why are Russian/Ukrainian women so greedy and materialistic??My thoughts on RW u

[Faux Pas]

You're wrong, Faux Pas.  I'm an unabashed feminazi, though not American.  So, I'll betray a feminazi  tactic.

My husband grew up with a Grandmother who was an expert cook, baker, and seamstress.  Honestly, no one could surpass her.  Every meal was four courses, with desserts such as napoleans and soufflés, all prepared on a budget and without modern conveniences including, for quite some time, refrigeration.  The local Jewish residents would always ask her to prepare stuffed pike for weddings, because no one could make this the way she did.

While I am a good cook, I knew I'd never be close to her standards.  So, I told my husband "Honey, I will be working long hours, and will have limited time.  You choose in which room you wish me to become expert."  Well, he didn't choose the kitchen, and he's still happy.

Boethius

It's quite possible we could both be right here. I grew up in the American South and in this region in another point in time it was very important for a woman to know how to cook and cook very well. Home Economics class at school was a very busy class.

Obviously, cooking wasn't important to your husband (or maybe it was and he didn't voice it?). Early on in my formative years, teenage girls who couldn't cook were ridiculed to some degree, more specifically in my family and most of the families I interacted with. In my lifetime, I have been on an estimated 12-15 first dates where the lady cooked for me. To take it one farther I have probably cooked for that many or more on a first date as well. I'm sure it is connected with the environment one is raised but still in the South a woman with talent in the kitchen is much appreciated 

[felix8787]

It was explained on this forum before, that russian dictionaries translate greed from english as "stinginess", so when a russian woman says greedy, most likely she means stingy. Look in any dictionary, i guarantee, all of them translate greedy as stingy

Aloe, I was curious about this when I ready your post so I looked it up.
жадный  прил

1. avaricious

2. avid

3. covetous

4. edacious

5. esurient

6. grasping

7. greedy

8. hoggish

9. insatiable

10. large-handed

11. open-mouthed

12. piggish

13. rapacious

14. ravenous

15. sharp-set (на что-либо)

16. voracious

17. hard

жадно прил

devouringly

That is the russian translation with a dictionary lookup also.
Then there is the American definition.
    
greedy
- 3 dictionary results
greed·y
   /ˈgridi/ Show Spelled[gree-dee] Show IPA
–adjective, greed·i·er, greed·i·est.
1.
excessively or inordinately desirous of wealth, profit, etc.; avaricious: the greedy owners of the company.
2.
having a strong or great desire for food or drink.
3.
keenly desirous; eager (often fol. by of  or for ): greedy for praise.

—Synonyms
1.  grasping, rapacious, selfish. 1, 3. See avaricious. 2.  ravenous, voracious, gluttonous, insatiable. 3.  covetous, anxious.

—Antonyms
1.  generous, unselfish.

greed·y   (grē'dē)  
adj. greed·i·er , greed·i·est

   1.

      Excessively desirous of acquiring or possessing, especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves.
   2.

      Wanting to eat or drink more than one can reasonably consume; gluttonous.
   3.

      Extremely eager or desirous: greedy for the opportunity to prove their ability.

No stingy there lol  

felix8787

[Boethius]

I can cook, Faux.  My mother insisted we all know how to cook.  I'm a better than average cook, much better.  But, I could never match my husband's Grandmother's cooking.  My MIL, an excellent cook, couldn't either.  My husband has never been a big eater.  He often forgets to eat.

[brad5959]

Hey Felix,

you hit the nail on its head with your post.  Greedy is the exact opposite in American english, as opposed to what RW think it is.  furthermore, many people on this post seem to be missing a very important point--there might be a good hearted RW, who does not go on a 2nd  3rd or 4th date with an american, because she doesn't think he spent enough on the first dates.  there are shooting themselves in the foot, because most american men become much more generous when they feel the relationship is progressing along the right pathway, and that the lady likes the man more for his personality and who he in particular is, as opposed to just his pocketbook.

[Faux Pas]

I can cook, Faux.  My mother insisted we all know how to cook.  I'm a better than average cook, much better.  But, I could never match my husband's Grandmother's cooking.  My MIL, an excellent cook, couldn't either.  My husband has never been a big eater.  He often forgets to eat.

