How important is money?

[Green Tea]

I'm curious to hear your opinions on the correlation between Russian women and a man's net worth. I am still a young guy (29 years old), and have been working in the FSU for the past 5 years. During this time, I've met quite a few stunning and charming young women who seemed to throw themselves at foreign men for no other reason than money.

Allow me to give a few examples:

In 2004 I was working in Tallinn, Estonia and had the good fortune to meet a very attractive Russian-Estonian named Lena. She and I met on the internet. I had not seen a photo of her prior to our meeting. The first time we met in real life I couldn't believe my eyes, such an incredibly good looking girl (she was 22 at the time) meeting with me without ever having seen my photo. I felt way out of my league. But she was nice, kind, not at all cold as I would have expected from such a beauty. Sadly, the words 'my boyfriend' came out of her mouth about a dozen times during our first meeting. So, we became friends. We started to meet a couple of times a week for drinks, or go to the movies. I understood she was using me, in part, to practice her English. But that was OK. Anyway, she told me all about her German boyfriend (20 years her senior) who she had met in a Tallinn nightclub, and who flew back and forth between Germany and Estonia every few weeks. He was apparently some rich banker or economist, was renting an apartment for her, and he had invited her for a vacation in Cuba. When she got back to Tallinn from Cuba, we met again and she showed me the photos of her trip. This German guy had to be the scrawniest little ugly weakling I have ever seen in my life. I simply could not understand why she was with him. He didn't speak a word of Russian, his English was poor, and she didn't speak any German at all. I couldn't, and still to this day can't understand it. The only explanation is money!  Oh, and they are married now, by the way! 

Next, last year in Minsk, Belarus. I had a few friends who worked in the diplomatic community, who I used to meet with socially. One worked at the Venezuelan embassy and the other was a Chinese political reporter. These two guys were serious club-goers. Every girl in Minsk seemed to know them, so one time when I agreed to go with them to a 'disco', they decided to prop me up and tell some girls that I was a diplomat as well. Yes, I understood it was a dishonest thing to do, but it was a drunken night out and I partly wanted to see what would happen! I guess the aura of money is like an aphrodisiac for women, because they were all over me that night. A big change from all my other nightclub experiences when I would tell a girl about my profession and would have to battle the rest of the night to impress her.

Most recently, Donetsk, August. I was in the Ukraine for a visa run and decided to wait the 14 days visa processing time by traveling around the country. After 6 days my money was running low and I decided to park myself in Donetsk and wait out the days. Luck would have it; I met a lovely young Ukrainian named Mariana in Donetsk. She was a student on summer holiday and after we met she wanted to spend a lot of time with me. Great Right!? Well, yes, but my money was in a sore place. I tried to suggest we go for walks, visit the beach, and do things that didn't require much money. But as you can imagine, she wanted to go to cafes, movies, go shopping. After a few days I had to tell her that I was very low on money and suggested that we try to be more economical without our activities. Well, she disappeared like a puff of smoke after that.

Those are only 3 personal examples. I've witnessed it time and time again. It seems to me that attractive Russian women know that their good looks are a bankable commodity and they have no problems using it to gain something or at least have fun. Even younger girls, 18-19 years old with $500 mobile phones, in a Russian city where the average monthly income is $300. It makes me shake my head, but it is perfectly normal for Russians.

What do you think about it? I know women around the world since the start of time have used their good looks to gain an advantage in life. But I think in Russia and FSU it is far more common. 

[Misha]

I'm curious to hear your opinions on the correlation between Russian women and a man's net worth. I am still a young guy (29 years old), and have been working in the FSU for the past 5 years. During this time, I've met quite a few stunning and charming young women who seemed to throw themselves at foreign men for no other reason than money.

Do you speak any Russian?

My wife is very attractive and when we met she was 26. Our first dates included going to a cafe, going to a cheap movie, and that was about it. We never went shopping, We did not go to any expensive restaurants. I spent very little and much of the time we simply spent together going for walks or at her place or mine. On one our "dates" we went out to a village to hoe some potatoes. If she was interested in me for no other reason than money, she would have dumped me immediately. So, my observation is that not all women are interested solely in money.

[Green Tea]

You're a lucky man Misha! That's the sort of relationship I am looking for. Not that I mind spending money when I've got it! 

