Not speaking Russian..

[Misha]

Which is something I do not even try. It does not depend on knowledge you are a foreigner, but on how much of the local habits they believe you know.

Local habits? I don't quite understand the point you are trying to make here.

[Misha]

Ha, doesn't always work.    Perhaps there is something in the facial expression they can read...

You can usually tell who is a foreigner walking down the streets of Russia just by the way they walk

[mendeleyev]

I totally forgot that there are NO English signs in Moscow subway!

This is the summer of change, Oooops. Moscow is both preparing for the influx of visitors for Sochi 2014 but also working to make the city more friendly for international tourists at any season so signs are being adapted but such a large system cannot be done overnight.

[GQBlues]

To the OP:
 
Bottom line is this, you can learn a few Russian words and phrases, along with learning the alphabet, but understand that unless you're an incredibly talented linguist, or you have a decade to master the language, chances of you NOT being mistaken as a foreigner when you visit Russia or Ukraine is ZERO. So all in all, best be prepared to be separated with a few more rubles/grivna during your travel in these countries.
 
werebear, while I admire your intent to learn another language, but IMHO, unless you plan to move/live in Russia for a while, what's the point of learning the language? In a different thread, you made mention of the fact you're of a native American indian descent. If so, be advised that it would behoove you to understand that Russia, especially in Moscow and St Pete, the locals have a very strong nationalist attitude especially towards those who is a bit darker shaded than pale.
 
Curious...if you 'ex' moved to Moscow - what are you going to do there?
 
I'm not saying this about the two of you, but so many men before you two have come and gone through here for years professing their love and fascination for the culture, the language, and all the other yadayadayadas those men feel they need to come up with, when all along it really is all about getting laid.
 
So just make you lives simpler and be honest with yourselves. This way you can just concentrate your energy towards the ultimate course with as little or no interference and noise.

[werebear]

I am well aware of the bias towards people that are less then pale. I would like to give you a little background on me. I have survived two strokes, which has made me very determined to succeed at things that I do. I don't have any permanent physical damage but there is some memory damage so by learning a new language it helps me to get past the limitations that I have. As for your question about what I'm going to do in Moscow even though my ex lives there. I am going to see the city that she always talked about for myself, and build memories that I have experienced, not looked at photos, videos of someone else. Now for the fun part. Have you ever heard of Peryonie's disease? If not, allow me to enlighten you. This disease causes a man to not be able to get an erection due to scarring in the chambers that allow you to get an erection. In my case I feel that the treatment is worse then the cure. So since I can't "get it up", how am I going to get laid? I can only speak for myself here but my ultimate course is to see and do things that I have never taken the time to see or do. In case I haven't made myself clear I am NOT going to the FSU to look for a wife, I am going because I want to go.

[GQBlues]

I am well aware of the bias towards people that are less then pale...

I don't know about you, but 'less' is NOT synomous to 'darker' in my world. You mentioned being from the south, is this so in yours?
 

... I would like to give you a little background on me. I have survived two strokes, which has made me very determined to succeed at things that I do...

So maybe laying off animal meats in your diet won't be too much of a challenge for you to help prevent another attack or episode, no? Maybe even a little exercise?
 

...I don't have any permanent physical damage but there is some memory damage so by learning a new language it helps me to get past the limitations that I have....

I see. So technically, learning Russian for you is of clinical reasons then , yes? Is there another reason or is that the only reason?
 

... As for your question about what I'm going to do in Moscow even though my ex lives there. I am going to see the city that she always talked about for myself, and build memories that I have experienced, not looked at photos, videos of someone else....

That's one of the things I was able to accomplish myself too during my first tour to Moscow. I walked up and down Red Square and the Kremlin and I've also gazed at Lenin's body. Amongst other notable places, of course. Matter of fact, I used this site before and it proved to be incredibly helpful for me, especially the input of those who had been there and those of the local residents. Look through it, it may also prove useful for you...a heapful of questions and answers in that site.
 
