Who's hunting Who?

[BC]

I know that most RW oriented sites are built for men.. and men will be men, talk and walk like men.

Reading through threads here and elsewhere I find quite a few topics discussing the best methods, approaches and success stories etc how to more or less 'bag' a RW. Some of these posts remind me of stories swapped in a lodge after a hunt.  "Yeah I want to find a trophy woman.. Why not.. my aim and weaponry is good enough." or "I met her and knew right away she was the woman for me" or "my RW is so good!" etc.  (I have not used real examples here, but it is not hard to find them here and many other places we hang out.)

Those that boast extraordinary 'bagging' skills with RW or any other W for that matter have it completely wrong IMHO.  You may think you are a hunter and your skills will assure bounty but this is not really the case at all with ?W.

Surely our conscious or unconcious hunter instincts tend to rear head but when the 'prey' is lined up in front of you with a director(interpreter or agency) instructing your prey to move left, right or wherever you desire it's not really hunting is it? The only real process involved is trying to LOCATE a woman of your liking.. The final choice however whether or not your advances are accepted will always depend on the womans evaluation of you and not vice versa.

I think it would be interesting and constructive to discuss deeper motivational factors that make a RW so enticing for men.  A minority of posters here and elsewhere seem to stress the 'know thyself before you go' attitude which is often obviously ignored by many new and even seasoned seekers.

For example when I see the word 'poor' in just about any context contained in a post my gut feeling says either here's another 'white night' or a person that seeks to play a controlling role with his prospective mate.

I really think many of the "RW values" expressed as being sooo positive or desireable are often simply used as an excuse or cover for a deeper hidden agenda. Quite honestly my experience dosen't reflect many of these values.. The only items I can really confirm with my experience is that my wife has a unique accent in this part of the world, is younger than I would be able to marry (not date) in this part of the world and that this has been the most challenging long term relationship I have ever experienced.

Don't get me wrong.. I am not one of those 'holier than thou' folks and will be the first to admit my thoughts have often wandered many of the paths I described..

I guess my basic question is:

What is your true and honest motivation for seeking a RW?

Being that we are all quite anonymous here it shouldn't be too hard to really bare it all..

[Admin]

I guess my basic question is:

What is your true and honest motivation for seeking a RW?

Well, I didn't set out to seek a RW. In my case, I had been privileged to travel throughout most of Asia and much of Europe. I'd lived in Taiwan and in German, and seen numerous examples of foreign 'visitors' married to a local (usually expat men to local women). Nearly all of these relationships seemed at least as strong as those I'd witnessed back home. That experience really opened my mind to the prospect of an inter-cultural marriage.

The next part of it was that I was often travelling to Ukraine for business. In the course of my travels, I was lucky enough to be introduced to the lady who later became my wife.

I wasn't explicity seeking a RW - though I know that many guys here are doing that. I just happened to find someone whom I fell in love with and who has proven my decision to be one of (maybe THE) very best decision I've ever made - and she happened to be from Ukraine. If she'd been from Malaysia or Germany or Timbuktu, it wouldn't have made any difference to me.

Probably doesn't get to the core of your question - but it's my experience. FWIW

- Dan

[BC]

Probably doesn't get to the core of your question - but it's my experience. FWIW- Dan

Dan,

Your experience certainly cannot be discounted.

[TigerPaws]

Why I went to Russia for a wife?

 Well lets see the vast majority of American women in the age group I was interested in at the time (25 to 29) were either not interested in a 45 year old man with 2 teen age children or were gold diggers. As for the American women in the 35 year old age range (plus or minus) why should a man have to compromise for a worn out feminist in the throws of mentapause with most likely teen age children of her own?

 Russia seemed like the perfect place, the country was poor, the men are mostly bums, drunks or otherwise undesireable, the country is large and there are a lot of possibilities for a man willing to put an effort into his search. American men are generally preceived as better husbands and fathers who lead a healthier life style and are more stable than Russian men. That coupled with the possibility and even the expectation of a better life as well as a host of other reasons make Russia a wife hunters paradise.

 

[KenC]

I guess my basic question is:

What is your true and honest motivation for seeking a RW?