[Green Tea]

Oh, and yes I speak Russian fairly well.

[Misha]

Oh, and yes I speak Russian fairly well.

In that case, don't date RW looking for foreigners.

[Vaughn]

much of the time we simply spent together going for walks or at her place or mine. On one our "dates" we went out to a village to hoe some potatoes.

I always recommend plenty of "time in the kitchen". Hoeing potatoes, walks in the park,
roasting shashlik outside, dips in the river - all fall into my "kitchen" category - and are
times my wife and I did some high quality bonding. Misha, I suspect that your lovely wife
embodies some very solid core values as I perceive things.

How many times I heard her say, "Don't buy that - I know where we can get it for less..."

[Lily]

Green Tea, what can I say...Sad, sad story. I am very sorry for you. There is indeed a tendency among women, them being Russian has nothing to do with it, to try to use their looks as bankable commodity Of note, especially the night club species are inclined to this. But see, who said life is fair?

What is even more sad is that men seem to feel allright with an idea that their women are with them only for their vallets That German apparently has no illusions about his attractiveness.

Not all women are like that, however. In real life I have not witnessed many of them, just merely heard that this or that woman left her boyfriend when he became short of money. At the same time, there are women out there who realize that they have to work in order to have a comfortable lifestyle and to enjoy nice things in life.

The only way out of this that I see would be, as earlier said - make yourself as attractive as you can. Be interesting, be sparkling and bold. One does hardly need lots od money for this. That may eventually compensate. I don't see any other way out.

[Blues Fairy]

You simply haven't met the right one yet; no need to generalize. 
Perhaps instead of looking in nightclubs, you should start meeting girls who frequent bookstores and art museums.

[Jumper]

I really dint find your stories unusual for the FSU, or for anywhere else in the world..


This is one of those questions noone likes to hear the real answers to?

yes some women will look for only a man of some wealth..
same as some men only look for a certain size of anatomy..

both equally as shallow,, and as long as it suits both parties,  its the real world afterall.?


and of course,money is important  for a lot of fundamental reasons,,

but the womans (and mans) actual  perception, or expectation, of what constitutes a normal lifestyle ,
is what defines  wether you would find a girls expectations  *appalling gold digger*, or *normal*
this varies GREATLY culture to culture ,and even within any countries social strata?

where a person crosses the line of moneys importance verses thier ability to care for someone solely for thier personailty,, is a going to be an endless debate?
in a perfect world  personality, character,ethics/morals , etc would be the  biggest defining element,, and money would play zero part right? but you cant eat those character traits if taken to extreem?
  and a womans beauty or outward appearence wouldn't be so relavent to men..
thats an age old debate here and everywhere..?

 
relative wealth  is REALLY important if you have nothing else to offer.
same could be said for beauty or "looks"?


as tainted  as it all may seem..

A truly charming man seldom needs any wealth to have plenty of ladies around..
a truly wealthy man may not need much,, but  still needs some personality.

and there's always the case of a guy with both..
just like a woman with looks ,character and intelligence.
(but she likely wont need any wealth right )



as far as RW..
my wife would be long gone if wealth had much to do with our marriage.
but i'm not so naive to think that my  lifestyle was viewed as adaquete or she wouldn't have dated me long enough to find
me marriage material ,thats all part of the dating process anywhere.


and face it, no matter where you stand now ,
there will ALWAYS be someone smarter, more handsome, wealthier or in a better position in life!

if a womans (or mans) commitment to the relationship isnt beyond that simple temptation to take an easier route,
or easy upgrade,  then love never existed in the first place , or has faded away .

[msmoby_ru]

Hi Green Tea

just to add to the comments of the other posters... If you are looking for a FSUW you need to remember that when they come to your country they may have to rely on your support as they probably can't do the same job - qualifications not recognised, etc.

So, any girl may be looking to see if you are stable economically .. not necessary loaded..

Take your time and listen to the advice of the FSU ladies above.. you haven't met the right one yet..

Good luck !

[Gator]

GreenTea,

You are very fortunate to reside in the FSU and see these sweet women every day. 

Something bothers me.  RW are everywhere, and you would have bumped into hundreds by now.  With your Russian speaking abilities, you should have met a few worthy RW with mutual interest.  So what’s the story?  Are you shy?