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Russia/Gorod_Moskva/Moscow-592480/TravelGuide-Moscow.html
 
But my primal objective was to meet some women and dare I say, never lost my objective. Which was, to brave new world, to seek out new life and civilization - to boldly go where, well, to meet ladies that may lend reason for future possibilities in my life. The boring stuff, you know. But I ddn't believe I needed to learn Russian for the exercise anymore than Capt. Kirk having the need to learn Klingon.
 

... Now for the fun part. Have you ever heard of Peryonie's disease? If not, allow me to enlighten you. This disease causes a man to not be able to get an erection due to scarring in the chambers that allow you to get an erection. In my case I feel that the treatment is worse then the cure. So since I can't "get it up", how am I going to get laid?...

Well, FWIW, we have so many senior members here that are undoubtedly troubled by the same state you suffer from, albeit not necessarily by way of Peryonie's disease but rather, well, shall we say natural process of aging (?) - thus it may surprise you to know it doesn't really stop them from pulling for their Russian visas. 
 

....I can only speak for myself here but my ultimate course is to see and do things that I have never taken the time to see or do. In case I haven't made myself clear I am NOT going to the FSU to look for a wife, I am going because I want to go....

Which really peaked my curiosity to begin with. You see, RWD is, by all intent and purposes - an MOB discussion site designed mostly for the purposes of  *dating/marriage* between people from the site specific regions, as is in this case - FSU. That is, if you haven't yet noticed this by now, or the period in which you first stumbled upon the site and lurked prior to your subscription and first post, Kemo sabe.
 
So, what brought YOU to the site and what prompted you to sign up if *dating/marriage* WAS NOT in your itinerary?

[werebear]

In the interest of "civil discourse" I will only say one thing.  Kemo sabe? really? That was soooo 1972.

[ML]

Note:  Kemo sabe has various meanings, according to who is saying it, and to whom.

Most commonly, it means "trusted friend."
However, it can also be used sarcastically to mean just the opposite.
And, in some circles it means "horse's ass."
Also, in England I am told it might mean "Mother focker."

So quite a dangerous couple of words to use!!   

[GQBlues]

In the interest of "civil discourse" I will only say one thing.  Kemo sabe? really? That was soooo 1972.

Why edit it? I like the original version much better. You were trying hard to be honest. You almost had me convinced, dude.
 
Anyway, I had an ex-GF before who was actually half-Commanche. She's freaking gorgeous, man. IIRC, she taught me - U Kamakutu nu. Supposedly it's pronounced Ahh kamekah-tah nah with a Japanese-like vocation only a little softer on the throat. I loved the way it sounded everytime she said those words to me. So darn sexy sounding I couldn' help but -you know - her everytime. Of course, in return, I taught her to say Mahal Kita or Ini-ibig kita. The latter, I warned her, is a bit more....dare I say, possessive? Yuck! I just hate possessive women as much as I hate helpless submissive ones. It's too bad because she was so darn holacious, man.
 
In any event, werebear (I don't remember what movie it was when Cher explained how NA Indians got their names) is your name supposed to mean you used to be a bear?
 
I digress.
 
Plague build-up in our bloodstream apparently is mainly caused by animal meat-based fatty diet. It may be worthwhile for you to know that considering you already had a couple of strokes. At least according to Dr. Campbell in the documentary movie titled: "Forks over Knives".
 
As for getting pissy, nah, the Batman never gets pissy. The HULK does, I think. You'd never ever want to piss that boy, man. Had he been an Indian, he'd likely be named, what? Angrybear? Maybe ReallyPissedoffBuffalo?
 
Anyway, yeah, do stick around. I didn't mean to imply you shouldn't be here as you'll never know in the time you spend admiring/learning Russian culture, heritage, history, language and all that good stuff - you may meet a Russian woman along the way who may cause your blood to flow a bit faster. Then you'd be known as StiffBear. She may have to start asking you why you always carry your tomahawk in your pocket, man. Then you'd wonder if this is normal in her culture to be asking such silly questions.

Bwallah! That's why sites like RWD exist.

Inevitably, it all comes down to the same thing after all, Demwimmen. Oh and btw...a color chart is technically not a race, in case you didn't know that. Color charts aren't human, at least not in my world.

[Shadow]

Local habits? I don't quite understand the point you are trying to make here.

