What are Russian women REALLY like?

[manuelbloom]

What are their characteristics? Any Russian ladies out there?

[Handycam72]

Welcome to the forum.
 
Your opening question:
The same as any other woman. They are human beings after all.
 
 
 
 

[Ade]

What are their characteristics? Any Russian ladies out there?

Two arms, legs, breasts, the usual.

[acrzybear]

and they speak Russian

[Vaughn]

What are their characteristics?

As varied as any women of any nationality. Some will have nothing in common with their counterparts except language.

[Gator]

What are their characteristics?

All generalizations are dangerous, even this one - Dumas
 
So we are not helping you.  I will go out on a limb and try to point to some areas which could help a novice.  Yet, as you get to know to a RW, you will discover she is unique.   
 
This is my list of the Top 10 qualities that most RW seem to have ("most" could be 51% so YMMV) in comparison with AW:
 
1.  RW are natural skeptics.
2.  They are not pushovers.
3.  They dress up in fine clothes and proper makeup when leaving home (even if going to the store, sport club, etc.) as if they believe  they can be discovered anywhere, anytime by a talent scout.
4.  They enjoy dancing.
5.  Family relationships are important.
6.  They appreciate organic foods.
7.  Big City women differ from village girls, yet even a Big City woman has some peasant ways when compared with a New York City woman.
8.  Some of their healthcare practices differ from standard American practice (e. g., they believe moving cool air such as from an A/C can kill you).
9.  Their dating behavior reflects training by Russian men so they appreciate if not expect gifts and more attention than you probably have given to AW.
10. Their approach to raising kids can differ somewhat from American general practices.
 
There are other differences such as driving ability and sex; however, you need to discover these for yourself.   

[Gator]

Now Manuel, please introduce yourself in the Introductions section.  Seriously, this will help the members answer your questions and it will encourage us to be more receptive too.

[Ade]

All generalizations are dangerous, even this one - Dumas
 
So we are not helping you.  I will go out on a limb and try to point to some areas which could help a novice.  Yet, as you get to know to a RW, you will discover she is unique.   
 
This is my list of the Top 10 qualities that most RW seem to have ("most" could be 51% so YMMV) in comparison with AW:
 
1.  RW are natural skeptics.
2.  They are not pushovers.
3.  They dress up in fine clothes and proper makeup when leaving home (even if going to the store, sport club, etc.) as if they believe  they can be discovered anywhere, anytime by a talent scout.
4.  They enjoy dancing.
5.  Family relationships are important.
6.  They appreciate organic foods.
7.  Big City women differ from village girls, yet even a Big City woman has some peasant ways when compared with a New York City woman.
8.  Some of their healthcare practices differ from standard American practice (e. g., they believe moving cool air such as from an A/C can kill you).
9.  Their dating behavior reflects training by Russian men so they appreciate if not expect gifts and more attention than you probably have given to AW.
10. Their approach to raising kids can differ somewhat from American general practices.
 
There are other differences such as driving ability and sex; however, you need to discover these for yourself.   

I'm not sure I'd agree with 51%. Too many generalizations I'm afraid.

Our OP says he's from Noida. That's Delhi, India AFAIK. Not sure if the "sex" difference is relevant to an Indian. Certainly not to most continental Europeans. Do Americans all do it with the lights out? Clothes on? Backwards?

And my wife is an excellent driver.

[Gator]

I'm not sure I'd agree with 51%. Too many generalizations I'm afraid.

That's okay,  Alexandre.  If you had dated more RW, you perhaps would have some observations to share.  Nevertheless, think of all the qualities that I did not mention.  The unnamed qualities certainly create wide diversity. 
 

Our OP says he's from Noida. That's Delhi, India AFAIK. Not sure if the "sex" difference is relevant to an Indian.

I do not understand your point.  Kāmasūtra is how old?  One thousand years? 
 
 

Certainly not to most continental Europeans. Do American's all do it with the lights out?

Sometimes, beauty is just a light switch away. 
 

Clothes on?

Only when practicing artificial insemination, which is our preferred method just like India. 
 

 Backwards?

 
 
Ask Man Looking.
 
If not obvious by now, my mentioning sex was my attempt at a tease.   

[BC]

There are other differences such as driving ability and sex; however, you need to discover these for yourself.   

Both of which can cause heart attacks.

[Misha]

7.  Big City women differ from village girls, yet even a Big City woman has some peasant ways when compared with a New York City woman.
8.  Some of their healthcare practices differ from standard American practice (e. g., they believe moving cool air such as from an A/C can kill you).

