Learn some basic Russian, it will help a lot!

[Eduard]

I think that one thing that is very important to do is to learn as much Russian as possible if you are planning to date, court and marry a RW.
It is highly unlikely that you will be able to have a fluent conversation even in a couple of years of learning, but even just the fact that you try, will surely win you some points with any RW. I'm a native Russian speaker so I will try to help you learn some basics here.
Let's start with "hello".
The easiest one to pronounce is "Привет" [pree-vyet] = Hi

then you have a more formal  "Здравствуйте" [sdrah-stvooj-tyeh] = Hello

Добрый день  [daw-bryj  dyen']  = Good day

Доброе утро [daw-bro-yeah  ooh-trah] = good morning

Добрый вечер [daw-bryj  vyeh-chehr]  = good evening

[Eduard]

Девочка [dye-vahch-kah] = a girl

девушка [dye-voosh-kah]  = a gal

you usually want to address young women as девушка [dye-voosh-kah]. I even address older women that way because it makes them feel nice and it usually puts a smile on their face. When dealing with beaurocrats and other situations (like customs female officers at an airport), putting a smile on her face could score you some serious points  and make things go a lot smoother.

[Eduard]

Очень приятно познакомиться! [awchyen'  pree-yaht-nah   pah-znah-kaw-me-tsah] = Very nice to meet you!

[ML]

Thanks  for your help Eduard.  Please continue.

However, not to be a wet towel here, let's think of this from viewpoint of the typical AM or Britisher, or Australian.

(Most) from these countries are not planning to live (permanently) outside of their country.
Thus, they and their woman will  be living in an English speaking country.

Now factor in that for men, who are on the ball (which is what the  women are looking for) and have good careers, time is a scarce resource.

Sure such men could learn some of a foreign language, just the same as they could learn how to knit, become an expert in Scrabble, train to be one of first civilians into space, etc., etc.

But, since those activities will not enhance their careers, it makes little sense to do them; again I am speaking about those whose time is a scarce resource.

Add to that, the fact that their woman must eventually (sooner the better) become proficient in English; and it makes no sense at all for the man to learn a foreign language.

Go with the women who have already shown some initiative by learning the world language.

Yes, I know we can come up with a hundred reasons why it would be 'nice' to learn some of the language of your woman . . . and those reasons will be valid for men without great career opportunities and for whom time is not a scarce resource.

[Vinnvinny]

I think that one thing that is very important to do is to learn as much Russian as possible if you are planning to date, court and marry a RW.

Sorry Ed but I don't agree. Yes, if you speak fluent or very good Russian then it wont do you any harm but ....

I speak about 10 words and I have no problem whatsoever meeting and dating ladies.

I have met a number of guys who speak reasonable Russian and some struggle and some don't. I have also met 2 brothers from New York whose background was similar to yours in that they were born in Russia, but now lived in the USA and they were fluent in Englsh and Russian. They were struggling in the dating game.

Ladies look for a decent man, period. If you cant speak a work of the lingo then you will do well if you look after yourself, dress clean and smart and have a personality. If you are a looser then speaking Russian wont help you one bit. 

[Eduard]

From my experience, Vinn, I've seen women really appreciate that a WM is at least making an effort, even if he can only say 20 or 30 words. It shows respect for her culture IMO, and you will make friends a lot faster with her family and other people around you if you show that you are at least trying. Off course you may disagree but then I don't imply that you must learn anything here. This is a voluntary course. If any one wants to learn it's their prerogative, fair enough? But if all of you guys think it's a waste of time and just polluting the forum with unnecessary information I will surely stop. Let me know.

[OlgaH]

From my experience, Vinn, I've seen women really appreciate that a WM is at least making an effort, even if he can only say 20 or 30 words. It shows respect for her culture IMO, and you will make friends a lot faster with her family and other people around you if you show that you are at least trying.

I tend to agree with you, Ed. Even my mother and friends appreciate when Robert tries to say something in Russian and learns some new phrases, as he appreciate when my mother try to tell him something in English. When he traveled to Russia as a tourist some basic Russian phrases and words were very helpful to him.  

[ML]

From my experience, Vinn, I've seen women really appreciate that a WM is at least making an effort, even if he can only say 20 or 30 words.

I do know maybe 50 words.

But in obverse to what you say, a few FSU women have told me to stop when I use some of their language.

They say:  "The important thing is for me (them) to practice English as much as possible."

The idea being that any of my messing around with their language will only take away time from their learning more English.

Also, tons of info can be learned about any region of the world's culture, geography, history, politics, etc., by studying in one's native language.

Impress your woman by talking to her (in English) about these things you have learned about her country.

[remiel6]

my Russian is extremely limited, i mean extremely. To me it is important to remember that it is not just your lady friend you are talking to, but other people as well. At dinner, taxi, airport, wherever you go and having even a minor knowledge makes these encounters much easier.

