How Has The Arrival of Your FSU Woman Changed YOU?

[Voyageur]

I have seen many articles and posts about the change in the ways of an FSU woman when she arrives in the west. I just thought that I would start a post that asks: how have you changed?  How has living with her cultural ways day-after-day affected your outlook?  Of course, all of us married men have been to the FSU during courtship and trying to find our wives and have different reasons for seeking a wife from the FSU.

Now that my wife has been here a while, I thought that I would list some of the changes I have noticed in myself and ask others what thas changed in them.

1. I am slightly ashamed of the people of the US, when I go to Walmart or other public places. Especially when I see how people are dressed. I must admit that I never really paid too much attention to looking good :? in everyday tasks before my wife and her child arrived from Russia. But now it is impossible to wear a paint-stained sweatshirt and jeans with holes in them when they are looking so "accurate" and dressed so well. So I have adopted another, higher, standard for appearances in public.

2. It is very natural for me to remove my shoes immediately when I come in the door from outside. If I have to run to the garage and neglect to put on a jacket (if I am in the middle of a home improvement project), I am ready to be scolded for not dressing warm enough.  So I find myself thinking that I better take more care with myself.

3. I  I know exactly whom the real "head" of the household is. I make no decision on my own - (unlike my previous marrige to an AW). It makes for a more calm life this way .  We make decisions by consensus, not in isolation.

4. I am constantly amazed at professional men, such as Family Doctors, Dentists and Optometrists that take an undue and unseemly interest in my wife.  They ask too many personal questions for my taste and hers also.  I have learned to ignore them, but this really does take some getting used to. 

5. Last but not least -  I have so little time at home that I am not able to read this forum except when I am goofing off at work. There are too many improvements to make.

Maybe I am still in the Honeymoon phase and things will change in the future.

[Todd]

Good question...

Kate has been here for just over 6 months, but, last week, left to go  home in Belarus to finish her thesis.  She will be gone for 4  months.  Blech!  Of course, it is sometimes easier in  someone's absence to really understand what they mean to you....
Here are someways Kate has changed me.

1.  I think that I was expecting too little of women prior to  this.  In the 18 months that we have known each other, Kate has  never lost her temper and has always been quite sweet, loving, and  patient with me.

2.  We seem to laugh a great deal more than I did on my own. 

3.  I can't seem to find anything around the house...and I'm not even sure what half the new stuff in the kitchen does.

4.  I eat at home a great deal more.

5.  I'm looking at this country in a fresh new way...through her eyes...

6.  I pay more attention to her part of the world than I used to.

7.  I've  realized how little Americans studied geography in school.

8.  People being nosy isn't as much of a problem here, but Kate  des get hit on a great deal in Boston.  Kate has far more patience  than I do about it.

[pocoloci]

First, interesting topic and yes I have changed.  I regognice the thing about cleanliness with a smile.

But to me it was a big aha to learn about the various regions and how Russia is organised politically - I think if more people knew some problems would be avoided.

The concern I have is the view on people though - that have made be aware of that we truly are blessed.

Then, the culture - so well read so much knowledgem such an interest in serious topics - I am changung though I have a long way to go when it comes to ballet;)

Eating habits is another - we mix in ways most westerners would find strange.  All this after half a year - yes I am changing and it is ok mor the most of it.