Jack Bragg makes GQ Magazine April 2008...

[BC]

Regarding Jack, I am amazed but not shocked by his confession regarding the criterion he used to choose between two women during his first trip.

Yeah.. to sum it up in one word... 'tits'.

I found the article quite good and entertaining.. Agree required reading for those so inclined.

Regarding the father/son 'duo' I thought first of TG but guess such is not that unique.

[Jet]

Although there were some negative overtones as Bruce pointed out, I tend to agree with most that although the article was not "flattering" it seemed to be reasonably fair and accurate. One thing that did strike me upon finishing was that half a dozen of these type articles placed in the mainstream press over a period of say, a year, would do more to advance the feminazi agenda than IMBRA could ever dream to...

[ISORW]

Interesting article...although my take on it is that where there once was unrealistic expectations on one side (the men's) now it appears to be on both sides and the state of the industry will shake both out.  For years there were men who were, for lack of a better term, losers, expecting to find a model, 9.5 on the beauty scale, willing to live in a double wide...now there are women like the one described in the article (Anna Kurbatova) who expects a wealthy man with good looks and no baggage...I know a few guys like that, they are very much sought after no matter what country they are in and have no reason to go to Russia for a woman (one of the guys I know works for Goldman Sachs in NYC and has a seemingly endless line of good looking women wanting to date him and although he's dated RW before he sees no reason at this time to try to make a long distance relationship work when he can get similar goods at home so to speak).

I don't think the RW/UW scene is as dried up as the article makes it seem, but I do think that guys who have problems dating women here in the US will not find their panacea in the FSU.  As a friend of mine said, if you don't got game here, you won't get game by going over there.  There may be more good looking women available over there, but they are not desparate anymore and won't leave for just any guy with a passport, and I agree, this is a good thing.

[ambach123]

Finding a bride in FSU is an expensive proposition, as we all know. There is a recession in USA, the most effected is the very middle class that makes up most of the men here. They are in their forties and fifties, and they are losing their jobs.

I am sure this business will be seriously effected.

With a substantial lack of shoppers, the women can demand whatever they want, there would not be many takers.

[tipperguz]

Good forum thread and GQ article!
I've recently discovered these forums, and have been amazed at the information that is available to would-be FSU seekers. Myself, I have been going to the FSU countries & Europe for 5 years (about 3 - 4 times a year), and to me nothing has changed drastically during that time (In regard to the women) - (Except for their economy picking up and their salaries going up, but still well under what we consider the poverty level in America), but the main thing is that I am now able to more readily recognize and avoid the scammers and women who are really only curiosity seekers. A friend of mine who started looking for his FSU wife about 8 years ago, and was successful in finding her (they have been married for 3 years, said that the FSU dating scene in Russia & Ukraine really changed about 6 years ago). In my observation, many agencies, interpretors & guides have been milking & twisting this FSU dating scene for many years, and getting away with it, due to the lack of networking and reliable information on this industry. Now with the internet forums booming, and many men finally discovering these sites, guys are coming out with their stories and experiences.

I agree with ambach123, middle-class guys fuel this industry, and there will be changes as a result. As for the super-rich that go to the FSU thinking that they can "buy" their wife, the reality will hit them soon enough too.

I certainly have found that finding a truly genuine woman in the FSU is still a realistic possibility, but the time, energy & money it requires will make many good men think twice.

[Caperone]

Hum... Despite being a newbie, there's not really anything that surprise me.

It doesn't really change my thoughts about it. I know it won't be easy (I must be nuts, that's how I like it. Usually, I find it much more rewarding when you reach your goal), but if I can find a great wife, it will be worth it.

[Gator]

Welcome tp RWD tipperguz!  Hope you join some threads.

As for the super-rich that go to the FSU thinking that they can "buy" their wife, the reality will hit them soon enough too.

Most "super-rich" are not stupid.

I certainly have found that finding a truly genuine woman in the FSU is still a realistic possibility, but the time, energy & money it requires will make many good men think twice.


They should think twice, thrice, etc.

[Cold Warrior]

Way to go Jack.

[MaxxumUSA]

speaking of wtg jack...  has he been posting here at all?

[KenC]

speaking of wtg jack...  has he been posting here at all?

Not lately.
KenC

[2tallbill]

Finding a bride in FSU is an expensive proposition, as we all know. There is a recession in USA, the most effected is the very middle class that makes up most of the men here. They are in their forties and fifties, and they are losing their jobs.

I am sure this business will be seriously effected.

With a substantial lack of shoppers, the women can demand whatever they want, there would not be many takers.

I don't know exactly where to begin.