 

I would have to say that I wasn't looking for a wife, Russian or otherwise.  I was leading a rather happy life as a bachelor.  I had no problem in finding female companionship here at home.  I met a lot of AW via the Net.  I had stumbled upon a MOB site from Russia and was very intrigued.  I remember even printing a few profiles to show my golfing buddy.  I was amazed that women so young would be seriously interested in men my age (46 at the time)  I was also intrigued by Russia itself.  Even though I am third generation here, I am 100% Russian.  Occasionally I would surf some of the websites but never really intended to do anything abut it.  I did contact one agency, Lifetime Partners out of Tver, Russia.  I did sign up to receive their video tape of some of the women in an interview type session.  Again, no plans for any action on my part.

One night, I checked LTP's site and they had a new program.  They listed about 6 girls that you could phone call direct.  Of course there was some unGodly charge per minuite and all the girls listed were real lookers.  Lena was one of the girls listed.  The first sight of her photo took my breath away.  None of the others were even interesting to me.  I picked up the phone and called her.  We got to know each other rather well through daily (nightly) phone calls.  About 45 days later I was on a plane going to meet her.  The rest is history.  Two funny things about this though: Lena only received single phone calls from two other guys!  I had previously skimmed over her profile on the site and her interview on the video.  The profile photo is the worst photo I have ever seen of her and of course I skipped over her because she was way too young for me.

I didn't seek out a RW at all, I just went to Russia to meet a young lady that I had become friends with vis our phone calls.

KenC

[schlegs]

I guess my basic question is:

What is your true and honest motivation for seeking a RW?

I don't have a Russian wife.  I have a wife who just happens to be Russian.

[TigerPaws]

schelgs,

 Nice thought but that is besides the point, we all went to the FSU for various reasons some on business, some to meet new people and some to find the perfect lady.

[anono]

my story..  i'm a lifelong bachelor by choice and the only reason marriage ever comes up is because if you want to have an enduring realtionship with a U/RW and have the freedom to travel in the usa and abroad, you'd have to marry her.

why U/RU? as some posters have mentioned, look at the dating pool. most AW i know, it's all about them. they act as if PMS is a right to act in any manner they want and it's justified.

our society has become a nation of pussy whupped men who are coerced into thinking only what a woman thinks and feels matters. speak out about equality from a man's point of view and we're called sexist.

i don't know about you, but this is a man's world and american women do not seem to know how to deal with it in a healthy way. olga's posts about american women and our culture are correct but only skim the surface.

i do not know how many rude AW i have met and it's obvious she got by in life on her looks because her personality was insufferable. when i hear an AW say men only want sex, i understand it is because this is all she has to offer.

i have been forwarned by AW to not behave like their ex-husband although i have not given them any reason to think i am anything like their ex-husband. they carry so much baggage you need a train to follow them to carry it all. then you usually are dealing with her several children and a controlling ex.

i tell my local friends that on every level, for every reason. U/RW are better in every way than AW. the only drawback is they are 5000 miles away. it isn't only that most are younger, they are more eductated, less selfish, they know what's important in a relationship. they know it's a two ways street. it os not "me, me me" or "take, take , take". if a U/RW decides you are her man, other men cease to exist in her eyes as a lover. you become a unit without a power struggle. U/RW want a man and know it's a man's world and want us to BE men. they are happy and love being a woman. they know they can have anything they want if they just treat us right. AW want to see how much they can get while doing the least.

i sometimes start looking for a local AW for the times i spend here in between my trips to ukraine. it doesn't take long to realize why i started looking in ukraine and russia. the AW around here are insufferable bitches.

i received a mesaage from an AW who asked if i was available, itold her i do not date AW any more. this was through text messages and as you know, i do not capitalize my letters. i sent "american woman" she replied "American". she reminded me why i look to ukraine and russian women. they are not always trying to "correct" me and tell me i'm wrong.

AW are fast becoming the least desirable women for those men with a choice.

[Bruce]

Anno - I know exactly where you are coming from.  The best motivation for me to go back to Russia was dating or better yet, meeting single American women.

[BC]

I met my wife while travelling in a non FSU country.  We met purely by chance. Neither of us was actively looking for a mate. She was the first Russian woman I ever met and talked to. When we met, sparks flew and we both seemed to 'know' something had happened.  I did a lot of travelling during the following period and since she worked for extended periods at sea we did not have any contact until a couple of months later when business took me to south Ukraine which was not too far from her home in RU.  We met again during that trip had a great time together in Ukraine.  I proposed to her on the fourth day of this trip. We then went to visit her city and family in RU for another two weeks and cemented our engagement with plans to marry one month later.  

