What is the deal with "surprises"?

[chip]

If there is one common thing I see over and over in profiles and emails, it is "romantic surprises". This seems to be a deep desire in every girl. So what is that exactly? Are we talking about flowers and chocolates? Is "surprises" code for "gifts"? Or is it something else? "Romantic gestures" maybe?

[mendeleyev]

Likely if the gals are from the same agency, the letters are written by the same guy.

Simple: ask each lady what it means to her.

[Turboguy]

Right on.  Probably actually its a secretary at the office that is writing to you and she will get a commission if you buy flowers or candy from the agency.  Of course it is all on the up and up and they will send you a photo of the girl you think you are writing smiling as she receives the flowers or candy.  That part is easy since the photo is already in their files.  Probably a half decent commission since they don't need to actually supply flowers or candy and the gal you think you are writing doesn't even know you are alive.

[ML]

Probably a half decent commission since they don't need to actually supply flowers or candy and the gal you think you are writing doesn't even know you are alive.

What's with you today?  Why keep ruining the romance of this endeavor?

[Turboguy]

Just one of those days.   Next thing I will probably do is tell all the guys here that there really isn't a Santa Claus and ruin everyone's Christmas.

[jone]

Chip,

You are so funny.  You are the absolute poster child for the Americans that these girls target.  A gal who works as a chat girl that I had dinner with the other night said that she had at least seven stuffed animals at home (those that are not recirculated) and mentioned that she constantly has to go to a place where she can "appear" to receive flowers. 

In the event that you don't understand what the other people are writing to you, I can tell you with a good degree of certainty that unless you already have a personal relationship with a woman, i.e. have met her and can confirm that she is not getting paid, that the flowers or candies or perfume that you are sending her are really a fake.

The agency takes the item you purchased over to the lady, takes a picture of it in the lady's hands and then takes it back to the agency so the next girl can use it for her picture.  The money that is received is split between the agency and the woman.

Here are some rules to live by:

1.  Until you establish a relationship with a video relationship with a woman - away from the agency - do not send gifts or flowers.

2.  Until you have established a meeting date and time, do not even think about sending gifts or flowers.

3.  When you meet this woman in person, take a modest gift.  A real FSUW would be embarrassed to receive a gift from a man that she just met that she could not adequately reciprocate. 

You are not some Western Hero coming to an FSU Country to sweep a woman off her feet.  In the end, you are just a man, and she is just a woman.  If you wind up with an honest FSU woman - and you haven't demonstrated to anyone here that you are capable of that - then you will know the true magic of the WM FSUW relationship.  And it doesn't begin with five inch pumps, platinum blonde hair, 5'10" and weighing 105 pounds. 

[Patagonie]

Chip,

You are so funny.  You are the absolute poster child for the Americans that these girls target.  A gal who works as a chat girl that I had dinner with the other night said that she had at least seven stuffed animals at home (those that are not recirculated) and mentioned that she constantly has to go to a place where she can "appear" to receive flowers. 

In the event that you don't understand what the other people are writing to you, I can tell you with a good degree of certainty that unless you already have a personal relationship with a woman, i.e. have met her and can confirm that she is not getting paid, that the flowers or candies or perfume that you are sending her are really a fake.

The agency takes the item you purchased over to the lady, takes a picture of it in the lady's hands and then takes it back to the agency so the next girl can use it for her picture.  The money that is received is split between the agency and the woman.

Here are some rules to live by:

1.  Until you establish a relationship with a video relationship with a woman - away from the agency - do not send gifts or flowers.

2.  Until you have established a meeting date and time, do not even think about sending gifts or flowers.

3.  When you meet this woman in person, take a modest gift.  A real FSUW would be embarrassed to receive a gift from a man that she just met that she could not adequately reciprocate. 

You are not some Western Hero coming to an FSU Country to sweep a woman off her feet.  In the end, you are just a man, and she is just a woman.  If you wind up with an honest FSU woman - and you haven't demonstrated to anyone here that you are capable of that - then you will know the true magic of the WM FSUW relationship.  And it doesn't begin with five inch pumps, platinum blonde hair, 5'10" and weighing 105 pounds.