[Vinnvinny]

From my experience, Vinn, I've seen women really appreciate that a WM is at least making an effort, even if he can only say 20 or 30 words. It shows respect for her culture IMO, and you will make friends a lot faster with her family and other people around you if you show that you are at least trying. Off course you may disagree but then I don't imply that you must learn anything here. This is a voluntary course. If any one wants to learn it's their prerogative, fair enough? But if all of you guys think it's a waste of time and just polluting the forum with unnecessary information I will surely stop. Let me know.

Now, now Ed ... dont get over sensitive. 

My point is yes, a few words in Russian will of course be appreciated but it isn't a deal maker or breaker. In my experience there are far more important things a guy should be focusing on.

I had the memorable pleasure of being invited to a English class in Lugansk last week. During my 'interrogation' I made the point whilst trying to encourage them that once they had mastered English then its a passport to the World. With the exception of the touristy spots in Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus then speaking Russian will be of little use to them outside the FSU. However, speak a little English and you will be never far from someone who can understand you no matter where you are on this planet. Everyone nodded in agreement.

I tend to agree with you, Ed. Even my mother and friends appreciate when Robert tries to say something in Russian and learns some new phrases, as he appreciate when my mother try to tell him something in English.

To follow my point then I think if your mother and friends were asked to name the top 20 positive things about your husband, why he is a good man, why he is a good match for you etc, then his attempts at speaking Russian would be well down the list. Its nice, its icing on the cake but speaking some basic Russian isnt going to help a WM find a wife. 

[OlgaH]

Its nice, its icing on the cake but speaking some basic Russian isnt going to help a WM find a wife.  

For me it is not an icing, though I agree it is very nice and pleasant, and I'm not talking just about finding a wife.  As I already said knowing some basic Russian words and phrases were very helpful to mu husband when he traveled to Russia before we met.  

In my opinion the simple phrases to a woman "dobry den'! Pozvoltye predstavitsya..." ("skazhite, pozhaluista, kotory chas" and so on) attract her attention and invite to conversation. Knowing Russian on the level as Misha knows definitely will be helpful in finding your Russian speaking life partner as it gives more options avoiding all the bridal agencies, of course it is just in my Russian woman's opinion. Your mileage may vary.  

[khelkhov]

All of this is just   

Just me...  I'd rather to walk Misha's path to communicate in the Russian language very fluently...  I'm doing it for two reasons: 1) it is for my business and its future projects and 2) being able to be a part of my future girl's family.  I would rather to roll up my sleeves and do all of my best as possible to be able to speak her language and be a wonderful family member in my girl's family.  I just don't want to feel like I'm being left out when I'm with my girl's family.  Plus, It would relieve a lot of my girl's effort to be a translator between my English speaking family and her Russian speaking family.  I would join her to work together to build the bridge between my family and her family.  Plus, I welcome her to express some beautiful words out of her heart in her native tongue.  I have something that I can do to surprise her a big time, and it involves speaking to her in Russian...   

I know speaking Russian is not necessary a big factor when finding a Russian wife, but it is really nice if any English speaker learn how to speak her language.         

I welcome Ed's effort to teach English speakers some Russian..  Please let him teach us some Russian just to help everyone here on RWD. 

[OlgaH]

I would rather to roll up my sleeves and do all of my best as possible to be able to speak her language and be a wonderful family member in my girl's family.  I just don't want to feel like I'm being left out when I'm with my girl's family... Plus, I welcome her to express some beautiful words out of her heart in her native tongue.  I have something that I can do to surprise her a big time, and it involves speaking to her in Russian...   

 

[Eduard]

Браян - очень хороший парень [Brian aw-chyen'   hah-raw-shij    pah-ryen'] = Brian is a very nice guy

[khelkhov]

Браян - очень хороший парень [Brian aw-chyen'   hah-raw-shij    pah-ryen'] = Brian is a very nice guy

спасибо, Эд!!!  

My name can be spelled either Брайан or Браян...  I welcome hearing my name in the Russian accent.  I thought it sounds so cute especially the "р" sound...  I prefer hearing a Russian "r" that sounds like a machine gun over the typical  English "r"...

    

[remiel6]

 

For what its worth my wife hates the English "r" by far her least favorite sound in English to make

[acctBill]

Now, now Ed ... dont get over sensitive. 

My point is yes, a few words in Russian will of course be appreciated but it isn't a deal maker or breaker. In my experience there are far more important things a guy should be focusing on.

I had the memorable pleasure of being invited to a English class in Lugansk last week. During my 'interrogation' I made the point whilst trying to encourage them that once they had mastered English then its a passport to the World. With the exception of the touristy spots in Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus then speaking Russian will be of little use to them outside the FSU. However, speak a little English and you will be never far from someone who can understand you no matter where you are on this planet. Everyone nodded in agreement.

To follow my point then I think if your mother and friends were asked to name the top 20 positive things about your husband, why he is a good man, why he is a good match for you etc, then his attempts at speaking Russian would be well down the list. Its nice, its icing on the cake but speaking some basic Russian isnt going to help a WM find a wife. 

Vinny it's true that being able to speak only a few words/phrases of Russian isn't going to make any more Russian women available to you.  However having at least a conversational ability in Russian will definitely increase the number of women that are available to you and with whom you can speak.