When I returned I was doing some google searches to find info about Russian marriages and immigration matters and ran across all the MOB sites.. boy what a shock! All this scam stuff made me a bit paranoid so signed up to one of the discussion boards to investigate the MOB situation. Since no obvious red flags were present, discounted a scam possibility.  At that point I was already committed anyway.

One month later we married in RU and two months later carried her over the threshold of her new home.  Her daughter followed on at the end of the school year in RU and six months later our son was born.

I guess I really had no motivation at all except for the normal desires to date and eventually remarry. Her youth, beauty(in my eyes) and accent were more like icing on the cake rather than substance I was actively looking for.  This is why my interest is peaked by those following the less than conventional MOB path and their motivations.

From what I see so far we have two very lucky folks who were not looking, one that managed to hit a hole in one with very limited MOB searching needed, one that clearly knew the values he was looking for and found her and one with unspecified response.

To sum up so far disregarding subjective issues like beauty, values etc we seem to be mostly older, economically stable guys that most by luck and some by design found younger women from the FSU.

Luck, money and older men not hesitant to accept younger women are the dominant motivators so far.  Has to be more to MOB than that... or?

(edit) Thanks anono.. I guess "AW alergy" would be acceptable as a motivator that is not too subjective I believe you also prefer a younger woman and are economically stable?

 


 

[anono]

good post..  the only thing making me uncomfortable with it is the notion of a MOB.  i do not think they really exist. the women i met would not dream of leaving their family and country for a man they do not love or do not see the possibility of loving...

[Bruno]

BC : What is my true and honest motivation for seeking a RW ?

Difficult question !!! From my time in Royal Navy, i have visited several country from FSU and i have like the spirit of these people... and because i am not homo, i have choose RW...

But for my first marriage with RW, i have choose a young sexy wife, maybe because of the "trophy" complex... and i was not ready to marry...

These time, i have choose a FSU woman because i like always the spirit, the "old" mentality ... but about the woman, i have use the same selection that for Belgium woman... +- 5 year around my age, don't take care ( too much ) about the physical, and have some compatibility ( heart and mind )...

Some people say that i am "old" minded, romantic,... and i can find the value i respect in Russian people...

And i think that several people who have visit FSU country have fall in "love" from these country !!!

In general, it's a numbers game, plain and simple. If a man wants a relationship, then he must get in the game and meet women - the more women, the better his odds of finding a compatible lady. Numbers are key, but who has time to meet a plethora of women? So, quality plays an important role as well. When a man can meet a sizable quantity of quality ladies, he will soon find two things. He'll find who he is looking for, and he'll find someone looking for him. Searching for a partner in Russia will satisfy both rate and ratio - work smarter, not harder.

The most common complaint I hear from men is the limited selection of suitable partners in the west. I think the reasons there are so few good women to choose from are two-fold. First, men aren't stupid. They know a good woman when they have one, and they hold on to her. Thus the herd is thinned considerably by marriage and serious long-term relationships. The second reason is the feminist movement. Gender-feminist lesbian misandrists have corrupted a significant portion of western women, and turned them into androgynous drones. Running a close third is the career woman. Right or wrong, her career is her priority. Fourth and perhaps the most insidious reason of all is fast food and sweat pants - nuff said!

Anyone who has surfed Russian bride sites on the Internet has probably been exposed to a lot of bull twang. It's ludicrous to claim that all Russian women are this and that, or all western women are the other. There is a mix of good honorable women and bad disreputable women in every region of the world. However, there are a few generalities worth mentioning. For the most part Russian women really take care of their personal appearance. They walk extensively, they eat responsibly, and they dress impeccably. Also, true feminism is prevalent among Russia women; the main focus of Russian feminism is reveling in womanhood. It's quite refreshing.

Russian women are more than just pretty faces perched atop nubile bodies. They are real people with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with being human. Each is an individual. Russian women exist in every imaginable form: from physical stature to personality type, intellectual level to emotional disposition, and/or every possible combination of these traits. In fact, the variety is just as diverse as are men's preferences. Therefore, whatever traits or characteristics a man is looking for can be found in Russian women.

And now, why RW search Western man ?

American men specifically and western men in general are perceived to be the best husbands in the world: the gentlest, kindest, most family oriented, and the most secure men, bar none. I don't know if this is true, but that is the perception.