Read carefully what Jone wrote.
Give flowers or gifts, before a REAL relationship (with  a  REAL woman, with WHOM you have intimacy  or closeness) is a total crap. Culturally it is nice however, when you meet, especially in a VMVO or WOVO to give her LITTLE gifts from your country. It would be rude (i insist : on a VO) to meet with empty hands.

[vwrw]

Just one of those days.   Next thing I will probably do is tell all the guys here that there really isn't a Santa Claus and ruin everyone's Christmas.

LOL. Years of living with a wonderful Russian woman brought an evil side out of you.

[Doll]

If there is one common thing I see over and over in profiles and emails, it is "romantic surprises". This seems to be a deep desire in every girl. So what is that exactly? Are we talking about flowers and chocolates? Is "surprises" code for "gifts"? Or is it something else? "Romantic gestures" maybe?

They mean "romantic gestures".

[steveboy]

If I was you I would tell her to "Sling her hook" simple

[GQBlues]

If there is one common thing I see over and over in profiles and emails, it is "romantic surprises". This seems to be a deep desire in every girl. So what is that exactly? Are we talking about flowers and chocolates? Is "surprises" code for "gifts"? Or is it something else? "Romantic gestures" maybe?

Yes, you have really tapped upon the deepest cultural roots of FSU in how to treat a woman, Chip! Or as a FSUW once phrased it,

"Show(ing) her other evidences of the feelings!"

You can read the entire explanation here: http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=15849.0

I'm not sure why they haven't made that a 'sticky' yet. It's a great 'must-read' for all newbies...

Chip, don't listen to everyone else. Listen to your experience. It could very well be because you of your vast experience when you dated a Turkish, Bangladeshi & Mongolian girls before (or were they Guatemalian, Filipino & Somalian?) that's guiding you through your chosen path. Yeah, I think that's it.

Each one of these agency gals are for real, man. You really should send each one of them at least 11 roses and a huge box of chocolates. They will crumble upon your thoughtfulness once they are received with sheer elation. You'd be so cool in each of their blue eyes, man. All the pretty agency gals will be so jealous of these women who were lucky enough to be chosen by you.

You'll be the biggest talk of the agency!!! Go for it! Show them (your) other evidences of (the) your feelings!!!

[Anotherkiwi]

Just one of those days.   Next thing I will probably do is tell all the guys here that there really isn't a Santa Claus and ruin everyone's Christmas.

LOL. Years of living with a wonderful Russian woman brought an evil side out of you.

Honey, he doesn't care - all his Christmases came at once when he met you! 

[jmana]

On a side note, it's crazy how expensive it is to have flowers and/or gifts delivered to someone in Russia.  For a dozen roses it's gonna cost upwards of $100.  I sent Alina a teddy bear and a rose once when she fell on the ice and got a concussion, and it cost me about $75.  It seems all the delivery places are run by the same people too, because they all sell the same items (wouldn't be surprised if it's mob run).  I imagine someone could open up a flower shop over there and start a website and sell flowers for half of what these guys are charging and still make enough to live comfortably on.

[SANDRO43]

If I was you I would tell her to "Sling her hook" simple

Is 'she' actually a British seaman ?

[Wayne]

Actually, I found that flowers are cheap in Russia and Ukraine if you buy them locally. They usually sell them in the small underground shops. Sometimes, there are street vendors with flowers they grew.

[BC]

yep buy flowers without it being a birthday or valentines day. any time will do better.

[Shadow]

Actually, I found that flowers are cheap in Russia and Ukraine if you buy them locally. They usually sell them in the small underground shops. Sometimes, there are street vendors with flowers they grew.

However you have to remember getting their phone number and find a way to send them the money from the US. 

[2tallbill]

If there is one common thing I see over and over in profiles and emails, it is "romantic surprises". This seems to be a deep desire in every girl. So what is that exactly? Are we talking about flowers and chocolates? Is "surprises" code for "gifts"? Or is it something else? "Romantic gestures" maybe?

The guys are making a good point. What agency are you dealing with?


I recommend staying away from any pay by the letter agency and especially
any pay to chat agency.


Udachi !


Bill

[jmana]

However you have to remember getting their phone number and find a way to send them the money from the US. 

