Other FSU countries ?

[USCFAN]

Hey gang -

Most of the conversation here is tied to Russian or Ukrainian woman. Makes sense, they are the two largest countries of the FSU.

I was wondering if anybody had some experience, or knew much about some of the smaller FSU countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ...

Since they are members of the E.U. ... it would seem that it would be a lot easier to bring a lady over to the States from those countries than the 'big 2' ....

Interested in your input ...

Steve

[laserjames]

I was wondering if anybody had some experience, or knew much about some of the smaller FSU countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ...

Since they are members of the E.U. ... it would seem that it would be a lot easier to bring a lady over to the States from those countries than the 'big 2' ....

I do know a woman named Diana from Riga Latvia. She is very sweet and great fun to talk with. She's 25 and married a man 44 from Philly. I've talked with her many times before and after her wedding and she seems very devoted. They've been married about 6 months and are planning a family. She adjusted quickly to the American culture and although at times a bit homesick she's had no problems. I've talked with several women aged 22-28 from the baltic states and all appear to be very genuine in their thoughts and desires. I would imagine that if you have found one that captures your interest, you probably found one worth keeping. Diana was married in Latvia (so her family could attend) and married in a traditional ceremony at his church in Philly for his family. She's had no problems that she has mentioned through the "K" and "I" processes. A western type backround (department stores, fast food, decent income) with an eastern type mentality (honesty, loyalty, devotion), can't ask for much more. Good luck!

[BillyB]

Try some FSU countries down south.  Divorce rates are much lower there compared to 60-65% for the ones near Europe. Maybe marriage has more importance there than selfish wants?

[USCFAN]

Thanks Laser ... that is kind of my thinking too ... Russian women (for all intense purposes) in those countries ...  but should be easier to get to the states belonging to the E.U.

Billy ... I believe your beautiful lady is from one of those countries ... but while they may be more serious about a commitment, the bottom line is (to my understanding) they still have to go through the whole costly and time consuming K1 or K3 process ...

I'm sure some of the OMB's will have some thoughts here 

I guess I'm trying to look at all the options ...

[I/O]

Ask a Russian about the southern FSU states and very often you will get a faily blunt description of the populous. Fair or not, I never really formed an opinion but the southern states were...............well.....umm down south of the southern border. You figure it out. Of course there is good and bad everywhere.

Other FSU states, Moldova, Latvia, Belarus and so forth. Hmmm some parts have beautiful scenery...yeah two legged scenery also and some parts not. Been around to a few of them over time and didn't get too excited by most of what I saw. Ease of migration? For my country it makes little difference, can't comment about USA.

Want a Russian woman? Go to the source. (Some would argue historically that is Ukraine and I am not going to buy into that one way or another, but IMO, if you want the real thing, go to where the real thing may be found.)

I/O

[Ste]

Thanks Laser ... that is kind of my thinking too ... Russian women (for all intense purposes) in those countries ...  but should be easier to get to the states belonging to the E.U.

To be honest mate, the Baltic States are not a happy hunting ground for the international husband seeker anymore, the financial necessity to escape is not there.

Also they have freedom of movement within the EU, in fact there's tons of Lithuanian's in my town, knocking about with the typically studly British Male.....

Mind you we're not keen on the Romanians and Bulgarians, try there!

[BillyB]

Billy ... I believe your beautiful lady is from one of those countries ... but while they may be more serious about a commitment, the bottom line is (to my understanding) they still have to go through the whole costly and time consuming K1 or K3 process ...

I'm sure some of the OMB's will have some thoughts here 

I guess I'm trying to look at all the options ...

My lady is from Uzbekistan.

I'm not sure what you mean in terms of costly time consuming k1 or k3 process. Everybody who has a romantic interest in another country must do it even if your gal/guy is next door in Canada.

For most guys, traveling to Uzbekistan and surrounding countries is more expensive but it's worth it for the right woman.

Majority of the women who are open to leaving the Baltics are Russian. The natives aren't on the dating/marriage sites as much.

[USCFAN]

I'm not sure what you mean in terms of costly time consuming k1 or k3 process. Everybody who has a romantic interest in another country must do it even if your gal/guy is next door in Canada.

I'm no expert ... but it is my understanding that someone from Canada just needs a passport and then they can come on over. Someone from the E.U., like the Czech republic, can fairly easily get a tourist visa, then jump on plane and their here.

With the K1 or K3, you have the whole interview process, a 6-8 month wait and can cost you a couple grand ...

I'm a newbie so I'm not trying to state 'fact' ... but I do know it is much easier for someone to travel to the U.S. from other countries than from F.S.U. countries.

