Translation Help-Relationship language

[milesaweek]

I have made some inquires before, as I follow my father's relationship with a RW. He is 60, widowed, she,divorced and 50. He has made multiple(3)and extended visits ( month at a time) to her in Piter area. When father is asked how she describes him, he says she uses phrase as follows: "хороший человек." He says that she tells him it is not precise, but is close, and does not translate easily to English.

Could I get the take from the group on what this means in the cultural, relationship context? For example, is it similar to " lets be friends"?  Where is it on the scale that a RW might use to describe a man or the man in the relationship?

I should keep my nose out of this, but this cat wants to get killed by curiosity)))

Thanks for your consideration.

[mendeleyev]

Given both their ages it sounds like a good match of two people who wish to spend the autumn of their lives together. Congratulations to them both!

"хороший человек" is very common. She is describing him as a good person/good man. This is typical yet respectful. She isn't gushing about unrequited love, instead I'd guess that at their ages they're not looking for sex in the back seat of a convertible and having babies but they are looking for a person of quality and good character. That is what she apparently sees in him.

[Ooooops]

When father is asked how she describes him, he says she uses phrase as follows: "хороший человек."

What are the situations when this phrase is used?

[Lily]

I concur with Mendy. Actually, in order to get an adequate interpretation of someone's words about another person, not only the situation counts, but also the face expression and voice intonation of the person who said the words. To interpret these, some understanding of the culture would really be of good use.
 
Had those words been said by some passionate ambitious female achiever who actively makes plans about her future, both immediate and remote, perhaps the same words could have been interpreted as something like 'well, he doesn't make my heart beat stronger, but as soon as he makes my life comfortable, I can tolerate him around'.

[mendeleyev]

Lily and Oooops, perhaps I'm wrong but I also suspect that "miles" may be the father. Not many sons who are concerned about what the father is doing would know the Cyrillic spelling of "хороший человек" and neither would most refer to St. Petersburg as "Piter" unless they've spent time there themselves.
We should ask when he returns because both of you are correct that context is very important in translation.

[milesaweek]

Not the father. Concerned son. I agree context is important, but can get little information from father. He wrote me the spelling and refers to Saint Petersburg as Piter. Just following his travels. Probably will never understand or know the context. if he's happy, then I am.

[mendeleyev]

I think that you and he are fine. The phrase is a compliment and I understand that you were worried about it having a double meaning. Fortunately we're pretty much a decade or more removed from the young girls looking for a green card on the back of an older "mule" and at her age she is going to be more concerned about traveling back to Russia from time to time to visit children, etc.

The biggest myth most men have to fight back home is the misguided notion that these ladies for some reason want to get a US green card while the truth is that most Russian ladies would find it unthinkable to leave Russia permanently. In her culture at 50 she is unmarketable and so if she can find a good and decent man and they can build something together then they can be happy.

[Ooooops]

Probably will never understand or know the context. if he's happy, then I am.

In any case this phrase does not carry a negative connotation, so don't worry.   

[milesaweek]

Thanks..Reassurring...Didn't expect something bad, but trying to stay with the pace with limited info. You raise the idea  of  partners location and some recent  hints that father would prefer to stay there- at least part of the year. Different dynamic that most members here, but certainly a variation on the theme. he has "disposable income" and adventurous.. but lives in Arizona with the specter of a northern latitude!

Again, thank you!

[mendeleyev]

Piter is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, the "Venice of the North" as has been said with so many palaces, historic museums, breathtaking churches, quality theatre and music, and the white nights of summer. Temps are moderated by the Gulf of Finland and the great rivers and canals all over the city. One could live in Phoenix where it approaches 117-123 on some days or live in the paradise of northern Russia. That is an easy choice. Winters in Piter are something I try to avoid.

If he has found a lady friend who values his company, even better. 

[milesaweek]

The reason to be a snowbird!

[Ooooops]

The reason to be a snowbird!

May I ask how old is your Dad?   

[milesaweek]

You may ask..see first post..60

[Ooooops]

You may ask..see first post..60

Oooops...  Blind idiot me.        Pretty young "snow goose", good for him!    St.Pete is much more fun than Florida, I think.   

[milesaweek]

Is ok...what is snow goose?...anything better than Florida...Arizona in winter is a treat)))

[Ooooops]

Is ok...what is snow goose?...

Migratory bird that travels south for the winter and north for the summer.