I will give you an experience. On a holiday to Lissabon I was never treated as a tourist, even in the most touristic areas. They did see me being a foreigner, as most people can easily recognize and Portugese is rather complicated to speak.
However as I dressed 'business' and moved alone but being able to read the menu's in Portugese, the 'extra charges' many tourists complain about were never even tried.
On the airport for the trip back I spoke with a fellow countryman who lived there and he told me his first impression was I was an expat. Guess somehow I manage to get  an aura of being local.
Reminds me of a visit to the Louvre where a group of Japanese took photographs of me while mumbling 'professor' and even a guard stepped away when I by accident examined the hieroglyphs too closely.
Rather odd security at the Louvre, they check everyone when going in but nobody going out. Seems they are more worried about someone taking exhibits inside as they are about someone taking them home...

[ML]

not be able to get an erection due to scarring in the chambers that allow you to get an erection. In my case I feel that the treatment is worse then the cure. So since I can't "get it up", how am I going to get laid?

Each case may be somewhat different, but I know I am not the only male that knows that an erection is not necessary to achieve orgasm.  Erection only helps insertion in tight (or semi tight) places.

Mouths are not tight or semi tight until required. 

So with willing partners, both man and woman can experience good sexual outcomes.

And before the assaults come; I knew this back in my early 20s when in an otherwise 'spent' condition.

Concerning current ED drugs, which may not help for the condition OP wrote about, they are very popular with young males for their 'steel like' results and quicker recovery time.  I do have a prescription for Cialis (which I find is superior to Viagra and Levitra); but I do not actually need it.  I only 'infrequently' pop a pill (actually half a pill) when planning a 4 hour or so session for the benefit of my female partner.  For me, half a pill has effects that can carry on for 3 days.  No . . . not a continued 3 day erection . . . but the 'steel like' effect can be re-attained, if desired, during this time period.

[Note:  If you get prescriptions for any of these drugs, ask your MD to prescribe the highest dosage.  Reason - - - the cost is the same regardless of the mg - - - at least for all the pharmacies in my area.  Then, get yourself a pill splitter and cut them in half or even in a quarter, etc.]

Also, ED drugs only help blood flow to needed areas when the man has the desire.  They do nothing to increase desire for sex, so are no cure for low libido in either men or women.

[Boethius]

I disagree that this forum is solely about marriage/dating.  I don't think that is Dan's vision, either.

[SANDRO43]

On a holiday to Lissabon I was never treated as a tourist, even in the most touristic areas.

Only mercifully as possibly retarded, since it was Lisbon ?

[mendeleyev]

I disagree that this forum is solely about marriage/dating.  I don't think that is Dan's vision, either.

Agreed and I wouldn't be here if it was. I've participated nominally in a few other Russian history forums but frankly they're populated primarily by tired old academics who seem (although not really) to be from the 1800s and act as if 1941 was yesterday. Nor do they understand modern day Russia. Members here are much more interesting.

[werebear]

I edited it for one reason. That reason was because I realized that even though you are making fun of both me and my heritage, I refuse to lower myself to your level. So please feel free to show me how superior you are to me and continue making comments about me, my name, and my heritage. If we were to pass on the street would we recognize each other? Nope, but OMG let me post in here and you're all over it like a chicken on a june bug. So, as I had edited out of my last post, I hope that you have a wonderful day and a great week.

[Ooooops]

This is the summer of change, Oooops. Moscow is both preparing for the influx of visitors for Sochi 2014 but also working to make the city more friendly for international tourists at any season so signs are being adapted but such a large system cannot be done overnight.

Moscow had much longer then overnight to adapt, but chose not to.   To think about it, Moscow is the only big city with a subway that I know that doesn't have any English (read "international") signs - how provincial...   

[Gator]

Moscow had much longer then overnight to adapt, but chose not to.   To think about it, Moscow is the only big city with a subway that I know that doesn't have any English (read "international") signs - how provincial...   

If you think that bad, how about a country that refuses to use the metric system?

[Gator]

I edited it for one reason. That reason was because I realized that even though you are making fun of both me and my heritage, I refuse to lower myself to your level. So please feel free to show me how superior you are to me and continue making comments about me, my name, and my heritage. If we were to pass on the street would we recognize each other? Nope, but OMG let me post in here and you're all over it like a chicken on a june bug. So, as I had edited out of my last post, I hope that you have a wonderful day and a great week.

