Women's Profiles

[bigjimst]

Hi, this is my first post in this forum. I'm pretty new to the whole FSU dating scene. I've spent a few months just reading forum sites like this one, very good info btw, and have learned about scams/agencies that scam. I have also been to some of the more trusted sites like a Foreign Affair and Elenas Models (haven't signed up yet). In just browsing these sites and the women's profiles, I've noticed most all of the women: Do Not smoke, Do not drink, Are rarely any larger or smaller than 5'5''-5'6'', and they all seem to have University down for education. I just don't get it. I've been to many European countries, not Ukraine or Russia, but in Germany and Romania I have observed many women drink, and smoke. In France nearly every woman does these things, how can it be that different in Russia? I also thought the econmic situation in these countries also ment women didn't have the op portunites to get higher education? Or does University comparable to a High School Degree in the sates? Are they lying on their profiles? I wouldn't want to invest time and money into a person, just to finally meet them and find out they Do smoke or are three inches shorter than what they claimed. I really hate to lied to. Has this happened to other guys in the past?

Thanks in advance.
-Jim

[Faux Pas]

Welcome bigjimst!

You'll find many of these ladies definition of smoking and drinking to be quite radically different from yours. Smoking and or drinking in a social situation to many in the FSU isn't really looked upon as a habit. Drinking is heavily ingrained into the culture. If you will not tolerate smoking or drinking in any form you should be explicit on that point. There are many women who say they do not smoke or drink and in fact they do not. There will be many who say they do not but, do to some degree.

I'm curious though, why do you consider A Foreign Affair a legit site?

[bigjimst]

I'm curious though, why do you consider A Foreign Affair a legit site?

I'm not sure, I've just read on a few other sites that it is. like http://agencyscams.com/

[Faux Pas]

Agencyscams is part IIRC of the jimslist. The rumor is Jim of jimslist isn't exactly on the up and up. I have read quite a few accusations that he takes money for positive reviews. Personally, I couldn't say either way but, AFA is an agency known to be wrought with scamming practices. It is actually a conglomerate of many agencies. Some of the agencies are good and many of them less than stellar

[GQBlues]

I also thought the econmic situation in these countries also ment women didn't have the op portunites to get higher education? Or does University comparable to a High School Degree in the sates? Are they lying on their profiles? I wouldn't want to invest time and money into a person, just to finally meet them and find out they Do smoke or are three inches shorter than what they claimed. I really hate to lied to. Has this happened to other guys in the past?

Jim-

A healthy number of the population in Russia do in fact smoke. Not all, but what you've seen in EE is comparable to what you'll see in U/R. Agencies cite that AMs/WM are generally prone to be aversive towards smoking thus influences some (many) of what you'll see in many of the profiles. 80% of the women I met the first time smoke, and that was contrary to what they posted in their respective profiles.

As for education, they do in fact are opportuned to get university degrees and education in country. However, as of right now, international recognition value lags behind the western level.

My wife and I met John and his wife once along with another couple of competing agency. Mr & Mrs AFA seem to be nice folks but as far as AFA itself, I've no experience with them. EM I can vouch for.

[molly35ru]

Hi, Jim.
Can't say anything about drinking or smoking though most of my female friends really don't smoke and rarely drink.
Higher education is not so expensive here and women over 30 had the opportunity to get it free as me for example. Besides I don't think women who doesn't have higher education ever thought about such thing as international dating. IMHO. So there's nothing to worry about.
Heght...hmmm...any woman would rather lie about her weight but not height as we can always loose several pounds before a meeting but can't grow taller...lol...5'2''-5'8'' is an average height here...What made you so suspicious about it?

[BillyB]

I really hate to lied to. Has this happened to other guys in the past?

Lying happens. Just because she has a pretty face doesn't mean she's innocent. Sometimes lies aren't intentional. The person who writes a profile lies to themselves about who they are, how tall and how much they weigh.

A lot of people don't like Jim from Jimslist. All though he gets paid for advertising from some agencies, I believe he wants to promote the good and expose the bad. He's in a dirty business so of course he's not going to make many friends. People at this forum tried to make a certification process for good agencies and they took a lot of heat from others.