As usual we will disagree as to the former, but to the latter I would add that most Russian women will have a number of deeply held superstitions that their new foreign husband will have to master along with the "health" beliefs involving cold and sickness 

[Ade]

That's okay,  Alexandre.  If you had dated more RW, you perhaps would have some observations to share.  Nevertheless, think of all the qualities that I did not mention.  The unnamed qualities certainly create wide diversity. 

Take a sample of women from any country and most of your observations would match some of them too. And yes, you are right, I've not dated the vast numbers you have Gator but I've successfully married one, worked with some, now have RW family members and many FSUW friends and acquaintances through my wife; not one of your observations is relevant for even half of them except, perhaps, #10.

Generalizing and stereotyping rarely helps anyone form a solid relationship.

I do not understand your point.  Kāmasūtra is how old?  One thousand years? 

You implied that sex is somehow "different" with a FSUW; compared to USA women I guess. I was just pointing out that from the perspective of other places in the world, sex with a FSUW is basically the same, although individual differences may vary considerably like they do in Europe, and India too I would imagine. We are not hung up on sex over here so there's no culture shock for us; and no, I'm not stereotyping Americans, you do a good enough job of that yourself.
 

If not obvious by now, my mentioning sex was my attempt at a tease.

Of course it was. Like every other time it's mentioned, right?

[Ade]

As usual we will disagree as to the former, but to the latter I would add that most Russian women will have a number of deeply held superstitions that their new foreign husband will have to master along with the "health" beliefs involving cold and sickness 

Although several of the FSUW we know have some weird superstitions, I'd still not say most. Yes, some come out with the most bizarre statements and as a nation perhaps they are generally more superstitious than others but most of the individuals we know are less superstitious than the average American I know of, e.g. they are not religious. They also think removing the 13th floor from high rise buildings is silly, and don't think air conditioning will give you pneumonia. 

Here's an amusing ditty for you though; while walking through a large shop in Munich a week ago, my wife heard a RW telling her friend that it's much safer to go "sun bathing" and get a tan under the full moon. 

I will say this, in mine and my wife's experience, if there's one general characteristic that stands out among a lot of FSUW, it is that they are more open to bending and even breaking rules and laws than people in Western Europe. I'd also say that high morals, at least as defined by Western Europe standards, aren't something I'd associate with most FSUW. Thankfully, there are individuals that buck the trend.
 

[Lily]

What are their characteristics? Any Russian ladies out there?

Sure some of us are here welcome to ask the source

On a general note, we are just like all women in the world, our wants and aspirations are quite similar. Individual exceptions apply of course. There would be however a few specific things that mainly stem from our country being apart from the Western world for a long time, and by particularities of Russian lifestyle as well as language and culture. Something like that, to put it very generally.

[Gator]

I will say this, in mine and my wife's experience, if there's one general characteristic that stands out among a lot of FSUW, it is that they are more open to bending and even breaking rules and laws than people in Western Europe.

 
That's the spirit.  I was just about to call you a naysayer.   I will agree that neither of us is an expert, but maybe if we get enough blind Indians examining this elephant we will develop a reasonable pattern, if there is one.  Or at least we can lay to rest some fallacies.
 
 
The number of RW with whom I have spent several days together is limited, yet I imagine it is much larger than your sample size of.....one?  IMO one doesn't know a RW simply by talking to her for a few minutes.  Spend some time together and some patterns start to manifest.  Yet, I was with a RW off and on over seven years and I will admit that what I do not know about her is greater than what I know. 
 
In summary, I will never claim that I know RW.  However, if I were to meet a RW I would expect to encounter certain attitudes, history and behavior.  If she was the complete opposite, I would be surprised yet consider it plausible.
 

Although several of the FSUW we know have some weird superstitions, I'd still not say most. Yes, some come out with the most bizarre statements and as a nation perhaps they are generally more superstitious than others but most of the individuals we know are less superstitious than the average American I know of, e.g. they are not religious.

You seem to be a practicing atheist.  That is your choice and Americans accept it because we believe in freedom of religion (no prayer in school).  Less than half of us attend church every week.  Personally, over the past 35 years I have been to more worship services in Russia than I have in America (3-0).  So my  experience suggests that RW are more religious than the heathens I dated or married in America.  Yet I know this is not true just based on counting the number of active churches.   Thus, my sample size is too small to say RW are more religious.  Some are very religious, some are agnostic if not atheistic.
 

... and don't think air conditioning will give you pneumonia. 

Living in Norway you perhaps do not understand A/C.     How many RW have you taken to the tropics and had a hotel room where the A/C unit blows onto the bed?  My woman's daughter drives my SUV around in very hot and humid Florida with the windows down.   
 

Here's an amusing ditty for you though; while walking through a large shop in Munich a week ago, my wife heard a RW telling her friend that it's much safer to go "sun bathing" and get a tan under the full moon. 