[planner]

My wife is from Latvia.  We were there for a few weeks in February and my wife went back for a month in October.  A nearby cousin also married a Russian Latvian through different connections this spring.  The wedding was in Oregon and several of the family came over from Latvia to attend.  We were in Riga and Ventspils.  What questions do you have? 

I was looking in Southern Russia and met someone from Latvia.

[William3rd]

EASIER to enter from CANADA but not to enter lawfully for the purposes of marriage. That is still under the K process. However, that doesnt mean that people do not enter under false pretenses and marry as a tourist but it doesnt meant that they are supposed to.

[Lit_1nce]

Been to Klaipeda Lithuania about 6 years ago now.. Liked it a lot.. There have been many changes since I was there.. they are part of Nato now, the EU, and their economy is much better. Back then, I took about a 30 mile taxi ride from Palanga, and the driver asked for like $6. Everything was really inexpensive.,, but as I said, I think that has changed quite a bit.

Have met quite a few more Lithuanians, and Latvians since.. something to do with allowing workers to come to US in exchange for supporting Afghanistan (I think)..  Just my opinion.. but Lithuanians seem more quiet and conservative than Latvians who are more outgoing.. and that would not seem to make sense based on geography.. but that's my experience anyway.

BTW.. Vilnius Lithuania was the last stop on the Amazing Race last week.. interesting to see if they explore any more of the Baltics next week before they fly off who knows where.

[Eduard]

Being born and raised in the Soviet Union I came in contact with many different ethnic groups and have been in many different FSU countries including the baltic states.
The cultural differences are huge between different former republics, so are the value systems.
I think that you can find both good and bad people anywhere you go, but there are places where for example being dishonest or not keeping your word/promise is a lot more accepted than others. For example, people in the harsh Siberia are well known for their straight forwardness, honesty and being very down to earth.
just think of the USA and how people are different in the North from the southern states. For example If I had to look for a wife here in the USA I would probably try to find a midwestern woman rather than a Miaimi girl ( not that there aren't good, wholesome women in Miami, but statistically I would have a much better chance of finding a wholesome, family oriented girl in Michigan rather than in Florida.
Does that make sense to you guys?
I usually advice my clients to stay away from certain areas of FSU, not because there are no good women there, but simply to save a lot of time and money. It's a lot easier and takes less time and money finding a good, family oriented woman in an FSU country where people are used to practicing higher standarts of integrity, honesty and other values.

[I/O]

Eduard: You mention Siberians as being known for straightforwardness, but you mention that other areas may not be the same. Having spent a goodly amount of time in various parts of Siberia over recent years, I am inclind to think you are correct about some Siberians and I have noted more of an openness than in some other locations, but I wouldn't crown them all with glory either.

I wonder, specifically what areas/cities you think guys should avoid?

I/O

[Eduard]

Eduard: You mention Siberians as being known for straightforwardness, but you mention that other areas may not be the same. Having spent a goodly amount of time in various parts of Siberia over recent years, I am inclind to think you are correct about some Siberians and I have noted more of an openness than in some other locations, but I wouldn't crown them all with glory either.

I wonder, specifically what areas/cities you think guys should avoid?

I/O

I thought that I made it very clear that you can't generalise and you will find both good and bad, honest and dishonest people anywhere you go. But we are talking statistical averages. And if you have two different areas to find women from and you know that in one area 5 out of 10 women are honest and will make a great partner in life and in the other area 5 out of a 100 would qualify where would you prefer to spend time and money looking?
These are not some official statistical numbers, I'm using these numbers just to make a point!!!!!
I'm not prepaired to publicly put negative labels on any FSU country, because this is only my personal opinion formed from my own life experience and other people might have a different experience with the same country and go "Al Sharpton" on me. But I think we all agree that there are vast cultural and value system differences between say residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and a small farm town in Illionois. 
!!!please notice that I'm not judging that one is better than the other...just different ;-)!!!

<<<<bracing for impact>>>>>

[SANDRO43]

One site that appears to have been overrun by Baltic females rather recently is http://www.adultsingles.com/. And they're not ethnic Russians, considering their improbable names .

[2tallbill]

I do know a woman named Diana from Riga Latvia. She is very sweet and great fun to talk with. She's 25 and married a man 44 from Philly. I've talked with her many times before and after her wedding and she seems very devoted. They've been married about 6 months and are planning a family. She adjusted quickly to the American culture and although at times a bit homesick she's had no problems. I've talked with several women aged 22-28 from the baltic states and all appear to be very genuine in their thoughts and desires. I would imagine that if you have found one that captures your interest, you probably found one worth keeping. Diana was married in Latvia (so her family could attend) and married in a traditional ceremony at his church in Philly for his family. She's had no problems that she has mentioned through the "K" and "I" processes. A western type backround (department stores, fast food, decent income) with an eastern type mentality (honesty, loyalty, devotion), can't ask for much more. Good luck!