[Turboguy]

Having made a lot of trips I have pretty much come to the conclusion that when a woman says she doesn't drink she is refering more to vodka.  I think many consider drinking wine and champagne as "not drinking" 

Smoking is pretty common among the women and many who smoke seem to say they don't on their profiles.

Most of the statistics seem such as age, weight and height seem to be pretty accurate.  I can only think of one gal who my have been off.  I think she said she was 5' 11" and was more like 6'2. 

Personally I don't totally agree or disagree with Faux Pas on Jims list.  I do think agencys that advertise with him or sponsor his site do tend to end up with good ratings.  I think his ratings are probably better than nothing as a guide but not totally accurate either.  I think it is based more on his "opinion" than facts and reports.   My impression of AFA is that they do not deserve to be on his white list.  I did meet my first fiancee through AFA.  I have also seen comments from two former employees that were not positive.  If someone had no information to rely on except Jim's list it would probably be better than nothing but I don't think it is even close to the good info you can get on RWD talking to guys with real experience.   Elena's is good.  That is where I met my wife and I rarely hear bad comments about them.

I think most of the gals who say they have a University degree do in fact have one but that does not mean it will always transer here.  Think about a lawyer for example.  The legal system is so different that nothing would apply.  With Doctors the process to get certified here is long and expensive.

[Blues Fairy]

In the past couple of decades, "universities" in Russia have been sprouting like mushrooms; every lousy technical college or professional school has been renamed University for prestige/funding purposes.  Therefore, most people who have graduated from a 4- or 5-year college-level program will claim they have a University degree, though whether it's a true university remains to be seen. 

That most will have gone to college should not surprise you as higher education in Russia is still officially free, for the most part (notwithstanding bribes and such); so going to some sort of college after school is the conventional track for most kids.

[bigjimst]

A lot of people don't like Jim from Jimslist. All though he gets paid for advertising from some agencies, I believe he wants to promote the good and expose the bad. He's in a dirty business so of course he's not going to make many friends. People at this forum tried to make a certification process for good agencies and they took a lot of heat from others.

I appreciate the info from all the replies, thank you. One more question tho, is there a site like Jims List that is more reputable?

[Shadow]

Just to summarize:
Do not always believe what a profile says, it is meant to attract your attention.
If you have strict requirements on smoking, drinking and height, make sure to state them in your first letter.

As for your last question: A forum like this one is the best place to ask opinions. Here are te people using various agencies and telling what they think about them. That is more valuable as recommendations by the owner of a website.

[Turboguy]

I have to agree with Shadow.  I am unaware of any sites like Jim that are any more reliable.  The best information you can get is by reading here and by asking questions and for suggestions about which sites, agencies and resources are good to use.  You will get feedback from those who have no reason to misrepresent the info and if someone does recommend something bad lots of guys will jump in and correct the misinformation.

One thing I would suggest is to avoid any service that makes you pay by the letter.  Go for one where you pay one time and get unlimited or x number of contacts.  Elena's seems to have produced the most marriages and best comments.  Many like MerryDating, FreePersonals.ru, and there are many other good ones.   I would avoid AFA, Anastasia, GlobalLadies (which I believe has changed names and ownership) and other pay per letter sites.

There are some good agencies if you want to go that route.

I would avoid any tours except Jack Bragg's tour which is good and a nice way to go for someone making their first trip.

[kievstar]

Be careful of the Jims list.  He does not do any hands on research.  He will take money.  He also does not speak highly of RW. Just ask him last time he has visited marriage agencies in person in Ukraine or Russia.  There are numerous members here who know more about marriage agencies than Jim.  Would be nice if Jim would do some resera ch and visit some agencies in person.

Comparing France to Russia is like comparing New York City to Houma Lousiana.  There different.

If you want tall women look in the USA and Netherlands as that is where the women are tallest on average. 

Most marriage agencies fill out the profile for the girls so they mark no drink no smoke for them.  I have never met any RW not to drink except one who is allergic. 

