not- then read again )

  PS As for posting this kind if pictures- then it is up to Olga. I never bi-tch my country though I know all she knows and more as I am older I just have a pride to not say anything bad about both Russia and America. I call it RESPECT.
Over these 8 years has anyone heard any crappy stuff about Russia from me? No. About the USA? I don't think so. Respect is the key word.

[Doll]

I'm talking about a hell hole society as being described here, that Doll agrees with.

Just to make it clear- the thread is about "don't marry RW", I agree with this part.
As for anything else- see my post above.

[Gylden]

I thought the thread was about "Amerikanski" wanting to help men going to Russia.
???

[Jooky]

Just to make it clear- the thread is about "don't marry RW", I agree with this part.
As for anything else- see my post above.

Ok. I thought you were in agreement with the way Russian society was being depicted here. That's why I posted.

[Doll]

Ok. I thought you were in agreement with the way Russian society was being depicted here. That's why I posted.

The description of Russian society is presented by an American man who has no or little respect.  It is not denotative- it is connotative. Connotations are made from the point of view of the person with little or no respect. I guess it is ok on the American board because " we 're just talking".
 

[Doll]

I thought the thread was about "Amerikanski" wanting to help men going to Russia.
???

It is exactly what this thread is about, you're right.

[Gylden]

Amerikanski,

Interesting first impression you had!!
In my experience I have found that some people have a certain look, which lends itself to becoming a "target", so to speak. Of course there are things you can do to avoid these situations, as you are probably quite adept at by now.

Anyway good story, thanks for sharing and looking forward to more.

 

[Doll]

Yes, it is a good story-I had fun reading it.

[Shadow]

Shadow, have you read the descriptions of Russian society and culture in this thread? That's what I'm referring to.

If a Russian woman agrees with the description, I'd expect her to want to escape or be saved. (But I sure as hell wouldn't save her).

Perhaps you can point me to the descriptions I might have missed.

[Fashionista]

Amazingly, many of what's posted here reminds me of rants I hear from some Russian expats who lived (and some continue to live) in the US or Canada and hated it here. The food is awful, vegies and fruits have no flavor, milk and meat are packed with anibiotics, houses are built from painted cardboard, and everyone has to pay for those all their lives, people are fat, ignorant, stupid and only think about money, they smile, but it's all fake, they don't know what friendship is, horrible monsters, baby eaters blah blah blah, the list goes on. But no, they don't hate the US or Canada irrationally, they in fact have this one American or Canadian friend, a real saint and an intellectual who agrees with them, etc.

No argument of any sort would change their mind. It's a human condition.

[Gylden]

Could be continuing "cold war" propaganda from both sides!!
 

[Fashionista]

I don't really think it's propaganda  

People focus on the negative, don't feel comfortable with changes, they dislike to explore and they forget to live their lives.

Or maybe crave for attention, need to be hugged, I can't say for sure.  

[Gylden]

Well I was joking a bit, but in all seriousness, I think it is a bit of both.

People in general don't like change.
There are truths to both sides, houses built from concrete are stronger for example (if they need to be stronger or not??) etc, etc.