Suggested Income Level

[Mir]

That's what I missed in the earlier posts.  That should be common sense.  I would also agree that many if not most of the westerners (unfortunately especially the Americans) I met while in Ukraine really were not what I'd consider to be realistic, grounded, or in some instances even 'normal'.  Just weird.

Yes certainly anyone from anywhere who does not know Russian and wants to negotiate with a taxi driver despite having a native speaker at his arm, wants to order food from the Russian menu while an English one is available etc. would be considered weired.

[Daveman]

What makes RU or UA so different?  Heck anyone can learn how to say borscht and piva.

Menu preference aside... it seemed the difference in the minds of those I met was in distinguishing the present from the past.  Still hung up on their Soviet perceptions.  Fear of the East I guess.. I recall that one guy I spoke with on the phone. I was in Omsk at the time, had met his lady friend and was telling him to get his butt on a plane and come visit this girl ... seems his family had convinced him that if he went to Russia, he'd be killed so he was afraid to even go.  How completely stupid is that.  The others at least showed up but still had much of the same kind of mentality.  Of course I don't know, but I doubt they'd be that ridiculous in Italy.

Mir: to IGNORE with you! lol..  I think we've fallen out of the competition completely at this point... I like to order from the Russian menu just to show off    being able to read the menu and actually knowing what the dish is is not necessarily related. 

[Daveman]

I would be surprised if more than 1 out of 10 of us could read a menu totally in Russian without help.

I think that's probably true for the overall number of guys visiting the FSU, but I don't think it's true for the guys here at RWD.  It seems most of the guys on the board who are serious about this have studied at least a little.  We probably couldn't read a menu from top to bottom and understand every single thing on it but surely most would not have trouble finding something they recognize and placing the order (especially since some dishes sound the same in English - just knowing the Cyrillic alphabet will make a few items jump off the page).  The guys here seem to be a breed apart.

[Shadow]

To know the menu all ou need is basic Cyrillic and a pokerface.
Just every time order something form each section, memorize it and keep a straight face when served cow tongue (a delicacy), sheep intestants (haggis?) and sweet fish. Next time order the next until you have memorized all dishes.

[Turboguy]

Mir,  Dead on.

BC,  I am sure you would see a lot of funny things with the tourists.   I can still remember my first trip to Italy (paid for by the Italian govt no less).  I was there with about 40 American business men and we all made fools of ourselves at times.   I recall one meal where we only ordered appetizers because we couldn't read the menu.   I can remember a big discussion about some signs we saw all over town and we were trying to figure out if they were a big tourist attraction or the hospital.   If I recall correctly it may have read "sensico unico"  Anyway when I asked my Italian friend what the signs meant he told me.  They meant  "one way"

Daveman, I agree with you that many of the guys have studied some language but even in that case being able to pick out a few words like chicken and cheese doesn't get you too far and often you are in a different restaurant so memorizing things on the menu is not going to work that well.   However we deal with it I don't recall it being much of a problem on any of my trips.

I/O, are you doing OK?   I am starting to worry about you.   You used to come off as having a fair degree of intelligence in your posts and a degree of civility in your language.  Lately you seem to be posting stuff that is mostly out in left field, you seem to be attacking about everyone except a select few, you seem to be using nothing but low personal insults to the people rather than trying to make a logical case for your view on your topics.  I know it is tough on the women as they adapt to their new life and the problems they go through can make it pretty challenging for the men.  I do hope you are doing OK and if you are having problems I hope you find someone you can trust to talk to about it.   

[chivo]

I remember back when i worked for corporate America. I remember the "salad" days when money was spent hand over fist for anything from lavish Christmas parties, to private jets, to box seats at the local sports arena, to management meetings in some far-off exotic place, etc., etc.

Then around, I don't know, the mid to late 80's they started to tighten the belt so to speak. Gone were many of the frills that once defined corporate America in the 70's-mid 80's. "Work smarter, not harder" was the theme. Still is.

When it comes to a budget, that's what should be taken into account.

I don't think anyone disagrees about flippin an extra 10 spot on the ride from the airport, but really, as was said before, why waste money. If you take a trip and can save yourself up to 6,7,8 hundred dollars by understanding what to do in certain situations, then that's the bottom line.

For instance, while $10 is nothing, taking 2 taxi rides a day, hardly uncommon, for 2-4 weeks one can save $300-600 during that time. Factor that in with knowing where to get good accommodations at better rates can add up to another $2-500 over the course of your stay. Not to mention knowing where to get food, cooking at times for you and your lady, knowing where to go and have a great time without spending much (ice skating comes to mind). Sorry but this is not being cheap, but romantic. One can easily see where one can save and lower his expenses without compromising.