Laser welcome to the Forum!

Udachi! (good luck)

Bill

[I/O]

you can't generalise and you will find both good and bad....................I'm not prepaired to publicly put negative labels on any FSU country, because this is only my personal opinion formed from my own life experience

I usually advice my clients to stay away from certain areas of FSU,

What I am asking is what areas you advise clients to stay away from and why?

I/O

[Bruce]

Eduard - I'd like you to go into a thread where you talk about last name and origins in the FSU ie. if the last name ends in an "O' it probably is Ukrainian in origin; if it ends in an ov or ova it is Russian in origin; if it ends in an ich it probably is from white Russia (belorussian) etc.

[SANDRO43]

Eduard - I'd like you to go into a thread where you talk about last name and origins in the FSU

Good idea, I'm openining a new thread in "Odds and Ends" to address this interesting topic in general, ONOMASTICS (the branch of linguistics dealing with the study of proper names).

if the last name ends in an "O' it probably is Ukrainian in origin; if it ends in an ov or ova it is Russian in origin; if it ends in an ich it probably is from white Russia (belorussian) etc.

Armenian: -IAN
Georgian: -ADZE, -SHVILI

(Welsh: JONES, EVANS )

[Eduard]

is there an existing thread? or would you like me to reate a new one? any ideas for the name?

[Simoni]

Good idea, I'm openining a new thread in "Odds and Ends" to address this interesting topic in general, ONOMASTICS (the branch of linguistics dealing with the study of proper names).Armenian: -IAN
Georgian: -ADZE, -SHVILI

(Welsh: JONES, EVANS )

I did not know WHAT THE HECK that thread was about.  Now I understand its roots after reading here :-)


Here is the link:

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=6430.msg116848;topicseen#msg116848

[WmGO]

The cultural differences are huge between different former republics, so are the value systems.

I think that you can find both good and bad people anywhere you go, but there are places where for example being dishonest or not keeping your word/promise is a lot more accepted than others. For example, people in the harsh Siberia are well known for their straight forwardness, honesty and being very down to earth.

I usually advice my clients to stay away from certain areas of FSU, not because there are no good women there, but simply to save a lot of time and money. It's a lot easier and takes less time and money finding a good, family oriented woman in an FSU country where people are used to practicing higher standarts of integrity, honesty and other values.

For the benefit of the readership please elaborate on where in terms of cities, regions, FSU countries where you believe the women are of higher integrity/family values oriented, etc.

Thanks.

[WmGO]

And if you have two different areas to find women from and you know that in one area 5 out of 10 women are honest and will make a great partner in life and in the other area 5 out of a 100 would qualify where would you prefer to spend time and money looking?

Please elaborate.

Don't worry, we all understand this is just you opinions and observations. And Al Sharpton is busy responding to federal subpoenas. 

FWIW, 5 out of 10 is not good odds, much less 5 out of 100........(realize not a scientific study, but interesting numbers nonetheless).

[Kuna]

Please elaborate.

Don't worry, we all understand this is just you opinions and observations. And Al Sharpton is busy responding to federal subpoenas. 

FWIW, 5 out of 10 is not good odds, much less 5 out of 100........(realize not a scientific study, but interesting numbers nonetheless).

A former member of RWD - a guide none the less - once told me in a PM not to meet any women in Donetsk because all of the people there were lower class as a result of an immoral and unethical culture.

I wonder how men with wives from Donetsk feel about this?

I found it curious at the time that in his opinion the best place to find a wife was in his home city and places located close to him.

I'm skeptical of any advice given by those who earn money from this pursuit...    ... but that's just me!

Kuna



btw... I should add something on the OP's comments...

I've been to Riga and while I found it to be a beautiful city I think the days of International Marriage (as a business) are over.

I generally found the locals to be proud, defiant, optimistic and "relatively" comfortable.

Yes, there are still problems there but in hindsight I see the "nationalism" in Latvia to be similar to that of Western Ukraine - where agency services seem to be thinner on the ground than in Eastern Ukraine and Russia.

Any man looking towards Latvia in the current environment would be best to model his dating approach as he would if he was seeking a wife in Germany or Scandinavia.

[WmGO]

I've been to Riga also. Was there many years ago when they had the 850th anniversary celebration going on and also the Hanseatic League festival. Most of the few women who are signed up with marriage agencies there are Russian and divorced with children. I agree Kuna that it is not a place focus on in the pursuit of FSUW, but I really enjoyed my time there and you could tell they (the Latvians) were proud of there independence. Seems like Russians still control a lot of the businesses though.......