[Jumper]

1. Most do have a university education ,it is free.
as someone mentioned the level of acceptance or transfer here is dependent on may factors ,
also there are a lot of what we  here would refer to as a trade school ,or perhaps an institute (devry?) or similar ,that in  a profile would be simply  "university"
In any case many have university degrees.
 
2. 5'5- 5'6' is an average height,
but there are a lot of tall women? 5'9 to 6 ' is not all that uncommon.
 
The FSU is  huge geographic area , you would notice a difference in  averages ,in st pete ,verses almaty .

 3. smoking and drinking ..
the profiles are written to attract ,,

and often they are not free form and a default is selected.

drinking is viewed as "DRINKING"

only as example:
would you write in your own profile you are  a *drinker*?
most people wouldn't.
It implies more than social drinking or having  a drink occasionally.

I would say most RW drink, but are not drinkers, if that helps.

smoking i really have no experience with,
for me it is an absolute deal breaker, so I have never met RW that smoke.

as much as people seem to say RW smoke often,  I do not know any from my past extended family or friends that do, or really observed it as *routine* there, about the same as US.
I know a few local RW that smoke ,but always try and quit.

men there yes ,many smoke!!!
women I would say *some*  (in my view ,which could be wrong)
likely far more than say so in their profile,
if it's a real concern ,state that it is in your profile or correspondence.

[I/O]

Jim:

1) They all drink something sometime but I haven't met many Russian women who are "drinkers".

2) A large number of Russian women smoke sometimes and way too many smoke often.

3) Almost all have a University education but the standard of University can range from World Class (Moscow State and associates for a broad example) to second class Technical Colleges.

Nevertheless, this is what I really want to zone in on.......................

I also thought the econmic situation in these countries also ment women didn't have the op portunites to get higher education?

This just simply isn't so and it also doesn't apply to many other areas of life. In modern Russia I have noted opportunity abounds aplenty and nowadays that extends far beyond Moscow and Saint Petersburg. That opportunity may not present itself to the visiting westerner at the outset but it exists and is growing a strong middle class under current. Sure there are issues and big ones, corruption, glass ceilings, organized crime, government sponsored crime, multiple levels of police all pulling in different directions, lack of accountability all over, ridiculous red tape and the list goes on but...............If you grow up in Russia and have a mind to get on as a number of young ones are now doing, the opportunities to do so exist.

My point is, it is important to throw out the notion of economic disadvantage unless you want to go hunting around the poorest parts and honestly, why would you? You can do that right at home if you choose but are you going to brag to your mates about some back street girl from Nowhereville who had no opportunity so in desperation became your wife to escape? I don't think so. Don't put yourself in that situation across ocean either and if you are not putting yourself in that situation, you need to be thinking that you will be playing on a level (In a broad sense) economic field. Just something to think about and all the best with your endeavors.

[alex330]

when a woman says she doesn't drink she is referring more to vodka. 

I have been told the same thing by numerous women. Drinking refers to hard liquor for the most part.

I was actually surprised at the economic condition on my trips. It was not as bad as I expected it to be. The salaries and living expenses were much higher than I thought. My visits were limited to one city in Ukraine so maybe it differs compared to other regions.

[Aloe]

Hi, this is my first post in this forum. I'm pretty new to the whole FSU dating scene. I've spent a few months just reading forum sites like this one, very good info btw, and have learned about scams/agencies that scam. I have also been to some of the more trusted sites like a Foreign Affair and Elenas Models (haven't signed up yet). In just browsing these sites and the women's profiles, I've noticed most all of the women: Do Not smoke, Do not drink, Are rarely any larger or smaller than 5'5''-5'6'', and they all seem to have University down for education. I just don't get it. I've been to many European countries, not Ukraine or Russia, but in Germany and Romania I have observed many women drink, and smoke. In France nearly every woman does these things, how can it be that different in Russia? I also thought the econmic situation in these countries also ment women didn't have the op portunites to get higher education? Or does University comparable to a High School Degree in the sates? Are they lying on their profiles? I wouldn't want to invest time and money into a person, just to finally meet them and find out they Do smoke or are three inches shorter than what they claimed. I really hate to lied to. Has this happened to other guys in the past?