Things can add up quite quickly. It's nice that some of you can throw money around like this, but my guess is most need to work a budget, a smart budget, so they can make that extra trip a year for the same money if they don't understand the system. Let me do the math again. $800 save over 5 trips=$4000. remember we aren't jeopardizing the relationship by being cheap, we're working smarter.

I don't consider myself "cheap", but I also don't like wasting things, especially money. I think that's the main thing. more bang for your buck. Just because this is NOT a cheap endeavor, is exactly why you should do it. SMARTER!!!

Most of the RW I talk to, (and believe me I've talked to WAY more than any of you posting, its not even close), would agree. yes, they don't like cheepskates, but they also think that you're a "дурак" if you spend money like a fool. And many of these ladies are as classy and pretty as anything I've seen on these boards.

I see nothing wrong in letting a woman handle some of the details when you come to this country. Most that I know would love the chance with the right man. Matter of fact, I let my lady handle travel arrangements at times because she can work out a better deal to certain places. She hardly thinks of me as not being a "man" because of this... how absurd.

Personally I think there is something to learn from everyone. I've always lived my life this way. Sorry to say to all the experts here, some of your opinions are good, and some IMO are crap. This goes for anyone who has ever given an opinion. We take what we can use and forget about the rest.

No one here is 100% right all the time, despite what you think of yourself. NO ONE!!!!

Well except me of course

Guys, take it easy, its the New Year...the cognac is on me. Just remember, smarter, not harder. Ciao

chivo

[Mishenka]

Allow me to clarify a few things with some backround info. I know many Russians in San Diego,, as an example, While I was in the hospital, a Russian RN, Oksana who worked in ICU and treated me, also knows my ex girlfriend, Nadya who  worked at Scripps ICU years ago. Oksana called Nadya to let her know I was there. Things were very serious and thought she should call to let her know.  I got a call from Nadya shortly after, who I had not talked with since July, sadly I was on morphine and couldn't make a word of sense. We live in a small world.

Anyway,, I know a close friend of Galina who lives in San Diego, Medina,27 who was Galina's neighbor in Tashkent. She has lived in the US 2 years now.  Galina is best friends with Medina's mom, Nellya.  This is how I know Galina, anyway,, we do some shopping for gifts to send back to Medina's mother (Dec 30th was her birthday) she asked my advice on perfumes etc, so this is not only an online meeting, it's more. When you have a group of friends that you know face to face and they recommend a close friend to you,, its a more trustworthy situation.  Please do not confuse this with ex Girl friend Tatiana and her friend Lena,, that is a different group of friends in El Cajon.

Having video calls twice daily and phone calls through out the day with Galina, her brother and her son Pavel, who takes care of the computers for us,,  it's much closer to reality than just an email once a week. We eat, breathe and live as close or closer than most married couples.

What I was sharing as ways I use to save money has nothing to do with negotiation taxi fares but more to do with allowing Galina to be herself and make suggestions. I want to do all I can to make her understand I value her ideas. Having a nice huge hospital bill, after 8 days in ICU will be over 100 grand to deal with so,, I do need to be careful with $$$$  for a while.

I do appreciate you all and wish you a safe, prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mishenka

[Mishenka]

According to my passport, this will be my 4th trip to Russia since January 98. Once I learned that there are thousands of single Russian women living locally, I saw no reason to visit Moscow as often. Until I learned that there is a huge difference in Americanized RW living here 5 - 12 years, compared to what I will call, genuine RW with Russian charm, upbringing and values still intact. Now I have decided to go back to the FSU and start fresh. :-)

Poka,
Mishka

[groovlstk]

Having video calls twice daily and phone calls through out the day with Galina, her brother and her son Pavel, who takes care of the computers for us,,  it's much closer to reality than just an email once a week. We eat, breathe and live as close or closer than most married couples.

Mishenka

Your video chats and phone calls with a woman you've never met in person give you a relationship that is "as close or closer" than most married couples? 

[Mishenka]

Groove,  in a word,

Absolutely!

Laugh all you want.

This one is a keeper.

One Heart

One mind

One soul

One love

Certainly closer than all the face to face relationships I've had here with any women, including 22 years of marriage, RW, AW, European or otherwise. Women are woman in every walk of life. Galina is definately by far the best of all! light years above the rest.  Time will tell.

 My oldest sister was born in Tashkent, her mother and granny also from there. Maybe it's genetic?  If my dad were alive I could ask him what the attraction was when he was first married to his Russian bride in the 40's, He met her during WW2, as a officer and pilot, I can imagine she was quite a woman, seeing how my older sister turned out.
 
Mishka.

[2tallbill]

This thread has been buried for quite some time and it's still an important aspect of
seeking an FSUW. I am reviving it to see if any of the current active members have
something to update this with.

I don't know if the newbies/lurkers look at threads this old.

From the FAQ's
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?action=faq


One thing that I can say is that it doesn't get less expensive just because you get
married and your wife lives with you.

