Let me introduce myself...

[Rattlehead]

I'm a 27 year old white male from NY who has just gotten bitten by the Russian Woman bug.  I'm determined to meet a woman from the FSU who hasn't been tainted by our toxic western culture.  This endeavor is extremely complicated and I'm trying to educate myself about it as much as possible.  This is one of two discussion forums on the topic that I've found. 

BTW: If anyone has any advice or info about learning Russian I'd be happy to hear it.  I'm especially interested in going to Russia for a "total immersion experience" and taking classes there.  I know that there are schools that will hire native English speakers to teach English to Russians in Russia.  I looked at a couple of websites about this.  One school offered to place you with a host family and defray other costs too (as well as a salary, I think).  Then there's the Berlitz schools.  Does anyone know anything about this?  Does anyone know anyone who's done this or done it themselves?  Any info would be great.  Thanks.

[KenC]

Welcome to the best RW forum on the Net, Rattlehead!  You're a youngin to be so smart!     My advice is for you to read read read the threads here to learn what's up.  You might want to check out groovllsk's trip report and pay attention to the Horseman's posts as he has taught in Russia.  Good luck.
KenC

[Rattlehead]

Ken,
Thanks for the heads up!  I've been reading so much on here and other sites I have to be careful about headaches and bloodshot eyes, not to mention being up all night at the computer killing my back in the process!! 
BTW: Elena Petrova's E-Book, has anyone seen this?  Is it worth the money?  It's so tempting to grab all materials on this subject as I can, as I just don't want to be unprepared and uninformed.  It will get very expensive, very quickly if I do that.  So any advice anyone has on what's worth reading and what isn't would be very helpful.  Also, if a particular ebook is useful, I just can't fathom reading a 100+ page book on my computer screen...I think I'd go blind before I finished it.  Is saving it on disk and printing it at Staples or Kinko's economical?  I don't want to rip through ink cartridges, that gets as expensive as buying hardcover books (and any cost of printing is in addition to the already steep price of the ebook!).
Thanks to everyone for just being here.  It's great to know I have people to help me with my search.

[beattledog]

You will be a prize for the Russian woman. most of the men are more mature.  take your time and be selective

sad beattledog

[Turboguy]

First off, I have Elena's book.  You can print it out so you don't have to read it on the screen.  My honest opinion of it is that knowing what is in it I wouldn't give a buck for it.   I thought I might have had one good idea about dealing with women from reading it so I tried it out on a gal and never heard from her again.  You will learn much more about what is really important reading old posts here.

There are some posts about learning Russian.  Pimsleur and Rosetta stone seem to be the most popular.  I have both and a number of other programs.  These have been discussed so much I will let you search for them rather than get back into it.  If you can't find anything, PM me and I will give you more info in a PM.  There was just a post yesterday about how slow it is to learn with Pimsleur but it does have it's good side too.

I will agree, Horseman is the guy you should talk to.  I am sure you can PM him and he will answer.

[prince_alfie]

Privet and welcome to our forum!

[jb]

The better book is "Wedded Strangers"

[catzenmouse]

Yes, Wedded Strangers is a good book to give you a glimpse into some of what is involved. I also enjoyed The Russian Way (I think it is called). Did not think much of Marina Smiley or Elena Petrova as I find them to be a bit stuck on themselves. It is also good to read some Russian literature which will also give you a bit of an insight into Russia and Russians.

Ken

[Vaughn]

Rattlehead, just curious: NYC, the Island or upstate? In any case, welcome to RWD! Your desire to learn the language is admirable; it'll enhance your
overall experience in the FSU (former Soviet Union). I taught English to Russian middle schoolers on a few occasions, but Horseman did this far more extensively - and I agree - he's the man to offer direction and tips.

More than a few ladies exclaimed "OOOH - a young one!" when my
38 year old buddy Scott stepped off the train in 2002. You, at 27, might
cause unbridled commotion!

Vaughn

[Rattlehead]

Beattledog, you're too kind!  May I ask if you're male or female?  I'll really be especially complimented by that coming from a woman.

Turboguy, I guess I won't waste my money on the book then.  If it was cheap I would've already said, "What the hell?  Maybe I'll get something out of it."  But it's quite expensive.  You'd think that with minimal publishing costs, and zero printing costs they could pass the savings on to the consumer.  Thanks for the advice on the ebook and the language programs.

Alfie, Thank you for the warm welcome

jb, thanks for the advice.  Where is that one available?

catzenmouse, Thanks for the advice.  Where is "The Russian Way" available?  And what Russian literature, in particular, would you reccommend for the purpose of gaining an insight into Russians?

Vaughn, I'm on Long Island.  Where in Russia did you teach?  Did you need a university degree to do that?  I'll definetly PM Horseman, I want to get started on this as soon as possible.  It definetly makes me feel great that being younger is appreciated by the RW!  I don't know about "unbridled commotion" though!  LOL!  I'm no Brad Pitt or anything!  I don't think I'd know how to handle that if it did happen!

Thank you all for the advice!  I'm sure I'll have a never-ending stream of questions on many topics here, and I'm so grateful that there is a place like this.

[prince_alfie]

Hello there Rattlehead,

The Russian Way can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0844242969?v=glance

There are some used copies < $1 Good reference.

Hope this helps.

Alfie

[Rattlehead]

Alfie,
I see it was published in 1995.  So much has happened in Russia since then.  Is there an updated edition?  Are the topics covered not very susceptible to a ten year difference?  Either way, it's cheap enough, I've got nothing to lose so I'll check it out.  Do you know of any other books specifically about Russian women/dating?  Thanks!