Understandable. I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants in the world and have never found a cook as good as my grandmother either. She was absolutely the best. Also, a very simple, humble woman who had very little throughout her long lifetime. There was always a meal on her stove for any and everyone.

[felix8787]

Your welcome brad

Funny thing about this topic, is that while I was in Ukraine this last week, me and my lady were at the open market there, I was getting her a pair of sunglasses (I accidentally broke her's) we went to a lot of booths that were selling them and we went to this one booth where these 2 ladies were, they had her try on damn near all of them and each time I smiled and said "no"...LOL...funny thing is, is that they told her that I was "greedy" LMAO.. I couldn't help but laugh cause the sunglasses that they were selling looked like one of those gag sunglasses! Way to big for her face and just looked absolutely ridiculous!!! She was laughing they whole time trying on these glasses, cause she knew that I wasn't going to get them. We ended up getting something much better from another lady a few days later and they look SO MUCH BETTER then the "funny to big for your face sunglasses" look.

felix8787

[brad5959]

Felix8787, 

yeah, that is what really blows my mind.  some RW think that by insulting you and calling you greedy, that you are going to somehow be motivated to do what they want you to do.  must be that Soviet reverse psychology.

[Misha]

Greedy is the exact opposite in American english, as opposed to what RW think it is.

Again, you are generalizing about all RW.  I still don't understand who all these women were that were lobbing the term greedy indiscriminately. You met one woman and she was very down to earth. I don't understand where you are coming from and what it is that you are trying to figure out.

[Misha]

Felix8787, 

yeah, that is what really blows my mind.  some RW think that by insulting you and calling you greedy, that you are going to somehow be motivated to do what they want you to do.  must be that Soviet reverse psychology.

Again, who are these women?

[Aloe]

Aloe, I was curious about this when I ready your post so I looked it up.

i looked it up too
http://lingvo.yandex.ru/en?text=greedy&lang=en&search_type=lingvo&st_translate=on

1) жадный

greedy person — жадина


http://www.diclib.com/cgi-bin/d.cgi?p=greedy&page=search&vkb=0&base=&prefbase=&newinput=1&st=&l=en&category=cat3
greedy
   greedy adj. 1) жадный

http://www.translate.ru/Default.aspx/Text
жадный

http://online.multilex.ru/
greedy ['ɡri:dɪ]  a
1) прожорливый, ненасытный
2) жадный (of, for)

http://www.freedict.com/onldict/onldict.php
English     Russian
greedy    жадный


http://translate.google.com/#en|ru|greedy
adjective

   1. жадный




Every single one of those dictionaries translates greedy as stingy at number 1 position. Only some of them also mention greedy in sense of always wanting more, but how are you supposed to know that number 1 meaning isn't very accurate and you should use number 3-4? Only ONE of them mentioned ненасытный as number one meaning.
I don't know where you looked, but i did mean english to russian and russian to english dictionaries, not english to english

[Gator]

Don't be "penny wise, pound foolish." 

Brad, I am not saying this applies to you because I know nothing about your situation.  Nevertheless, file it away.

[kievstar]

Greedy is the same in USA and Ukraine. 

The problem is sometimes American men put the amount of money they spend on a woman in correlation to how much attention the woman gives them.  For example Brad talks about nicer dinners down the road but not first date.  Basically saying I will spend more if you show more.  If they do not like the woman after first date they spent little.  More money in the bank and not wasted.  I saw a high percentage of Foreign men behave this way in Kiev.  This does not go over well with women in any country but does go well with hookers.

[brad5959]

Kievstar,

I am not looking for a woman in Kiev, it's probably out of my league as you say.  and you keep mentioning hookers, why is that?  do you have a lot of experience with those?

[kievstar]

Regarding hookers.  Know many all over Ukraine and there also looking to get married.  Know a couple who married men in past two years and now live in USA.  Husband does not know they also were hookers.