GQ frequently chooses to be an antagonist (and I am not his defender); however, I am not sure this was his intention here.  Possibly he wanted to come off as some cool  sexy dude, so do not take it personally. 
 
Werebear, I wish to compliment you for your honesty and openness.   You are justifiably proud of your heritage, and your intentions for traveling seem reasonable.  Heck, in the 1970s I went to Afghanistan as a tourist, just a British friend and I on public buses.     It was fun and there were no women involved.  Yes, please hang around. 

[Ooooops]

Of course, in return, I taught her to say Mahal Kita or Ini-ibig kita.

Tagalog?   Are you from Philippines originally?   

[Ooooops]

If you think that bad, how about a country that refuses to use the metric system?

Oh, don't even start me on that!!!   

[Gator]

Concerning current ED drugs....
 

You list three. There is a new one hitting the market soon, stendra.  My doctor gave me a trial sample.  Powerful stuff.  After taking it, I had to push my member down.  When I did, my feet slid backwards....
 
Just wanted to add to the bullshit piling up here. 

[ML]

If you think that bad, how about a country that refuses to use the metric system?

We just want to prove how smart we are.

People in other countries could not build a house with 2 x 6s [that are actually one and a half by 5 and a half], add on some  OSB sheathing that is 7/16, some 15/16 blueboard, some furring strips that might be 23/32, some 7/8 cedar planks, and some 5/8 drywall and then . . . determine the thickness of the wall.

Pansies in other countries must have everything as factors of 10.

[Boethius]

We just want to prove how smart we are.

People in other countries could not build a house with 2 x 6s [that are actually one and a half by 5 and a half], add on some  OSB sheathing that is 7/16, some 15/16 blueboard, some furring strips that might be 23/32, some 7/8 cedar planks, and some 5/8 drywall and then . . . determine the thickness of the wall.

Pansies in other countries must have everything as factors of 10.

Canadians use all those measurements plus the metric system.  So, we must be geniuses.

[ML]

Canadians use all those measurements plus the metric system.  So, we must be geniuses.

Would really be fun to build a house where materials mixed the two systems.  And actually, that is what happens with that 23/32 material, I think.

[GQBlues]

I disagree that this forum is solely about marriage/dating.  I don't think that is Dan's vision, either.

...You see, RWD is, by all intent and purposes - an MOB discussion site designed mostly for the purposes of  *dating/marriage* between people from the site specific regions, as is in this case - FSU.....

 


Lesson numero uno, UsedToBeABear: Now, I've always admired Boethius for her prowess with the English language. But even she still occasionally err with a rather simple word like...mostly and believing it means solely.


Now can you imagine what TommyK and yourself may be prone to do in a given year or months trying to tackle a language as difficult as Russian?


Heck, ask LordTiberus. He tried learning Russian but only found use for it by bitching about Obama to high heavens at home. What other purpose will it really do for you in your home country? Now, I'm certain, even if LT tries to deny it, the whole learning exercise was all in the interest of impressing demwimmen. I should really tell him he instead sounds a lot like Ferdinand Marcos trying to speak Italian and best if he just gives it up. He'd likely get more of demwimmen's attention if he did and instead concentrate unto something much more useful.


I remember back in the days when I was still a young stud and met this one typical beach Barbie. She was not only gorgeous, she was also a passionate runner. 5 miles/day type of runner. Of course, all of the sudden I was a freaking marathoner, man. Believing somehow that would score me some serious brownie points with her, you know. Yeah, talk about having something significant in common, eh?


Sure I eventually got the woman, but man-oh-man-oh-man did I ever had to start running to make sure I get to back-up what I told her. Started one month by running, walk, pant, cough, and pant some more around the block before keeling over the pavement to have a cigarette (I used to smoke like a typical Russian woman) upon arriving back home. One block ferchrissakes. But then eventually started to get the rhythm and was easily doing 10ks with her. It was all good until I found out she had always liked me even before we actually met. Which means, I didn't have to puke myself to death chasing the  pussy  cat.