  Once, when calling a UW I had to explain to a UW that it was evening in her city and afternoon in mine.  That concluded that call and all future calls.   Notice that I did not include "high intelligence" as a general trait even though some RW are very bright. 
 
 

I'd also say that high morals, at least as defined by Western Europe standards, aren't something I'd associate with most FSUW. Thankfully, there are individuals that buck the trend.

Agree.  I have seen both types, and I do not know which is predominant.  And it is the case in America too.  I recall years ago telling a young AW that a stiff __________ has no conscience, to which she replied neither does a wet _______.   Our man from India perhaps would see a major moral difference between his and the RW cultures.

[Misha]

Although several of the FSUW we know have some weird superstitions, I'd still not say most.

So, how many Russians do you know again? Likely the several FSUW you know    The next time you go visit a Russian that you do not think is superstitious, try to hand them a gift over the door's threshold    Or give them an even-numbered bouquet and check a while later to see if one flower has not disappeared. Or leave and come back saying that you forgot something... There are a number of superstitions that you likely do not even know exist, and I personally do discover new ones from time to time even after all these years.

Yes, some come out with the most bizarre statements and as a nation perhaps they are generally more superstitious than others but most of the individuals we know are less superstitious than the average American I know of, e.g. they are not religious.

So you are against generalizations, yet state that most Russians are not religious    I am sure Mendeleyev will have a thing or two to say about that, but in the meantime I would note that roughly 80% of Russians have been baptized in Russia. Though they do not attend church faithfully every week, but they are still religious in their own way and this will come through at important times such as a death in a family. Many others will follow the rules for fasting at Lent and other times as dictated by the Russian Orthodox faith and many will attend the occasional mass as well.

I will say this, in mine and my wife's experience, if there's one general characteristic that stands out among a lot of FSUW, it is that they are more open to bending and even breaking rules and laws than people in Western Europe. I'd also say that high morals, at least as defined by Western Europe standards, aren't something I'd associate with most FSUW. Thankfully, there are individuals that buck the trend.

I have to agree with you here.

[Ade]

So, how many Russians do you know again?

Personally? Not that many I'll admit but the sample, which is quite varied, seems to be telling. Of course, I have a wife who personally knows a lot more and, in addition, participates in FSU forums, increasing that number by some.

Likely the several FSUW you know    The next time you go visit a Russian that you do not think is superstitious, try to hand them a gift over the door's threshold    Or give them an even-numbered bouquet and check a while later to see if one flower has not disappeared. Or leave and come back saying that you forgot something... There are a number of superstitions that you likely do not even know exist, and I personally do discover new ones from time to time even after all these years.

Of course there are superstitious people there. I'm not saying otherwise but I think it's a stretch to depict the majority like that.

So you are against generalizations,

Actually, I'm very wary of unwarrented or unqualified generalisations.

yet state that most Russians are not religious    I am sure Mendeleyev will have a thing or two to say about that, but in the meantime I would note that roughly 80% of Russians have been baptized in Russia. Though they do not attend church faithfully every week, but they are still religious in their own way and this will come through at important times such as a death in a family. Many others will follow the rules for fasting at Lent and other times as dictated by the Russian Orthodox faith and many will attend the occasional mass as well.

Yes, Mendeleyev would but he sees Russia through the eyes of the orthodox. But stats can be misleading; on paper, Norway is one of the most religious nations on earth because of the membership in its church. In reality, I know from personal experience that incredibly few believe, and even fewer actually go to church. The stats are skewed because by default, everyone is considered to be a member of the national church unless they specifically opt out, which most don't bother to do. When Russians were asked in a Gallup Poll, "was religion important in their daily lives", only 33% said yes. Whereas, 65% of Americans said yes (and 20% of Norwegians ). My wife thinks that it was a fad for a lot of people to get baptized not because of any real belief.

[vwrw]

Misha is it you in your photo?  When you read somebody’s posts for a while, you may have an image formed in your head about how the  person may look like. My mental image of you resembles the person on your photo. 
 
Last time I was in Russia I felt that Russians dislike or even hate Chinese people and other outsiders that try to settle in Russia. For some reason, they think that outsiders come to Russia with bad intentions to destruct their culture.  They have real big problem with understanding that there is no bad or good nations and that an immigrant may be as good for the  country as a native person. 

Prevalence of superstitions is a fault of their education. I have a bachelor degree from Russia, however, all these superstitions started to seem stupid to me only after I become a student here. I never was a firm believer in superstitions, yet Russian education did not eliminate them from my head. Local education did.
 
Russian education did not instill in me respect for law or ethical principles either. Only after I become a student here, I started clearly see all the importance of following the law until it is officially and lawfully changed even if I do not like the law. Unless I was the only person failed in this respect,   FSUW may be more open to bending and even breaking rules and laws. Being more open to bending and breaking rules does not mean people will necessarily do that.
 
