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

[Shadow]

In a restaurant let the waiter empty the bottle, they will take it so no need to put it anywhere.
At home after pouring out the bottle hand it to the host. She will do whatever she sees fit with it. That way you avoid looking odd, and find out if the superstition is present at the same time.

[Misha]

Reading too many agencies tends to make one believe they can get a wife from the fifties. C'mon Brad..... you are too greedy to spend $100 on a date and expect the woman to fall all over you like a cheap coat dispensing massages because you bought her a potato?

Men wonder why RW call them greedy. 

Depends on the woman and her motivations IMHO.

[Misha]

The Slavic Stargate :

Actually, Sandro, the Slavic Stargate is really the Russian banya as in many places in Russia, it was the location where women gave birth, where you took the sick and banya spirits could switch a child alone in the banya with a spirit from the other world if left alone in this truly liminal space between our world and the spirit world  :evil:

P.S. I should specify that this was true in traditional culture (i.e. before the Revolution) but some beliefs still persist in some parts of Russia 

[OlgaH]

Banya was also a beloved place for fortune-telling. My granny told me a story when she was 16 she and girls gathered in banya on Twelfthnight to get to know what husband they would get. The process is: after taking a steam and bathing you should put your naked popa outside. A haired  hand touching your popa means that your future husband will be rich, just a regular hand means your future husband will be most likely a poor guy. Local guys were secretly hiding near banya, and when the fist girl put her round pink popa outside one of the guys grabbed a snow spade and slapped her popa. The rest of fortune-telling was spoiled with screaming and laughing.  

[brad5959]

Reading too many agencies tends to make one believe they can get a wife from the fifties. C'mon Brad..... you are too greedy to spend $100 on a date and expect the woman to fall all over you like a cheap coat dispensing massages because you bought her a potato?

Men wonder why RW call them greedy.  

actually several times I spent $100 or more on a date with her.  but let me guess Manny, your wife can't cook so you're lucky to get a PBJ sandwich, right??  and the correct word is stingy.  btw if a man has to spend too much money on his dates, what kind of woman is she?

[ECOCKS]

One of my happier moments in dating my wife was when she indicated that Puzata Hata (a Ukrainian cafeteria) was an acceptable venue. She was a bit unnerved by going to places like Sam's Steakhouse or Tequila House (both in Kyiv). Heck, she really hated taking taxis.

Here in the States she's gotten more comfortable with the nicer restaurants, quality food and better service standards though.

[ML]

One of my happier moments in dating my wife was when she indicated that Puzata Hata (a Ukrainian cafeteria) was an acceptable venue.

I agree.  That is the sign of a real keeper.  I like nice restaurants, but I am really turned off by the gals who turn their nose up at Puzata Hata and McDonalds when we are hungry and in a hurry.

Flexiblity to meet the situation is a prized trait.

[brad5959]

AJ, I see people put the empty bottle on the floor all the time and only one person pours the bottle.  You probably have not been in Ukraine lately or never lived there.  Also not just a woman thing.  Men do it as well in Ukraine. 

I agree, I was just in Ukraine and my gf's mother put the bottle on the floor.  but she is ethnic Russian, so maybe it is a practice in both countries?

[Manny]

let me guess Manny, your wife can't cook so you're lucky to get a PBJ sandwich, right??  

Actually, my wife, since you asked, is an excellent cook. I just don't think she deserves domestic drudgery all the time.

and the correct word is stingy.  

Stingy, greedy, cheap -- potato, potarto.

btw if a man has to spend too much money on his dates, what kind of woman is she?

Different people have different definitions of "too much money". Too many guys enter this endeavour massively underfunded and/or scared of spending a few bucks for fear of being "scammed". It is the wrong approach. For sure, you don't need to throw money around like a madman, but expecting her to fall at your feet and prove her fifties-style domesticity by demonstrating 376 imaginative things to do with a potato and a tub of smetana too early on carries a bad taste to me.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[wicheese]

One of my happier moments in dating my wife was when she indicated that Puzata Hata (a Ukrainian cafeteria) was an acceptable venue.

Puzata Hata is one of my favorites!  I remember I took a lady I met to one in Kyiv and she pointed to a fancier looking restaurant across the street to which I said, why not.  After about 10 minutes of sitting there without being acknowledged, she looked at me and said maybe it's a good idea to try your option which we did (after finishing she admitted that it was pretty good). 

[ECOCKS]

It's amazing to me how many guys insist you have to play along with the whole "don't dare act like you're greedy because they can't love you unless you're financially well off" thing.

Then they insist that the woman is in no way motivated by financial factors.

Everyone's got criteria.

I heard today from a friend whose wife left him after he stepped down from a six-digit job to pursue some entrepreneurial venture he was wanting to do. He had a health problem last year (persistent but not really all that serious except due to neglect) and an 18 year age gap too, bummer!