The most widely accepted determination of business cycle peaks and troughs is made by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). The NBER's definition of a recession is: ". . . a significant decline in activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, visible in industrial production, employment, real income, and wholesale and retail trade."

This has not happened. Growth has been slow but we are definitely
not in a recession. We have slow growth but a recession is a prolonged (for more than three months) time of zero or negative growth.

The dollar has been lowered against other currencies. This will increase exports and reduce imports. But we are NOT in a recession.

My company last month had their biggest ever month in sales.
We are hiring 3 new sales reps this month. We hired a new admin staff person and we are growing leaps and bounds.

My major was Business administration, but my minor was in Economics. The country as a whole is not in a recession. Some areas are doing well and others are experiencing down turns. This is always the case. But as a whole we are not in a recession.

Just my two kopecks,

Bill

[Lit_1nce]

The problem with many companies, is that they hear these talks of recession.. and perhaps business is a bit slower than usual, and they panic. The result is lost jobs. I have seen it at the company I work for.. It's stupid.. now we have to scramble and try and hire  people as it picks up again.

It's inflation that is finally becoming a problem.. We dodged it for the longest time, and that's surprising given the length of time that fuel prices have been high. Of course the corn being used for ethanol isn't helping food costs either.

We have like 57 days worth of oil in the strategic oil reserve.. I wonder what would happen to oil prices if we didn't buy any imported oil for like a month ?

[KenC]

Lit/Bill,
You guys have it right.  I too do not believe there is a recession as much as our economy is just not as robust as before and people are freaking out.  Of course there are specific industries hurting more than others (mortgage, auto and new homes sales).  But even new home sales here in CA are starting to pick up.  I look at this as an adjustment period.  Housing prices went through the roof and we could sell a house for almost any price we imagined.  Now, houses are more realistically priced and they are beginning to sell again.  Welcome back to reality gang!

There definitely is a shake out under way currently.  Many of my competitors have gone under, but I am experiencing record sales.  y only explanation is the the economy was so good that even marginal companies prospered.  Now only the good ones do so.
KenC

[wxman]

I think most of us went through a real recession in the 70s and early 80s. That was widespread throughout the entire economic sector. The 70s had unemployment near 10%, inflation that was double digit, and interest rates near 20%. Today we have unemployment near 5%, inflation around 5% and interest rates below 10%. Most countries could only wish for numbers like that.

[Turboguy]

I have seen a few comments that inflation is low.  I personally don't see that.  I rarely have a day that I don't get a supplier letter with a 10% or more increase and sometime things have nearly doubled in price in the last year.   Freight rates are pushing all prices up.   The diversion of corn to ethonol production has raised food prices and caused farmers to switch from soybeans and other foodstocks to the higher profit corn which will put more pressure on food prices.  The dollar is in the toilet so all imports will be contiuning upward.  Fill up your tank lately?  How about your gas and electric bills.   We held our prices for 16 years and are now printing our price lists in small quantities because we are having to raise prices monthly.  Plastics are through the roof.  Fertilzer that I bought for the last 10 years for $ 16.75 is now $ 26.00 with more increases expected.  I would not be surprised to see $ 4.00 gas and $ 5.00 diesel before the end of summer and until oil prices come down if they ever do there is going to be inflation.

 

[ambach123]

Here is a link from CNN.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/14/news/economy/how_bad/index.htm?postversion=2008041415


I think we are past any debate " if " the country is in recession.

[2tallbill]

Here is a link from CNN.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/14/news/economy/how_bad/index.htm?postversion=2008041415


I think we are past any debate " if " the country is in recession.

 

I agree that debating the non recession when there is excellent proof that we are not in a recession is a futile effort. Below I will prove this is the case using the most highly respected source of economic information. Using such biased information as CNN who pray for a recession to help get Democrats elected is less credible than the Bureau of Economic Analysis official statistics.

Source http://www.bea.gov/glossary/glossary.cfm?letter=R
The definition of a recession: is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. A recession begins just after the economy reaches a peak of activity and ends as the economy reaches its trough. Between trough and peak, the economy is in an expansion. Expansion is the normal state of the economy; most recessions are brief and they have been rare in recent decades.

Source: http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm
The GDP estimates released March 27th are based on more complete source data than were available for the preliminary estimates issued last month.  In the preliminary estimates, the increase in real GDP was also 0.6 percent

Wage and salary accruals for the fourth quarter are now estimated to have increased
$76.5 billion, an upward revision of $7.0 billion.

The increase in GDP is small (.6%) but it's an increase.