[Noch1]

Are you saying, I can't search for a FSUW on my $11.00 per hour job at
the gas station?

[2tallbill]

Are you saying, I can't search for a FSUW on my $11.00 per hour job at
the gas station?

If you live in your mothers basement you have everything you need to be an
excellent Keyboard Romeo.

[Noch1]

If you live in your mothers basement you have everything you need to be an
excellent Keyboard Romeo.

How did you know, I lived in my mothers basement?

[Miquel Westano]

Next time I'll be sure to step in and shout "HALT Vaginalistic One!!!! Thou hast usurped my manly position young damsel..

In all my lurking the last month or two, I think this might be the funniest line I have read.  If I had been drinking my coffee, I would have had it shooting out of my nose!  Man, I love this site.

[Boethius]

Are you saying, I can't search for a FSUW on my $11.00 per hour job at the gas station?

Why not?

[ML]

In all my lurking the last month or two, I think this might be the funniest line I have read.  If I had been drinking my coffee, I would have had it shooting out of my nose!  Man, I love this site.

I miss Dave's unique sense of humor.

[HiTech]

I miss Dave's unique sense of humor.

What happend to Daveman? I assume he  simply got busy with married life?

HiTech

[2tallbill]

Note: I am paraphrasing from a former member here.

You can be a little bit money poor or a little bit time poor but
not both.

If you have several weeks per year you can go to the FSU on
a budget, rent a cheap apartment by the month live a little bit
like a local, cook most of your own meals take the bus/metro
and spend a lot of time with boots on the ground to find a girl 
and then to build a relationship.

If you have plenty of money but are more limited on time you
can spend more on airfare traveling back and forth, and after
you find your girl you can fly her closer to you while you build
the relationship.

If you are both money poor and time poor then you need to
change your circumstance or forget about pursuing an FSUW.

[ML]

Don't know.  I sent him PM several months back asking what happened . . . but got no answer.  Dave was last here 13 May 2014.

[fathertime]

Don't know.  I sent him PM several months back asking what happened . . . but got no answer.  Dave was last here 13 May 2014.

perhaps he become relatively disgusted that he (and me too) defended some of the posters that in retrospect turned out to be some of the more abusive ones.


Fathertime!   

[rockford75]

Well all I can say is in my experience,if you want to meet a nice beautiful FSU lady. stay out of the big Russian cities such as Moscow and St.Petersburg. I have been to both places many times. most of the ladies there are in my opinion high maintenance,and if you marry one she will have big expectations if she comes to your country. I traveled to places like Kazan and surrounding villages of course I was already married by then as my lady is from there. I must say the ladies from Kazan and area are way better then in the big cities of Moscow and St Pete. As long as you treat them right and be honest about who you are and your feelings towards her. Before you know it you will be a happily married man! It doesn't take a pile of money to impress a FSU lady just good budgeting and honesty. Good Luck in your search.

[2tallbill]

Well all I can say is in my experience,if you want to meet a nice beautiful FSU lady. stay out of the big Russian cities such as Moscow and St.Petersburg. I have been to both places many times. most of the ladies there are in my opinion high maintenance,and if you marry one she will have big expectations if she comes to your country.

I think you are over generalizing. There are 12 million people in Moscow and over
6 million of them are girls. Some of them are surely devil women who will drive a
man to the loony bin, but when you are talking about 6 million girls, I can guarantee
that some of them have hearts of gold. Not to mention a lot of girls in Moscow have
relocated there from elsewhere.

If you are a visit one type my theory is travel to wherever you find the girl. If you find
her in Ice Flow Siberia then get on the next dog sled to Ice Flow.

If you are a visit many type then you choose any relatively large enough city that will 
have plenty of girls. You might not pick Moscow or St Pete to save a few bucks, but I
can assure you that if you look hard enough at enough girls you can find gold. 

I also find that combination of a positive mental attitude paired with determination is
an excellent combination in this search.

Having said all that, I certainly would encourage any guy who wanted to head to Kazan
or Novosibirsk or Vladivostok or ___________ name your FSU City here.

Udachi!


Bill

[ML]

You might not pick Moscow or St Pete to save a few bucks, but I can assure you that if you look hard enough at enough girls you can find gold.

Once again, I want to remind men (and women) to think in terms of 'probability' rather than the sloppy 'possibility' concept.

[alex330]

There are 12 million people in Moscow and over 6 million of them are girls.

I read a statistic the other day which mentioned that only about 30% of the population in Moscow is actually Russian. If you are searching for a Slavic woman that would dwindle the numbers down to about 1 million women. Subtract those who are taken/married and women not in the desired age range and it puts Moscow on the the same level as many other FSU cities.

Income level - there was a study on this forum or possibly VJ and I believe that most men who married FSUW were in the 50-60k per year range.