Don't ever forget this though, most Russian women would never consider leaving their country, their families and friends, and all they understand and are accustomed to if they could find compatible Russia men. The fact is that it's a numbers game, and there are simply not enough good men to go around. Sound familiar?

Wars, accidents, and hard living conditions have taken their toll on Russian men. Vodka is an integral part of Russian culture. Alcoholism is prevalent, especially among Russian men. Russia as a nation is still dominated by a deeply ingrained sense of chauvinism. The numbers just aren't there, and Russian women are faced with the same choices as western men. Putting the two together is a viable alternative.

Without a doubt, women's ideals are somewhat different than men's in regards to finding a compatible mate. In the eyes of most Russian women, financial security and the ability to support a family are highly desirable qualities in a man. Because of the financial hardships in Russia, the women understand that a western man may be her best opportunity to secure stability for herself and build a thriving family.

The doomsayers will tell you, "It's just money, stupid!" They are wrong. Of course it happens in some limited instances, but I know that most Russian women are about more than just money. They may be Russian, but they are still women. And, women will most always be attracted to respect, communication, kindness, and love as much as security. These are the qualities that Russian women are looking for, the same qualities that are prevalent in a significant portion of the western male population.

In other words, as Russian women often state it, they are looking for their other half. It isn't popular in Russia to believe that men and women are opposites, but rather that they are two complimentary halves of a whole. It seems logical enough that just as men and women fit together physically, they also fit together emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

[anono]

well said bruno!

[BC]

good post..  the only thing making me uncomfortable with it is the notion of a MOB.  i do not think they really exist. the women i met would not dream of leaving their family and country for a man they do not love or do not see the possibility of loving...

Anono,

Yes, true that MOB may be a bit harsh, but I think most here know what we mean.  In the general public this is THE term.  Remember that those posting here are only a part of the whole.. I like to think those here are a bit different than the crowd. Even though I didn't really follow the MOB route, most people associate me with that group.  That's life and it's ok.. it's their problem and I won't make it mine..  sorta like that 'm' word used in our past (inside joke folks)

Bruno,

Good post. The most objectvie term you used that I think we can now include is 'better odds'

Summary (so far):

Older financially stable men that meet by chance, or actively persue younger FSU women. They may have an aversion to local women and/or feel their odds of finding a mate are better in certain countries...

any objections so far?

[anono]

no objections, your honor..

:dude:

[TigerPaws]

anono,

 Great post you said a mouth full and then some.

 

[Bruce]

I met my wife on my 12th trip to the FSU and accompanied her back to New York with me on a k-1 visa on my 15th (13 trips to Russia and two to Ukraine).  The nature of my work afforded me some business trips to Russia as well as the ability to take two and sometimes three two week vacation trips each year.  For me time was my greatest enemy ie. I could not be in the FSU for too long a stretch of time.  I first went over in November, 1999.

I decided at age 39 that the women considering me here were just not what I was looking for and that I needed to widen my net to find the younger, prettier girl with the kind of values I was looking for.  I went to St. Petersburg on an AFA trip, made some huge mistakes and started processing  a "tour" K-1 visa along with almost every other guy I went over with -  which I quickly dissolved within four months of getting home once I learned some things about the initial girl I met and unfortunately having paid their recommended lawyer another $800 to put together something which I now know in hindsight was a joke of a fiance visa packet.  Never the less, despite spending at least two times what I should have, I had enough of a taste of Russia to know that I could find the best possible match for me over the next few years.  I enjoyed the culture, was intriqued by the culture and from that first trip on knew I found a new and exciting part of the world that I would really enjoy exploring in any event.

Now, I was and am a picky guy when it comes to the qualities I was looking for.  My girl had to be as good on the inside as the outside and most importantly she had to prove to me she could love me for me.  In addition she had to come from a good family ie. with both parents.  My girl was not going to be found in a bar, that is for sure - and I did not find her in a bar there.  In addition, she had to have no problem signing a prenuptual agreement and had to want children but not have any of her own.

I decided with my limited time and luckily the ability to save money to spend going over and living there that I would try different agencies.  All the agencies I used were helpful and helped me with my learning curve in the FSU - even the one that I felt in retrospect was most probably a scam agency.  Boards with many of the same posters that are on this board today helped steer me in the right direction.  Learning as much language was terrifically helpful, but it turned out my wife to be was an English teacher / translator. 