Wage and Salary accruals are up (a slight increase considering the size of the economy) $76.5 billion http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2008/tech407p.htm

Real income is up (only slightly) Personal income increased $56.0 billion, or 0.5 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $48.7 billion, or 0.5 percent, in February http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/pi/2008/pi0208.htm

The other factors which indicate small growth are present as well but have not been   officially reported as of yet.

All this being said it is possible for the economy to slip into a recession, but we are not in one now.

My two cents,

Bill

[2tallbill]

Update:
Bureau of Economic Analysis BEA

Released first Quarter Growth Statistics. It shows that the economy is
growing very very slowly .6% for the First Quarter of 2008.

See link below for additional (and boring to most people) information

http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm


Bill

[IAmZon]

Chime in ...

Jack has been vocal, but most a very level headed contributor who certainly has given FAR more than he has received (or, given his business interests, let us say - even Stephen).

I give Jack Bragg a big thumbs up.  AND I GIVE HIM A BIG HELL YEA &*#@ YEA for beating me into the pages of MAXXIM

I like the changes that are underway. They make me feel a ton more comfortable.  In the old days, 10 years ago, I would have felt like a "dirty old man."  I agree with two recent posts ENTIRELY: 
1, A man has got to have GAME.
2, in the end, the story is written in a vacuum " boy meets a girl."

And wholly poop, GATOR!  Is that you on a road trip with Hunter S. Thompson?!?!?!

[William3rd]

Update:
Bureau of Economic Analysis BEA

Released first Quarter Growth Statistics. It shows that the economy is
growing very very slowly .6% for the First Quarter of 2008.

See link below for additional (and boring to most people) information

http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm


Bill

Which is likely to be revised downward substantially when the ol' shell game doesnt work for the administration

[OlgaH]

Here's a link to the article on GQ.  It's actually a fair and balanced article.

http://men.style.com/gq/f...s/landing?id=content_6700

I'm really impressed with the honesty by the owners of MOB agencies 

“The worse the economy, the better this market,” says Nina Rubasheva of the Moscow bridal agency Vesta-Fortune.

Indeed, the best place to find Russian brides is no longer Russia. It’s Ukraine. And not just anywhere in Ukraine. Best to head straight for the postindustrial wasteland of Kharkiv or Lugansk, in the east. “We take advantage of the economical situation,” Bragg explains. “In any area where the economics are declining, these girls are looking to leave.”

True, many of the women who sign up with Volga Girl, or attend one of First Dream’s parties, are poor and desperate and hitting 30 or 35 and saddled with one or two kids from a former marriage.

First Dream’s Jack Bragg knows all about love.

“I go to Moscow”—this is the mid-’90s, after he saw an ad in USA Today for Russian brides—“and I see Svetlana and, oh my God, I fall for Svetlana. She speaks pretty good English, and boy, I could never get a girl like this in the States, and I convinced myself I was going to marry Svetlana. Then I flew to St. Petersburg, because I’d promised to see Veronika. I go to St. Petersburg to see Veronika, and oh my God, she’s stunning. So I come back to the States, and I start to weigh the pros and cons. Svetlana’s a gorgeous girl, but she doesn’t have great tits, and I like tits.”

” And what about Natalia? “She was, is, a wonderful woman.… In our seven-year relationship, six-year marriage, the woman never said no, never had a headache.”

[steviej]

I just read this thread. I remember several weeks ago my wife telling me she read an article in GQ about AM marrying FSUW, and she was very offended by it. Having just read the article now myself, I can see why. Of course, a journalist always has to have a knife with a sharp edge to get in print. She also mentioned, "Why do journalists always try to make everything seem so negative?" We know four other couples around our area (AM/RW) that married within the last 2 - 8 years, and none of them have anything to do with the scenarios painted in that article. Not only that, but I'm sure if you surveyed the married men that participate in this forume, there would be none of them that fit this profile and scenario either. The article completely dehumanized the men and woman as whole, living, breathing, thinking, feeling individuals. Its a typical journalistic trick, find the worst of the worst, then use it as a broad brush to paint an entire area.

Well, that's my 2 cents ...

[av8or1]

Hum... Despite being a newbie, there's not really anything that surprise me.

It doesn't really change my thoughts about it. I know it won't be easy (I must be nuts, that's how I like it. Usually, I find it much more rewarding when you reach your goal), but if I can find a great wife, it will be worth it.