[prince_alfie]

I don't think there is a third edition out yet. Maybe this book would be more updated: http://www.amazon.com/Nyet-Da-Understanding-Russians-Interact/dp/1877864161/ref=pd_sim_dbs_b_1/002-9929987-7906447?ie=UTF8

Hope this helps.

Spasiba, Alfie

[groovlstk]

I'd recommend this:

http://www.amazon.com/Exile-Sex-Drugs-Libel-Russia/dp/0802136524/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product/102-0979585-7070511?ie=UTF8

I'd even loan you my copy if you ventured into Manhattan

[Admin]

I'd recommend this:

http://www.amazon.com/Exile-Sex-Drugs-Libel-Russia/dp/0802136524/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product/102-0979585-7070511?ie=UTF8

I'd even loan you my copy if you ventured into Manhattan

Or the members can buy their very own copy from the NEW RWD Bookstore -- http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?pid=4

- Dan

[Shadow]

Rattlehead if you are after a RW that has not been spoiled by the Western Culture you will need to:
- learn Russian
- be able to take surival trips
- go to Russia in person to find her in the woods.

As soon as she puts a profile on the internet you can be sure she has been spoiled by Western culture in *some* way 

But I guess that is not waht you meant 

[BC]

Shadow,

You forgot to mention that if he seeks more 'traditional' qualities he should look for a woman in their 40's.

Would represent an age different of +-20 years so should be quite reasonable.. 

[catzenmouse]

Rattlehead,

 Here are a couple of threads that might be of interest to you:

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=2054.0

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=1270.0

Also contact bobs12 who lives in St. Pete and has a web site related to teaching in Russia.

Looks like you can get the books you need via the RWD Book Store. Even though some of them are a few years old they are still worth reading.

Regarding the Russian literature: Pushkin, Dovstoyevsky, Bulgakov are a few that I can think of off the top of my head. I also enjoy reading Russian Life magazine and they always have some interesting book reviews in there as well.

Good luck!
 Ken

[Rattlehead]

Wow, I'm so happy my introduction has garnered so much attention and interest.  I don't know where to start.  Unfortunately though, I can't respond to all your posts right now as I need to get to sleep in order to get up early, as I'm registering for and attending a Russian 101 course tomorrow.  I can't wait. I'll let you all know how it went when I get the chance to properly respond to your posts tomorrow or Saturday.  Thanks again!

Rat

[prince_alfie]

Good luck with the Russian class!

[Turboguy]

Yes, when you get back later we expect a full page report of your first lesson written completly in Russian. No excuses.

[Vaughn]

Rattle, by chance is the class at Adelphi? Turbo, I'm
working up a lesson for you - what kind of phrases
are you up for?

Vaughn

[catzenmouse]

Vau-Gun,

 I think TG needs stuff like:

 I'm so hot for you I'm burning up!

 Your place or mine baby?

 Do you have any friends who want to join us?

 .... just kidding TG....

Ken

[Turboguy]

I get a kick out of the Lonely Planet Phrase book

Examples
yazykom  = use your tongue
aden prezervativ  = use a condum
ni astanavlivaysal  =  Don't stop
krassnaya popka  = nice bum

That gives you the idea.  There are lots more.

Vaughn, anything you think will be useful.

[Rattlehead]

Shadow: No, definetly not what I meant.  I just enrolled and began a Russian 101 class at a local community college, so I'm starting on your first suggestion.  I'm not quite sure what you mean by your second suggestion, I'm new here so if it's a commonly used terminology I apologise for my ignorance.  As far as your third suggestion, I assume that's a joke.  What am I gonna do, put on medieval armor and ride through the woods on a white horse seeking a peasant girl out in Sherwood Forest?  Please don't talk to me like I'm an idiot.  I realize that Russia is a modern industrialized country and any woman with access to the internet, etc, will have a certain amount of westernization, but there are certain qualities that make many (not all, nothing in life is 100%) RW different from WW, otherwise none of us would be here, would we?  As Axl Rose said in "Rocket Queen" (great song btw), "I might be a little young, but honey I ain't naive."

BC: Let's be serious, I'm 27, I wouldn't look for a 40 year old woman in the US, so why would I look for one in Russia?  I can find plenty of 40 year old women in the US who have finished with the whoring of their youth with the "bad boys," and now that wrinkles have begun to appear they'd be happy to "settle down" with a decent guy like me who will take care of them.  Why would I go to the other side of the world to find that?  I'd like to find as much traditional values as can be found in a younger woman.  Obviously there will be compromises and trade-offs, but such is life.

Catzenmouse: Thanks for the pointers.  I'll have to contact bobs12 along with Horseman.
I'll look into the literature.

Alfie: Thanks!  I'm gonna need it!

Turbo: LOL!  I'd be quite impressed with myself if I could do that at the end of my NEXT Russian class (or even the third or fourth)!

Vaughn: No, I'm taking the class at Nassau CC.  I didn't even think to look at Adelphi for some reason.

Catzen annd Turbo: LOL!!   That stuff is classic!  I'll have to remember those!  That reminds me of the "Hungarian to English dictionary" Monty Python sketch!  Who's seen that?  That was a classic.  In stark contrast to most men my age, I'm looking for a girl who would slap me if I said those things to her early in the relationship!  I think I was born in the wrong century.  I would actually prefer riding through the woods in the shining armor!  Too bad those days are gone forever.  You'll all understand me more when I tell you that watching the movie "Excalibur" is like a religious experience for me.  I'm old-fashoned.  "It's for Igrayne!"  I mean, honestly, what could be more romantic than storming a castle for your love?!  LOL!  But in all seriousness, I know very well that I won't find a pure-as-snow shrinking violet anywhere in the modern world, be it USA, Russia or anywhere else.  I just want a woman I can respect, that's all.  I don't think that's unreasonable or unattainable, and I think it's a noble and worthy pursuit.