[wicheese]

My thoughts on RW using the word "greedy".  

On the other hand, an average american guy, who spends thousands of dollars to get to Ukraine or Russia, and needs to make it there for 14 days or more with enough food, water and shelter, is NOT greedy OR stingy, he is merely frugal and prudent.

I will say that I have been fortunate that most ladies I have met don't use the term Greedy as you described.  I'll use the case of my current girlfriend as she just purchased tickets for us to fly to Finland during my next visit to see her and she'll not be expecting me to pay as she makes a western level income (so money is not an issue) and realizes that I'll pick up the cost of hotels and incidentals which will come to more than the cost of the flight.  But, she will roll her eyes if she's visiting me and I will use coupons when paying (e.g. for a restaurant and take advantage of a 2-for-1) as it's not an issue with getting the best deal (she's all for that) it's that she thinks Americans in general always think about money first and that's what she has an issue with and I would guess the sterotype holds for other Russians as well, hence why they seem overly sensitive if we knowingly try to minimize costs when with them.

Modify addition:  Note, I would never use coupons on dates when I'm first getting to know someone just in case you are thinking I'm totally clueless.

[Misha]

But, she will roll her eyes if she's visiting me and I will use coupons when paying (e.g. for a restaurant and take advantage of a 2-for-1) as it's not an issue with getting the best deal (she's all for that) it's that she thinks Americans in general always think about money first and that's what she has an issue with and I would guess the sterotype holds for other Russians as well, hence why they seem overly sensitive if we knowingly try to minimize costs when with them.

If I passed up an opportunity to save money (i.e. using a coupon to spend less), my wife would likely whack me  She is the one who scolds me if I forget to turn off a light because of all the money I am wasting 

[Manny]

If I passed up an opportunity to save money (i.e. using a coupon to spend less), my wife would likely whack me  She is the one who scolds me if I forget to turn off a light because of all the money I am wasting 

I leave lights on everywhere. She follows me around turning them off asking, "Who will pay?" and reminding me, "We are economical people".

Those small economies pay the occasional restaurant bill I guess. Same as if I freak out about an item of clothing that seems expensive, she will equate it to bottles of wine or cartons of cigarettes*; both of which she doesn't consume. Often times, my consumption of both over a week exceeds the expenditure I questioned. You can't argue with that logic really. 

*(Remember that 20 cigarettes cost $9 in the UK)

[GQBlues]

Then I'm curious, and maybe the ladies can help me out here; why is there a saying in Russia that implies something like (paraphrased)...'A fool who always try to save always end up paying twice'

Curious II: Must your wives / GFs / dates really need to dictate how you should handle your monies, how to save and/or be financially efficient at these stages of your lives? Not trying to be offensive but this thread have me in stitches...

Reminds me of one of the AM married to a Russian woman living close to us here at home. Two years ago when gas prices skyrocketed (relatively) here in LA and the hubby proudly tells me that his wife found a gas station where the gas was always $.15/gal cheaper than the place they usually gas up in. I asked him where it was and he tells me the place. I responded that the place was at least 10 miles from where we are and added by the time he gets back home, he's driven 20+ miles and his truck's MPG is at 17. He's almost blown 1.5 gallons out of his way thinking he saved monies by going there. 22 gallon tank @ $.15/gallon equals to $ 3.30. The price of the gas back then was a whopping $3.89/gal. You do the math, I ask.

All they saw was that whopping $0.15/gal difference in the price...  

[Misha]

Curious II: Must your wives / GFs / dates really need to dictate how you should handle your monies, how to save and/or be financially efficient at these stages of your lives? Not trying to be offensive but this thread have me in stitches...

There is a term for it, it is called marriage  :evil: To be honest, I have yet to meet any RW who did not try to dictate to her husband how he should live But, hey, it makes marriage a true partnership. I try to find ways of saving money, she tries to find ways of saving money, together we usually find the best solutions, the best prices and the best ways to achieve our common goals.

[GQBlues]

There is a term for it, it is called marriage  :evil: To be honest, I have yet to meet any RW who did not try to dictate to her husband how he should live

Well of course. That can be said with any woman regardless of nationality. How that gets factored into each individual marriages wholly depends on how the 'men' in those marriages responds. Would you agree?

But, hey, it makes marriage a true partnership. I try to find ways of saving money, she tries to find ways of saving money, together we usually find the best solutions, the best prices and the best ways to achieve our common goals.

Not sure what you're implying as the act of a true partnership? Saving monies? Or full  subscription to your wives bidding?