Well Newbie you've got ... I dunno ... something.  Heck my experiences, more than the article, are making me think twice about going again, though I probably will.  That article doesn't help, eventhough I've always taken such things with a grain of salt.  It also doesn't match today's reality much in that it focuses on men who do the tours.  Such men have a few screws loose in my mind.  There are so few tours even being done anymore that you could count 'em on a few fingers.  Even most of the honest agencies are experiencing rough times, perhaps soon to meet the same fate as the tours have, who knows.  And I've met Jack in person a few times but was never impressed.  I'm from TEXAS too and he's the type we born-and-raised TEXANS wished didn't live here or claim to be from here, but I digress...

All newbies, including Caperone, should understand that most of the quotes those guys in that article were throwing out there are not correct.  Those men are living in a fantasy land.  If there's one thing my trips have taught me it's that women are women are women everywhere.  Like the one woman in the article who stated that several women there might use a man to get the visa only for the purpose of coming to the USA (wait...isn't that a contradiction of the article's basic premise that RW aren't willing to live with some "loser" just to come to the USA?), you should be aware that it's difficult, incredibly so, to find what most of us are searching for: devotion, loyalty, faithfulness and reliability/trustworthiness.  My own circumstances pretty much force my hand into going back (I don't want a woman who already has children and that takes out SO many local possibilities) or else, to be quite open, I probably wouldn't.  After two failed K-1 attempts, I'm finding it difficult to get motivated to try again even WITH my hand "being forced." (and even that's relative)  As others have mentioned, it can be done I think, but you have to beat the bushes harder these days.  A LOT harder.  Caperone if you can find that "great wife" more power to you.  I just hope you and other newbies like you are prepared for the long, hard, expensive and no-real-end-in-sight road that lies ahead.  Most newbies I've met think they are but in the end they learn that they aren't cut out for this endeavor.  That in and of itself is ok.  It's the guys who don't listen to their instinct who inevitably run into problems.  Take it from me, I've been there.  Just recently.  TRUST YOUR INSTINCT ABOVE ALL ELSE AND IF IT'S TELLING YOU TO PULL THE D-RING AND BAIL, THEN PULL THE D-RING AND BAIL!!!!!

Ok 'nuff of that.  So why me, why again?  Crazy I guess.  Nah, my big motivation is my own family.  I want children and that "white picked fence syndrome" thing is still playing a pretty big number somewhere inside me, so ... guess I'll try again.  The current plan is to get back on the horse and ride again around Labor Day.  Don't have time to waste and I'm not getting any younger, so...

And I agree with the other guys who assert that the rising economy in Russia is a good thing.  On my past few trips I have seen fewer and fewer losers.  I always loathed how RW would see them and think we were all that way.  There was some JERK from the UK in Tver last November.  He was pissing and moaning around the office about how none of the women liked him.  When I tried to speak with him a bit to give him a Western ear to bend I quickly learned why: "...none of them even have big tits..." sheesh!  I was done, game over.  He left a few days later.  I felt sorry for the women who met him.  'Point being that maybe wastes-of-space like that will stop going, that'd be the good news.

I'll end this somewhat-rambling-at-1-am post with a question about the article: what in the HECK was up with the assertion that Russia isn't the place to look for Russian women anymore, that Ukraine was???  WTF?  Some sort of sick humor or something?  Men have been going to Ukraine just as long as they have been going to Russia and so MUCH more so after 2005 when the visa requirement was removed.  And Kharkov/Lugansk?  Everyone and their dog goes to Kharkov and Lugansk is the scam capitol (please let's NOT start up that argument again) ... just don't get it.  Heck for me, it's the other way around.  I have been going to Russia purposely to avoid the FLOOD of guys going to Ukraine.  Am I missing something?  I can't imagine that times are THAT tough in Kharkov....eh, it can't be serious.

Eh, whatever.  To quote AJ:

*shrugs*

steviej: good post, liked your wife's comments.

Keep ya posted, letcha know where I will be going.  Currently considering 3 places seriously (all in Russia) and one as an emergency-only backup (Ukraine).  If anyone else is contemplating a trip around that time, perhaps we can link up...

Jerry

[catzenmouse]

Jerry,

 I really like your way of thinking! Good stuff there and I truly had a good laugh while agreeing with your thoughts and observations.

 Knowing what you want and what you are willing to do is a major part of the battle and I believe that you've got that part down so just keep the faith and don't lose that focus on the finish line!

Ken

[TwoBitBandit]

TRUST YOUR INSTINCT ABOVE ALL ELSE AND IF IT'S TELLING YOU TO PULL THE D-RING AND BAIL, THEN PULL THE D-RING AND BAIL!!!!!

Amen to that.  I've learned the same thing the hard way.  The biggest mistake when dealing with women of any flavor is not to listen to your intuition.  You gotta know when to fold 'em.