Has anyone actually had success in doing this??  If anyone knows of a flower shop in St. Pete that speaks decent English, that I can trust with my credit card number please let me know!!  I'd love to surprise Alina with flowers every now and then, but at $100 a pop it just doesn't make one bit of sense to do it

[2tallbill]

Has anyone actually had success in doing this??  If anyone knows of a flower shop in St. Pete that speaks decent English, that I can trust with my credit card number please let me know!!  I'd love to surprise Alina with flowers every now and then, but at $100 a pop it just doesn't make one bit of sense to do it

Success at getting a girls phone number? Yes, surely you have it by now. 
If you don't have her phone number stop everything. Get her phone number
or dump her and the agency.


I don't know if Nina still does flowers or not. It's been a hundred years
since I've been to St Pete.


You might send a PM to Phil dAmore
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=14465.0

[jmana]

Success at getting a girls phone number? Yes, surely you have it by now. 
If you don't have her phone number stop everything. Get her phone number
or dump her and the agency.


I don't know if Nina still does flowers or not. It's been a hundred years
since I've been to St Pete.


You might send a PM to Phil dAmore
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=14465.0

Um yeah, I have her phone number, I never went through an agency (nor would I ever), I thought you meant the number for the flower shop    I wish I would have asked around while I was there, but it seemed like few of the shops there actually delivered.  It almost seems like the delivery services are separate from the gift shops, like you pay the delivery service and they go out and buy the flowers or gifts at whatever shop is closest. 

[Shadow]

Um yeah, I have her phone number, I never went through an agency (nor would I ever), I thought you meant the number for the flower shop    I wish I would have asked around while I was there, but it seemed like few of the shops there actually delivered.  It almost seems like the delivery services are separate from the gift shops, like you pay the delivery service and they go out and buy the flowers or gifts at whatever shop is closest.

Of course they do. At those prices they can afford to run in to any shop to buy the things, and do not need to have any stock.

[2tallbill]

Um yeah, I have her phone number, I never went through an agency (nor would I ever), I thought you meant the number for the flower shop    I wish I would have asked around while I was there, but it seemed like few of the shops there actually delivered.  It almost seems like the delivery services are separate from the gift shops, like you pay the delivery service and they go out and buy the flowers or gifts at whatever shop is closest.

Sorry, I mistook you for the OP.


You might try to PM Phil or start a thread with the question.


Udachi !


Bill

[Faux Pas]

It's been a while but I have used these folks numerous times and always with excellent results. They do not work for free but, as reasonable as you'll find for online delivery

http://www.flowers-to-russia.com/?source=adwords&search=flowers_russiaftr&gclid=COTP4ebi7rkCFZRj7AodZRoAcQ

[chip]

Chip,

You are so funny.  You are the absolute poster child for the Americans that these girls target.  A gal who works as a chat girl that I had dinner with the other night said that she had at least seven stuffed animals at home (those that are not recirculated) and mentioned that she constantly has to go to a place where she can "appear" to receive flowers. 

In the event that you don't understand what the other people are writing to you, I can tell you with a good degree of certainty that unless you already have a personal relationship with a woman, i.e. have met her and can confirm that she is not getting paid, that the flowers or candies or perfume that you are sending her are really a fake.

The agency takes the item you purchased over to the lady, takes a picture of it in the lady's hands and then takes it back to the agency so the next girl can use it for her picture.  The money that is received is split between the agency and the woman.

Jone, you seem to be the poster child of the crowd in this forum who can't read and make huge leaps to get to a concept they think I am talking about so they can be demeaning in their answer and sound very knowledgeable schooling the newbie. It's like a virus in this forum.

The question I asked, which a few actually read and answered nicely, was, "What does 'Surprises' mean? It seems to be a concept with a twist on its literal meaning. Many girls want a man who "surprises" them. That would sound odd coming from a Western girl, so there must be more subtle meaing. That's the question I asked.

Here is NOT what I asked. "Hey I'm a real newbie and all these girls at the agency where I spend all my time because I'm really stupid and haven't heard a word of advice in this forum... well they all want me to send them gifts! Should I do that?"

Hope you don't mind me being so demeaning in my answer to your irrelevant answer. :)