I first went to Tver in 2000 and found a girl on the surface I thought would work.  Having a young daughter did nothing to stop me.  However, over time the language barrier as well as ongoing communication proved she just was not marriage material.  In June 2001 I stopped her K-1 visa prior to her Moscow interview and was determined to move on.   The agency I worked with in Tver was first rate but at the time they were having a tremendous problem recruiting the type of girl I was looking for.  When I went to visit my girl in March 2001 I brought a buddy with me.  At that time the particular agency had bare cupboards as far as I was concerned ie. no girls that met my physical standards between 23 and 29 years of age without children.  Since then, having been sold and now finally resold to some people who really know how to recruit girls and manage a business the cupboards are now if anything overflowing with beautiful younger girls without children and  hopefully they have a thriving business with branches in two Russian small cities.

After that I tried a large tour company as well as smaller local agencies in Kiev, Ukraine as well as visited the agency with what I felt had the most beautiful pictures of girls at the time in Kharkov, Ukraine; where I met a girl who took me for some dollars before I cut her loose.  The majority of those Kharkov, Ukraine girls were ectually prettier than their pictures.  Its too bad the hearts of the ones I dealt with for the most part were blacker than coal. 

I tried a great agency in Sochi, which just did not have the right girl for me.  The agency could not get guys to go over and unfortunatley folded.  Its too bad because they had some really pretty desirable girls.  The problem was their cost structure was just too high and they could not get guys over to pay their way.  I ended up visiting Sochi another time on my own to meet one woman which was a disaster for me.........since she did not look anything like her picture and I just could not get over it, knew it would not work etc.  I flew in another girl I met in St. Petersburg on the tail end of a business trip after that - only to know things would never work long term with her.

I went to business trips in and around the Novosibirsk region only to never discover the girl of my dreams as well as on some other trips to re-visit Moscow proper and St. Petersburg.  I tried letter writing and flower delivery - actually met one great girl which alas was not mean't to be, but I ended up getting plenty of culture - just could not find the right girl for me.

Then, when Tver had a new agency I decided to give them a try.  The old agency I first had used had a noble hearted physician buy them, but things just did not improve for the agency.  He was in over his head and in retrospect I believe he had inherited an agency that had rotted from the inside out.  By the time he realized what he had gotten into I just think he decided to cut his losses and pulled out.  He eventually sold to the group heading the agency now, which I am sure has put them in the right direction.  The new agency I tried did their best for me and things worked out right.  The first girl I actually met ended up being my wife - after I met another 30 or so in that agency.  She knew I was meeting alot of girls through that particular agency but I told her and the others that I had to meet alot of women to know for sure who would be right for me etc.  They did have alot of pretty girls at the time and I was one of the first group of guys to use them.  Since then I believe they have had a hard time recruiting quality girls and have succombed to the dark force of greed, allied themselves with one of the big three axis of evil in the FSU (the three big tour companies) in my opinion, and have girls in Tver as well as cities in Ukraine on their website.  The only problem with the girls they have advertised in Ukraine is that they happen to be some of the hotter girls on the net back when I first surfed in 1999, and their pictures have not changed at all - so you know what that means!  Anyway, I just wrote a general letter of introduction about myself, said I would be in Tver from X to Y, sent it to 40 or so girls whose profile seemed interesting, an went over.  A  bunch wrote me back and I met them all first.  Then I met a bunch of others and narrowed it down to my wife to be. 

I left saying we would correspond and see how things go.  In my experience what worked for me was to meet first and write / telephone after.  I firmly feel that unless you meet in person you have virtually nothing of a relationship.  The girl knows you are real when you meet her and vice versa etc.  Needless to say after many letters, regular phone conversations and two more trips to see her as well as the last one on a tail end of a business trip prior to flying back with her I knew I had found my wife to be.  After two months here we had a wedding.  Right now we are in the midst of adjustment of status paperwork.   Everything has been super and I firmly believe it will continue to be. 

So I am a testament to the persistent bunch of you out there.  Some get lucky faster than others.  I like to think that as my learning curve improved I knew how to find exactly what I was looking for.  I used many different approaches.  I fell head first into some sand traps and was gently held by others.  My advice, be careful, be cautious, take your time, have fun, know who you are, know what you want, stick to your guns and things can and will work out for you.  Best of luck.