I do not think Kiev is out of your league.  I think if you put a price tag on a woman and what you get from them your going to run into problems.  Every city in Ukraine is very poor but there not desperate women.  Money is a small part of dating league. 

[felix8787]

i looked it up too
http://lingvo.yandex.ru/en?text=greedy&lang=en&search_type=lingvo&st_translate=on

1) жадный

greedy person — жадина


http://www.diclib.com/cgi-bin/d.cgi?p=greedy&page=search&vkb=0&base=&prefbase=&newinput=1&st=&l=en&category=cat3
greedy
   greedy adj. 1) жадный this is the only one that has the word stingy in it as well as the other words that I had already posted.

http://www.translate.ru/Default.aspx/Text
жадный

http://online.multilex.ru/
greedy ['ɡri:dɪ]  a
1) прожорливый, ненасытный
2) жадный (of, for)

http://www.freedict.com/onldict/onldict.php
English     Russian
greedy    жадный


http://translate.google.com/#en|ru|greedy
adjective

   1. жадный




Every single one of those dictionaries translates greedy as stingy at number 1 position. Only some of them also mention greedy in sense of always wanting more, but how are you supposed to know that number 1 meaning isn't very accurate and you should use number 3-4? Only ONE of them mentioned ненасытный as number one meaning.
I don't know where you looked, but i did mean english to russian and russian to english dictionaries, not english to english

This is what I found, it's not english to english LOL as you suggested. And I'm quoting myself here. "Aloe, I was curious about this when I ready your post so I looked it up.
жадный  <-----So unless my english to russian translator is messed up and the english to russian and vice versa dictionary book that I bought in kiev is a misprint, that is what I got. Looks to me like the same exact word.прил

Number one postion? Really, cause that's not what i saw, stingy  was actually labeled at the bottom in alphabetical order.
"Only some mention also mention greedy in sense of always wanting more"? Really?
This is from your link from Yandex: Переведено с английского на русский:

greedy['griːdɪ]
прил.

1) жадный

greedy person — жадина

It was greedy of him to eat up all the candy. — Он пожадничал и съел все леденцы.

His wife was greedy for jewels. — У его жены была страсть к драгоценностям.

Syn:

acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, envious, gluttonous, miserly, rapacious, stingy, voracious

Ant:

generous

2) прожорливый

Syn:

ravenous, voracious, gluttonous

3) ревностный, энергичный, стремящийся

Syn:

eager, keen still don't see stingy

You know what! Who give a shiet!! LOL anyways, I know what it means both in english and russian.

felix8787

[brad5959]

Regarding hookers.  Know many all over Ukraine and there also looking to get married.  Know a couple who married men in past two years and now live in USA.  Husband does not know they also were hookers.

I do not think Kiev is out of your league.  I think if you put a price tag on a woman and what you get from them your going to run into problems.  Every city in Ukraine is very poor but there not desperate women.  Money is a small part of dating league. 

what did you go to prison for in Ukraine??  that would be an interesting story to hear about!!  care to share it with the forum??

[Avis]

Hi guys,

only popped in to say am totally agree with TS, when two people get involved, they should invest both, either emotionally or financially, IMO. I'm not talking about splitting the check equally though. What I mean is a willingness to make relationship work, in a healthy way.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of materialistic people over there and it can't be helped.
Personally, I just stick to my rules, where I don't check out someone else's pocket, don't require anyone to pay for me, or get me nice presents and when they do, I am grateful.

I believe better myself is a simple way to make this world better

[Seeker]

Hi guys,

only popped in to say am totally agree with TS, when two people get involved, they should invest both, either emotionally or financially, IMO. I'm not talking about splitting the check equally though. What I mean is a willingness to make relationship work, in a healthy way.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of materialistic people over there and it can't be helped.
Personally, I just stick to my rules, where I don't check out someone else's pocket, don't require anyone to pay for me, or get me nice presents and when they do, I am grateful.

I believe better myself is a simple way to make this world better

Well said Avis.  Equals and partners is what I think we should be looking for, but that is just me.  Others look for different things.

And the part I made bold... well, I think that should be what we all are trying to do.

