A letter to Ambach123

[Ridersfan]

Ridersfan,  I think you need to read the entire thread and some other posts by ambach before you offer advice.  He has never been to the FSU.  As far as your comments on the apartments, although my apartment does have a security door, the great majority don't, and I've never seen a security guard/parking manager outside of any rental apartments.  Maybe I've been slumming it all these years, but I don't think so.  I've never read anyone here mention this before either.  I'd be interested to hear the experiences of others with this.

  I have read all of his posts. You might want to do the same.

I have been to FSU, many times, personally I did not find much racism; actually I was treated very well, they were somewhat curious, but almost everyone was very courteous.

 Every apartment I rented in Kiev, and the one I rented in Kharkov, had a security person of some sort, either outside or just inside the door.

[Ooooops]

The appt we've rented in Kiev 3 years ago had no security code, metal door, guard or anything or this sort.   But then, of course, we didn't pay much for it nor did we had anything valuable left in appt while we were gone.   

[ScottinCrimea]

  I have read all of his posts. You might want to do the same.
 Every apartment I rented in Kiev, and the one I rented in Kharkov, had a security person of some sort, either outside or just inside the door.

I know that in one post he wrote that he has been to the FSU many times, but I think none of us believe this.  In his profile he states 1-3 visits, certainly not "many". He knows absolutely nothing about the countries.  He freely admitted this when he said, "I can hardly tell where these countries are, I freely admit."  He knows nothing about the visa process for visiting, the cities, the culture, the people or the women specifically.  I think anyone who has read his posts would doubt that he's been there even once, let alone many times.

I still want to hear from others regarding the security guard issue.  So far, counting us, it's one yes and three no's. If you mean the babushkas sitting outside the doors, though, I would agree with you.  

[ambach123]

To clear the confusion I have visited Lithuania several times on business. Boston - Amsterdam - Vilnius. ; short visits. I found Lithuanians to be very much like the Europeans. Stayed in a hotel. EU member, most people speak some English. I believe the Baltics are not Slavics. They resent being called " Russians ".

[ambach123]

Coming back to the topic, I appreciate the suggestions about the body language.

Some people here suggest that very few first meetings turn into second meetings. My rep at the agency tells me that most of the first meetings would want a second meeting. I know the consequences of making the wrong decision.

Ridersfan you seem to have been pursuing this for a while, with several trips, what is your experience?

[Ooooops]

I believe the Baltics are not Slavics. They resent being called " Russians ".

Oh dear...       And why exactly are you looking for a Russian wife?   

[ambach123]

One can certainly look for a wife in Lithuania, Poland and assorted other countries. I would not know where to even start.

As you know Ukraine has a bridal industry.

I also like the Slavic look.

As they say in my language " don't count your chickens before they are hatched". A visit does not make a success.

[Ooooops]

As you know Ukraine has a bridal industry.

I also like the Slavic look.

Oh, I see...      And I'm definitely with you on "цыплят по осени считают"...

[BorisS]

Oh, I see...      And I'm definitely with you on "цыплят по осени считают"...

Chickens on the autumn are counted?  :brightidea:

[GreginGa]

  I have read all of his posts. You might want to do the same.
 Every apartment I rented in Kiev, and the one I rented in Kharkov, had a security person of some sort, either outside or just inside the door.

Funny that reminds me of the old lady that used to sit downstairs of her building. She had seen me going in and out for a week and everytime Katy wasnt with me she would give me hell. She would be on my ass like a dog on a bone. So oneday i bought her a hamburger from McDonalds and some fries. She just said spasiba and smiled. She never questioned me again after that. I also usually buy the ole boy in Kiev a bottle or 2 during my stay. He keeps a good eye out for me and actually saved my ass while trying to get into my apartment during the Independence Day parade back in 2002. A $4 bottle of vodka goes a long way at times. He's let me store my luggage before in his little place. I hope he's there in Sept. I'll buy him another drink. Nice guy.

[Gator]

O'Briens - I met women there, not dined there.  One exception - I dined there once and found the food insipid.

Not my experience of many visits, but I hope you complained - The owner is a great chap - met him at a British Embassy garden party - I'm sure he would have sorted you out .. I have taken clients there for food and they loved it...viz

No reason to complain; it is what it is - plain Irish/British cuisine using Ukrainian supplies.  Reminds me of the old joke defining Heaven and Hell where in Heaven the English are the police and in Hell the English are the cooks, French are the mechanics, Swiss, Italians, Germans, etc.

Regarding food, I am demanding and finicky, preferring a full palette of hot, sour, salty, sweet and bitter (e. g., SE Asia).  So in Ukraine I settled for Italian, Georgian shashlik, Sushi, and lots of cheese and bread and fruit.
 

knowing how and when to say/ask  these things comes a lot easier if she is interested in you.. I reckon this lady did you a favour, anyway !

Valid point, Mark, as the odds were probably against me on my best day.  Yet, I was not relaxed and not reading my date, and thus wasted the opportunity even if it were slight.

The primary point is that Ambach does not seem relaxed about this venture.  IMO, he needs to be.

[Gator]

Every apartment I rented in Kiev, and the one I rented in Kharkov, had a security person of some sort, either outside or just inside the door.