FSUW are less religious. Here I often meet people who seem religious and their actions seem to be guided by religious principles. In Russia, I saw such people only on TV, never in reality. Yes, Russians follow some rituals that may be seen and considered as religious but do they do that because they are religious or because it is customary? My family follows the “religious” rituals at death in family, but they do it because they were tought to do that the way, not because they are religious. We also went for sacred water on a certain day ( I do not remember when, one day in winter), but it was viewed as  a social event rather than manifestation of piousness.   

[I/O]

What are their characteristics?

LOL, when I read these sorts of questions, I'm often reminded of Hank Williams JR (I guess there's some redneck in all of us), If heaven Ain't a Lot Like Dixie, "All those pretty little Southern Russian belles are a country boys dream, they ain't got wings or hallos but they sure look gord to me".

[Misha]

Misha is it you in your photo?

When you read somebody’s posts for a while, you may have an image formed in your head about how the  person may look like. My mental image of you resembles the person on your photo. 

I won't ask if that is a good thing or a bad thing that I resemble the mental image you had 

Prevalence of superstitions is a fault of their education. I have a bachelor degree from Russia, however, all these superstitions started to seem stupid to me only after I become a student here. I never was a firm believer in superstitions, yet Russian education did not eliminate them from my head. Local education did.

So, what is your opinion, do most Russians that you know have a variety of superstitions?
 

My family follows the “religious” rituals at death in family, but they do it because they were tought to do that the way, not because they are religious. 

Do they leave offerings at the grave? Usually food or something else for the spirit of the dead?

[OlgaH]

I have noticed  in Russia and here in the US especially the more a person cries "I love Jesus" and persistently "preaches" the more that person is a religious fanatic with some kind of mental disorder or the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen.

I don't know what it is all about but the US TV full of ghost hunting shows and psychic commercial 

LOL, when I read these sorts of questions, I'm often reminded of Hank Williams JR (I guess there's some redneck in all of us), If heaven Ain't a Lot Like Dixie, "All those pretty little Southern Russian belles are a country boys dream, they ain't got wings or hallos but they sure look gord to me".

  That's a good one,  I/O

[OlgaH]

Prevalence of superstitions is a fault of their education. I have a bachelor degree from Russia, however, all these superstitions started to seem stupid to me only after I become a student here. I never was a firm believer in superstitions, yet Russian education did not eliminate them from my head. Local education did.

I have decided to check an umbrella in a store here in the US. When I opened it all the women who were near me started to scream and they ran away from me covering their heads  Till that case I did not know that opening an umbrella indoors is a bad luck. I guess their local education was not so helpful to them. 

[Gator]

Ade,
 
Somehow I missed your earlier jewel of a post. 
 

You implied that sex is somehow "different" with a FSUW...
 

No, that is what you inferred  (and only if you are dumb enough to believe I was serious).  For the dimwits, I never intended to imply such.   
 
 

I was just pointing out that from the perspective of other places in the world, sex with a FSUW is basically the same, although individual differences may vary considerably like they do in Europe, and India too I would imagine.

Statement of the obvious.  This is proof...you truly did not recognize my mentioning of sex as a tease.....sheeeesh...or just for you, Good Lord!
 

We are not hung up on sex over here so there's no culture shock for us....and no, I'm not stereotyping Americans, you do a good enough job of that yourself.

You wrote this early Sunday morning.  If you are not jesting, might I suggest that your usual comprehension was possibly dulled by drink the evening before?  I trust you did not place an empty bottle on the table.  Ade, you are usually good for some repartee; I never thought matching of wits with you could be so tedious
 
 

Of course it was. Like every other time it's mentioned, right?

You seem to be the one with a hangup.  You definitely were overserved.  When you awaken from you hangover nap, try again. 
 
 
 
May I remind you of the quote in my first post: 
 
All generalizations are dangerous, even this one - Dumas, Alexandre Dumas
 

[brian131]

Except for email, I've only known two.

One was my Russian professor.  She was a very beautiful, patient, classy, elegant woman and one of my favorite teachers.  She was a lot like my other favorite teachers:  the American woman who taught my English literature class and a Taiwanese woman that taught me Chinese.  The American and Chinese woman dressed like the Russian stereotype you see here.  The Russian dressed nicely, but appropriately for the classroom.

Another was a friend of a friend.  She must have been the worst nightmare her American husband ever created for himself.  He obviously always thought of her as a Russian woman.  If he had ever thought of her as just a normal woman he would have run away screaming.  I can show you in my hometown where you can go meet a ton of American women just like her.  It's a nice little bar downtown that the doctors and lawyers like to go to after work.

[Muzh]

Manuel has left the building.