Thanks for letting me know I am not crazy.  Okay... even if I am, in these issues, it is nice to know someone agrees with me.   

[Daveman]

PS.  a lot of American women are extremely greedy, and they cannot or will not cook on top of it.  that is why I am attracted to Ukrainian women from small towns, because I think many of them have the traditional values which most american women are now lacking.

That may or may not be true, but don't you think that it could possibly have more to do with the lack of opportunity, inequality, perhaps educational opportunity (though not as much in recent years) in the Ukrainian villages thus creating a 'man dependency' and therefore focus as opposed to any real deficiency or 'lack' in AW?

What I am getting at is... will that traditionally valued Ukrainian Village lady remain the same when you bring her forth from the backwoods Tradition and into an area of increased opportunities? Will her values remain consistent as her environment changes?

[brad5959]

Daveman,

it seems to me that well educated UW or RW with good careers, are still far more traditional than american women.  it seems that most Ukrainian or Russian women have more respect towards men than many american women have.  whether they are from a small town or not.  I can afford to take a woman to dinner etc. in a small town a lot easier than an expensive metropolis like Odessa or Kiev.  hopefully if I get married and bring her over to the US I will be a success story and not a divorce statistic.  time will tell!!

[hemingway]

You are not grasping the meaning of this word, fundamentally. It has nothing to do with dropping $500 in a first date and everything to do with this poim from Walt Whitman that you probably snoozed through in high school English class:

Behold! I do not give lectures, or a little charity;   
When I give, I give myself

Good post!! It could depend on the age range, but the Russian women 40-50 range I have encountered almost always mention sharing good and bad times and making it through with optimism and humor, mutual respect, etc. As a personal example, I know I was raised to think that if I wasn't always making money, I was losing money and failing in life. I consider that an example of a greedy American mindset...never enough stuff. It never really took on me because my childhood was not good and I connected that belief of greed with the negative results I experienced.

[Daveman]

Daveman,

it seems to me that well educated UW or RW with good careers, are still far more traditional than american women.  it seems that most Ukrainian or Russian women have more respect towards men than many american women have.  whether they are from a small town or not.  I can afford to take a woman to dinner etc. in a small town a lot easier than an expensive metropolis like Odessa or Kiev.  hopefully if I get married and bring her over to the US I will be a success story and not a divorce statistic.  time will tell!!

Brad, first off, don't misinterpret - I see nothing wrong at all (as if that should or would matter in the least anyway), even slightly in finding a partner wherever you find her, be it a small village or a major metropolis, other than there can be pretty severe maladies from trying to move a city girl into the country life  

And I hope you will be a major success story as well.  I'm just curious as to how you are defining 'traditional'?  Yes, even the career gals can cook, and do so usually on a regular basis.. I'll give ya that one right off the bat.  They also do seem to take exemplary care of a man they care about, in various and endearing ways -- at least the ones with whom I am/was familiar.  In what other ways do you see them being 'traditional'?  How does your view of their 'greediness" play into your overall perspective of traditionalism?  Not trying to start a debate with you here.. just curious to connect the dots and see where you're coming from with this.

[Daveman]

Hi guys,

only popped in to say am totally agree with TS, when two people get involved, they should invest both, either emotionally or financially, IMO. I'm not talking about splitting the check equally though. What I mean is a willingness to make relationship work, in a healthy way.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of materialistic people over there and it can't be helped.
Personally, I just stick to my rules, where I don't check out someone else's pocket, don't require anyone to pay for me, or get me nice presents and when they do, I am grateful.

I believe better myself is a simple way to make this world better

Wow... what a wonderful attitude.  And so cute too with those big eyes, modern style spiked hair,  and excellent skin tones.  Just too good to be true.. did you photoshop your avatar to make yourself appear 10 years younger? 

[kievstar]

Brad, who said I went to prison for a crime.  I have been inside one.  Also been inside prisons in Mexico and Brazil. 

I have a clean criminal background.   

[Gator]

Brad, who said I went to prison for a crime. 

Kievstar, Brad's comment to you bewildered me as well.  It is a joke perhaps or an attempt to discredit you, or the lack of reading comprehension.