The best I encountered was the resident of the first apartment keeping his door open to see who came and went.

The worst is the babushka cleaning lady who whispers "prostitute" under her breath as you and your date egress.

[groovlstk]

Funny that reminds me of the old lady that used to sit downstairs of her building. She had seen me going in and out for a week and everytime Katy wasnt with me she would give me hell. She would be on my ass like a dog on a bone.

Greg, I think this is your babushka

http://www.exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=14750&IBLOCK_ID=35&phrase_id=8710

[msmoby_ru]

No reason to complain; it is what it is - plain Irish/British cuisine using Ukrainian supplies.

Aha.. you're walking into "big trouble" with that statement Irish / British cuisine "plain"..  My wife said that BEFORE she came...and left with lots of recipes and a more enlightened mind.. ( UK TV has 9 dedicated cooking / wine / lifestyle channels ) .. also the menu at O'Brien's caters for all sorts of tastes .. ( I should get commssion for this )...

Gator I'm a big fan of Georgian / Armenian - spicy food - interesting food, so try something like their Boxty - an Irish style blini - and enjoy ... What's WRONG with Ukrainian ingredients?.. !

BTW the "Irish" band they had the last time I was there was made of of Ukrainians- and they were "top drawer".. they made the evening..

 Reminds me of the old joke defining Heaven and Hell where in Heaven the English are the police and in Hell the English are the cooks, French are the mechanics, Swiss, Italians, Germans, etc.

Think you mean this
In Heaven:

The cooks are French,
The policemen are English,
The mechanics are German,
The lovers are Italian,
The bankers are Swiss.


In Hell:

The cooks are English,
The policemen are German,
The mechanics are French,
The lovers are Swiss,
The bankers are Italian.

The primary point is that Ambach does not seem relaxed about this venture.  IMO, he needs to be.

I don't know.. I reckon Ambach has behaved like he knows all there is to know ....  I REALLY look forward to his trip report..

[KenC]

Aha.. you're walking into "big trouble" with that statement Irish / British cuisine "plain"..  My wife said that BEFORE she came...and left with lots of recipes and a more enlightened mind..

Your wife must be one heck of a cook if she needs "recipes" for boiled corned beed and cabbage!
KenC

[msmoby_ru]

Your wife must be one heck of a cook if she needs "recipes" for boiled corned beed and cabbage!
KenC

Yep.. like I thought all Russian women were muscular ( manly) and had hairy armpits, when I was a kid ...   ...

[OlgaH]

Think you mean this
In Heaven:

The cooks are French,
The policemen are English,
The mechanics are German,
The lovers are Italian,
The bankers are Swiss.


In Hell:

The cooks are English,
The policemen are German,
The mechanics are French,
The lovers are Swiss,
The bankers are Italian.

Ah, Russians are the golden mean 

[msmoby_ru]

Henna.      I always wanted to get a real deal but couldn't decide on design, so alas... never got it and now it's probably to late already... 

Naw, think you are wise.. you can change the design.. and later in life you might regret "defacing" your bod ...

[msmoby_ru]

To clear the confusion I have visited Lithuania several times on business. Boston - Amsterdam - Vilnius. ; short visits. I found Lithuanians to be very much like the Europeans. Stayed in a hotel. EU member, most people speak some English. I believe the Baltics are not Slavics. They resent being called " Russians ".

Thanks for clearing that one up, ambach, but I *think* you'll find referring to Lithuania as a FSU country isn't very "wise" to the vast maj. of Lithuanians!

Of all the Baltic states that came under Soviet control, LT was the least affected by influx of Ethnic Russians..They were the most "progessive" in offering the ethnic Russians citizenship.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Russians_in_Lithuania

So, strictly speaking, ambach *can* say he has visited a FSU country... but *I* wouldn't add that in  my profile as a "visit"... any more than Hungary or Poland...! ... it certainly won't help much, experience wise, to help prepare him for his visit to UA in September !

[Ooooops]

Yep.. like I thought all Russian women were muscular ( manly) and had hairy armpits, when I was a kid ...   ...

When you were a kid most of Russian women had hairy armpits.   I still remember Moscow subway in the summer...      Good thing I grew up very tall very quick so I could look up above armpits...   

[OlgaH]

  Good thing I grew up very tall very quick so I could look up above armpits...   

Lucky girl   

[Ooooops]

Lucky girl   

Yep.       I think that's why everybody was reading books in subway - to save themselves from looking at fellow countrymen/women   

[OlgaH]

Yep.       I think that's why everybody was reading books in subway - to save themselves from looking at fellow countrymen/women   

and that bent for reading became a tradition that is kept by new generation. Russia always has been a reading country, especially during the Soviet time 

[Blues Fairy]

and that bent for reading became a tradition that is kept by new generation. Russia always has been a reading country, especially during the Soviet time 

Seeing what junk most of my fellow countrymen read nowadays, I sometimes wish they stopped reading altogether.

[OlgaH]

Seeing what junk most of my fellow countrymen read nowadays, I sometimes wish they stopped reading altogether.

You are right. A young woman with "Turgenev" is such a rarity...

At least that  fellow countrymen don't forget the Cyrillic alphabet