English is definitely the working language of the world but that doesn't do you any good when you're married and you can't communicate with her non English speaking family. My wife's family is large and when we lived in London we visited them often. Few members can carry on anything more than a simple conversation in English.  Speaking Russian means that I know her family members and they know me something that wouldn't happen if you didn't have a common language.

I'm also not tied to my wife when travelling in the FSU.  I've been in Russia and other former FSU countries with non Russian speakers and most of them are constantly asking me to translate something or act as an interpreter. It is far easier for someone who speaks Russian to travel around the FSU than for someone who doesn't.  So unless you're saying that once you're married you not going to travel to the FSU then speaking Russian is going to make your life easier. 

[khelkhov]

Vinny it's true that being able to speak only a few words/phrases of Russian isn't going to make any more Russian women available to you.  However having at least a conversational ability in Russian will definitely increase the number of women that are available to you and with whom you can speak.

English is definitely the working language of the world but that doesn't do you any good when you're married and you can't communicate with her non English speaking family. My wife's family is large and when we lived in London we visited them often. Few members can carry on anything more than a simple conversation in English.  Speaking Russian means that I know her family members and they know me something that wouldn't happen if you didn't have a common language.

   Exactly! 

[Vaughn]

Knowing the language well enough to carry on a conversation with practically anybody has been
indispensable to my overall experience in the FSU. I am able to travel alone, shop alone, explain
what I'm seeking, where I must go. A solid understanding of numbers, their endings and useage
has been very valuable as well, in fact - I don't understand how folks can get by without it.

Bottom line is that no, it is NOT absolutely necessary to find your second half, but it sure opens up
a world of possibilities. My wife, a former non-English speaker, comes from a large family, practically
none of whom speak anything but Russian and a smidgen of Tatar. There's nothing quite so gratifying
to me than to be able to speak with them - without the need for an interpreter.

I encourage Eduard to carry on with the lessons - nobody's forced to study, but those who want to
learn a little (or a lot in the long run) could find this thread a resource of great value.

[Jack]

Vaughn, I agree, men who can speak fair to decent Russian will enhance the number of Russian ladies they can meet as well will be less dependent on others.  I would encourage all men to try to learn Russian but from past experience, few, maybe 10%, will.

I started to learn several years ago, still have the Pimislur tapes but never followed thru beyond some basic words.

I have found over the last several years that even though I do not know any Russian I have little trouble getting around, getting things accomplished.  Today a great many people in Ukr/Rus are able to speak a little of the worlds second language,English.   Plus we, myself and all the men, will all have cell phones.  If anyone get's lost call one of our support ladies, hand the phone to the taxi driver. She will give the taxi driver the guys flat address, or the address of the lady/cafe/restaurant/night club/disco/market he is trying to find.  Also more and more signs are being written in English and even I have learned the Russian words for bar, cafe, chicken, pharmacy, toilet. And after all, that's close to all the important things we might need, yes? 

[Vaughn]

I would encourage all men to try to learn Russian but from past experience, few, maybe 10%, will.

That's probably an accurate estimate.

... more and more signs are being written in English and even I have learned the Russian words for bar, cafe, chicken, pharmacy, toilet. And after all, that's close to all the important things we might need, yes? 

I like how you snuck "chicken" into that group - LOL !!  A few others of importance are the ATM ( БАНКОМАТ ), city bus ( АВТОБУС )
taxi ( ТАКСИ )....

[Eduard]

Ручка  [rooch-kah] = a pen

Карандаш [kah-rahn-dahsh] = a pencil

Можно у вас одолжить ручку? [maw-zhnah  ooh   vahs  ah-dahl-zhyt'  rooch-koo]  = may I borrow your pen?

[tfcrew]

 

I welcome Ed's effort to teach English speakers some Russian. Please    let him teach us some Russian just to help everyone here on RWD.  

Edward has a RUAVD thread..
[If I can take liberty]

http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php/topic,3482.msg180289.html#msg180289?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

There are many instruction posts there too.

**I'll modify this to relate that there are some 57 pages of phrases in that thread [started actually by the moderator]

[wicheese]

From my experience, Vinn, I've seen women really appreciate that a WM is at least making an effort, even if he can only say 20 or 30 words. It shows respect for her culture IMO, and you will make friends a lot faster with her family and other people around you if you show that you are at least trying. Off course you may disagree but then I don't imply that you must learn anything here. This is a voluntary course. If any one wants to learn it's their prerogative, fair enough? But if all of you guys think it's a waste of time and just polluting the forum with unnecessary information I will surely stop. Let me know.

Ed,

I'm in full agreement with the highlighted words as I'm always being asked when I'll learn more Russian.

[SANDRO43]

Можно у вас одолжить ручку? [maw-zhnah  ooh   vahs  ah-dahl-zhyt'  rooch-koo]  = may I borrow your pen?

I hope you'll spare us the Russian equivalent of "La plume de ma tante est sur la table" .