Thanks in advance.
-Jim

A few years ago, i saw this poll on a russian game/dating website. The question was "Do you smoke"? about 50% replied "yes", about 25% replied "sometimes", and about 25% replied "no". Mind you the website has both men and women, the poll had about 7 thousand votes.

[Aloe]

Like some already pointed out, the best universities in Russia are free. They will even provide a room to live in if you come from a different city. There are many crappy universities that are free as well, but bribery is very very high there. The best ones are really hard to get into, it's not uncommon to have more than 30 people per spot competition (you had to pass entrance exams, until a couple years ago. Now they sort people by their final exams score at high school) There are also very many non-state funded universities that are not free.
It is very common to go to a university after high school. Everyone from my class went on to a university. But many went to a crappy one, and a couple went to good ones.

[Aloe]

There are many universities where you can go (officially for free), never show up for a single lesson or exam and just pay your way through every exam session and get a diploma. I used to live across the street from such a university, it was very popular with the neighborhood kids. Of course some actually showed up and studied, but many just paid

[Olga_Mouse]

I've noticed most all of the women: Do Not smoke, Do not drink,

 

Maybe these sites you have been using just do not give any other options except YES \ NO? And while smoking a pack of cigarettes per day is surely considered smoking here, an occasional cigarette now and then in the cafe or restaurant or club is rather "NO" than "YES"?

FreePersonals.RU are giving the option "Rarely"; Meetic.com - when it goes about smoking - gives not only the option "NO", but "NO - smoke is a problem".

[XMan]

Similar to AJ, smoking is deal breaker for me.  You will find restaurants are packed with smokers, or at least they were in all 5 cities I visited over the past several years.  Indeed, too many people smoke, and often.  But I have met a number of women who do not smoke at all, so it is possible.  Interestingly, many people have the same view that American's had 30+ years ago -- smoking isn't that bad for you, the risks are exaggerated, etc.  Of course, there are plenty of other examples of some strange health ideas, like never drink juice if you have a sore throat. 

I also agree that you should ask about this up front, first or second letter.  For that matter, if you cannot be with a woman who hates polka music or loves cats, good idea to find that out asap as well. 
If you want an FSU woman who doesn't like fashion or shoes in particular, I think you'll have some serious difficulty there.
 

Concerning drinking, I think nearly all women drink occasionally.  But the women I met were particularly concerned about how much the man drinks (which I do very little of). 

As others have said, the quality of education varies wildly. 
I have a couple of friends who graduated from a university of music in Kharkov, and they are masters.  I met a woman a couple of years ago and wonder if she ever showed up for a class, or really had the degree she said. 

[LanaRUS]

     I would avoid AFA, Anastasia, GlobalLadies (which I believe has changed names and ownership) and other pay per letter sites.



I wish to join opinion. I still badly speak English  and consequently I was casually registered on GlobalLadies like a man. But I has put my female photos  . And I am very surprise when 4 women from Ukraine have wished to get acquainted with me 

[LanaRUS]

 

[Rina_G]

I agree with AJ - about height
and about smokie - in Russia as ussualy - women are smoking the most
but you can know it just in real meeting
I know women who said NO smokie and in real meetind hid from their men and smoke - pity
when we met in S-Pb one man said me - you really don't smoke? I see non-smoke russian woman first time 
It think he is wrong a little.
but all women want to give good impression and lie for it - forgive them
It seems to me - level of education you'll see in connection
in any case - you want to collect diploma or to find a special woman?  

[kbluck]

People routinely lie in their online dating profiles right here in America.

http://psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/internet_dating_lies

Why should we expect any different from RW agency profiles? Especially once they have been translated and edited by "helpful" agency workers?

Ignore the profiles. They're well nigh useless. You should assume they bear no resemblance to reality. If you like the photo, send her a note and see how it goes from there.

-- Kevin