How important is marriage among your many goals?  Women’s intuition can read your level of seriousness about marriage, and if all you want is a girlfriend, RW will evaluate you for how you will improve their life now.

[Sculpto]

Shyness can be a real show stopper, even if Green Tea is surrounded by beautiful ladies.

I know when I first arrived in Donetsk I felt very shy, even almost intimidated by all the beautiful ladies.  But, I allowed myself to experiment with different approaches and gained confidence very rapidly because I kept getting postive responses.

Green Tea.. my suggestion is to take some chances.. make an effort to come out of your shell.  You are in a place that gives you a chance for real personal growth in this area and the reward for your effort could be very significant and life changing.  I know it made a big difference in my life, even if I did not find a match on that first trip to Donetsk the confidence I gained in myself made a big difference in my interactions with women here at home.

[ambach123]

This is an expensive proposition in more ways than one; you need money.

Are the FSU women interested in money? Like any other woman anywhere else in the world they are interested in a better life. So money or lack of it cannot be underestimated.

A better life and lavish dating are two completely different things which have nothing in common.
In my experience, the agency women are specifically interested in someone with money for a good time.

My girl lives in Western Ukraine, she paid her way to Kiev to see me, refused my efforts to reimburse her, and did not want to go to any expensive restaurants. Cafes wer fine with her.

I would second Misha's experience.

So there are all kinds.

[dispozo]

My experience is the same as Misha and Vaughn.

Weeding the kitchen garden, cooking meals together and walking everywhere. Visiting family and friends and get know everyone.

She has never asked for a dime and refused any money help.

[UTRO]

My experience is the same as Misha and Vaughn.

Weeding the kitchen garden, cooking meals together and walking everywhere. Visiting family and friends and get know everyone.

She has never asked for a dime and refused any money help.

Yep, weeding and picking the late harvest strawberries out of Dad's dacha garden before the bugs get to them
I don't know GT, my girl has always been simple and she scolds me for the money I'm willing to spend for something she finds unnecessary. She appreciates the expense(s) I face on travelling to Russia and she shows it... not just speaks it.
I think us 'Older Canucks' have an advantage over you 'Younger Canucks' in the sense that the RW we pursue lived at least half of their lives during the Soviet era. The FSU women who you pursue are not much different from those of the same age in the West. They are completely different than their predecessors, somewhat more spoiled and materialistic....
Perhaps due to the change in Domestic Economics and FSU Mentality, the pool of FSU Women who are seeking a WM for the 'right' reason is drying up?

[GoodOlBoy]

I always recommend plenty of "time in the kitchen". Hoeing potatoes, walks in the park,
roasting shashlik outside, dips in the river - all fall into my "kitchen" category - and are
times my wife and I did some high quality bonding. Misha, I suspect that your lovely wife
embodies some very solid core values as I perceive things.

How many times I heard her say, "Don't buy that - I know where we can get it for less..."

And if your in Siberia...don't forget the sacred "mushroom picking" expeditions to the forest. They are tasty and GREAT FUN!!

[Chicagoguy]

I have dated a number of Russian women and have never found any much interested in money. Maybe they figure that if you have the ability to leave work, fly all the way over there, rent an a flat or hotel room and spring for a few restaurants that you are OK.

However, I believe a complete lack of money or a cheapskate would irritate them.

I think you should spend about the same you would as if you were at home.

Also, maybe my observations are different because of the women I dated. All over age 50.

[UTRO]

And if your in Siberia...don't forget the sacred "mushroom picking" expeditions to the forest. They are tasty and GREAT FUN!!

Haven't done this, but Svet's Dad does. They preserve them with salt in jars. Tsar Mushrooms?

[Diplomacy]

They hunt for mushrooms in Ukraine.  Just be careful of the ones you can only eat once   Usually late September and October is good to hunt mushrooms.  They found 4 kg one day.  Now that is some serious mushrooms.

I am right there with crew kitchen garden.  The best time I had was in the village, and meeting the family.  I was a couple weeks early, I missed the real fun.  They built another greenhouse for. Not to mention tomato that had taste mmmm! 

Her father was very impressed with my skills.  I could not believe he tried to get me to mess with the Texas Chili.  I laughed and said Tejas Chili lol.  He realized his little prank backfired, and laughed real hard.