When my wife first arrived what I tried to convey to her is to recginize the difference between saving money from being financially efficient. There's a huge differnce. I tried to make sure she undertsood the line between being penny wise and being pound foolish (as the example above). We discuss things over, she doesn't dictate things to me, nor I to her. That is where we're coming from.

This fall in line with the thread of 'Russification' - implying turning your life and home according to your wives cutural ways...that's just too silly for me. If we were to live in Russia, I do as Russians do. Living here, she better be the type to extend the same courteous consideration.

[Fashionista]

Then I'm curious, and maybe the ladies can help me out here; why is there a saying in Russia that implies something like (paraphrased)...'A fool who always try to save always end up paying twice'


Reminds me of one of the AM married to a Russian woman living close to us here at home. Two years ago when gas prices skyrocketed (relatively) here in LA and the hubby proudly tells me that his wife found a gas station where the gas was always $.15/gal cheaper than the place they usually gas up in. I asked him where it was and he tells me the place. I responded that the place was at least 10 miles from where we are and added by the time he gets back home, he's driven 20+ miles and his truck's MPG is at 17. He's almost blown 1.5 gallons out of his way thinking he saved monies by going there. 22 gallon tank @ $.15/gallon equals to $ 3.30. The price of the gas back then was a whopping $3.89/gal. You do the math, I ask.

All they saw was that whopping $0.15/gal difference in the price...  

The saying actually implies "A fool who falls for the lowest price...", which is not a good way to save, and you have a good example to support it

[Misha]

Well of course. That can be said with any woman regardless of nationality. How that gets factored into each individual marriages wholly depends on how the 'men' in those marriages responds. Would you agree?

Yes, I forgot, you are THE MAN  :evil:

Not sure what you're implying as the act of a true partnership? Saving monies? Or full  subscription to your wives bidding?

No, it is called communication  She suggests ways of saving money, we discuss it, and if we both agree, then we do it. If I do not agree with her suggestion, I tell her. She will likely try to demonstrate the validity of her point and I will do the same. We then talk until come to a mutually agreed upon decision. 

This fall in line with the thread of 'Russification' - implying turning your life and home according to your wives cutural ways...that's just too silly for me. If we were to live in Russia, I do as Russians do. Living here, she better be the type to extend the same courteous consideration.

What thread of 'Russification'? I have a different perspective. You take the best of both cultures and make a home that is open to both cultures. What the neighbors or the rest of the country or even the rest of the planet does is of no concern to me 

[Jooky]

she will roll her eyes if she's visiting me and I will use coupons when paying (e.g. for a restaurant and take advantage of a 2-for-1)

It's interesting that you bring this up. In reality, many (most?) restaurants and stores in Russia have discount card programs too. I've dated a few girls that carry a stack of these damn things in their purse.

[GQBlues]

Yes, I forgot, you are THE MAN  :evil:

Oh yeah...and you never were. That's right.

No, it is called communication   She suggests

Funny how conveniently that changed from the word dictate.

To be honest, I have yet to meet any RW who did not try to dictate to her husband how he should live...

Not exactly how I would classify 'communication', but to each his own.

[Misha]

Oh yeah...and you never were. That's right.

Just secure enough in my own masculinity to not have to prove it to a bunch of anonymous strangers on a forum  :evil:

Funny how conveniently that changed from the word dictate.

I used the word "dictate" because you used the word "dictate." Sure, I should have put in quotation marks as it was being used in a lighthearted manner 

Not exactly how I would classify 'communication', but to each his own.

Yes, to each his own.

[brad5959]

Actually, my wife, since you asked, is an excellent cook. I just don't think she deserves domestic drudgery all the time.

Stingy, greedy, cheap -- potato, potarto.

Different people have different definitions of "too much money". Too many guys enter this endeavour massively underfunded and/or scared of spending a few bucks for fear of being "scammed". It is the wrong approach. For sure, you don't need to throw money around like a madman, but expecting her to fall at your feet and prove her fifties-style domesticity by demonstrating 376 imaginative things to do with a potato and a tub of smetana too early on carries a bad taste to me.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

If I want a Stepford wife that is my prerogative! 

[wicheese]

It's interesting that you bring this up. In reality, many (most?) restaurants and stores in Russia have discount card programs too. I've dated a few girls that carry a stack of these damn things in their purse.

Now that you mention it, I was remembering when she was here, but when I was with her back in Moscow she was using a discount card at the grocery store.     

[GQBlues]

Just secure enough in my own masculinity to not have to prove it to a bunch of anonymous strangers on a forum  :evil:

If I passed up an opportunity to save money (i.e. using a coupon to spend less), my wife would likely whack me  She is the one who scolds me if I forget to turn off a light because of all the money I am wasting 

...To be honest, I have yet to meet any RW who did not try to dictate to her husband how he should live

Yeah, you sure got your point across there Bubba..