[BC]

Bruce,

Illuminating post..  Great story and hearty congrats!

Summary of who we are and our motivations :

Older financially stable men that meet by chance, or actively persue younger FSU women. They may have an aversion to local women and/or feel their odds of finding a mate are better in certain countries. Time constraints  favor use of one or multiple commercial preselection methods. Success is not always instant but persistence can end with positive results....(to be continued)

sounds about right so far..

[Bruno]

Older financially stable man !!!

Older :

It is true that Russian women will accept much older men, but marrying someone 30 years your junior is a high-risk proposition in my opinion. There is no doubt in my mind that Russian women are more mature than American women of the same age, but a 20 year old girl is still a 20 year old girl, and they lack the emotional experience that most mature men take for granted. There is an old Persian text stating that men should look for brides half their age plus 7 years. I think this formula works fairly well, but personally I believe that the highest level of success in marriage happens if the couple is within five or maybe ten years of each other's ages.

Financially stable :

Before all, financially stable don't mean be rich... but enough for pay the expense of a normal family life...

Money does not take the last place in the woman's life. This is one of the reasons that Russian women want to live abroad. A man's ability to financially secure his selected woman is important. As a rule, Russian women do not know financial security and luxury in their life. ...

Russian women are not spoiled by the carefree life, so even the middle level of western life is a luxury for them already. But money is not the main motive to leave their country. They look for responsibility, protection, security, and family orientation in their selected man because they feel a lack of such qualities in the Russian men.

This may be the widest culture gap between western men and their Russian ladies. I can almost guarantee that your lady will not understand western finance. It would be in your best interest to enlighten her in this area. She may not realize that credit card purchases must be paid back. She simply will not understand the tax benefits to having a mortgage, and she will probably think you are a liar if you tell her you own a home, when you are really renting it from the bank. Develop trust, keep the explanations simple, and good luck!

[TigerPaws]

Bruce,

 Great story, I made my share of mistakes as well and it cost me a fair penny in the begining but I never went with any of the big 3 tours but it was a useful learning process. I purchased address in mass and used the post for the inital 4 to 6 letters, with one lady I corresponded by post for one year before spending a couple of weeks with her in the Bahamas. She was a great gal and we had a really great time together but in the end she was not for me.

[Photo Guy]

I guess my basic question is:

What is your true and honest motivation for seeking a RW?

Being that we are all quite anonymous here it shouldn't be too hard to really bare it all..

1- I want to get married
2- I want a wife who is attractive
3- I want a wife who is feminine
4- I want a wife who is compatible with me
5- I want a wife who is healthy

That's off the top of my head.
Let's look at those 5. All of them can be found here
at my home city. Two fo them are more easily found
in the FSR, for a number of reasons.
#2 and #3. Women my age here in the states are
in much worse physical condition and they often have
kids from past marriages. So that's two big pluses:
No kids and more physically attractive often because of
their youth.. Combine that with an expressed desire for
marriage and it is a powerful
attraction. Local women don't even openly admit that
they want to get married -they may think it makes them look desperate. #3: Women my age are greatly affected by
feminism of the 1970's. Feminine qualities have a negative
connotation for them and generally are viewed as 'weakness'.
RW are less that way, although older RW are educated and
utilitarian. Also younger AW are much more feminine than
women in their 40's and 50's. I've dated both. AW are
'spoiled' and lack a knowledge of what's important - a happy
home life. So, I have quite a few motivations. Like many
men, I find young women to be attractive and exciting, just as
older women are who take care of themselves and don't let
themselves go into overweight and cynical. As for compatibilities,
I like the RW's view of the importance of love and devotion,
without being as unfocused as AW.

[Bruce]

Photo Guy - it sounds like you have your priorities straight.  Now you just have to get your ducks as much in a row as possible and do it.  I do not know if you have been over or not but Spring is right around the corner and you have alot of possibilities. 

[Albert]

I like women.  Therefore I seek out women wherever I am or where ever I go.  I have travelled several times to the FSU on business.  I always meet with several women on these trips and often, subsequently, take trips specifically to vacation with some of these women.  I also date AW here, Canadian women when I am in Canada, etc.  I am not 'looking for a wife' but am not adverse to marriage.  I follow number 9 of Dan's commandments: 9) Treat international dating the same as dating someone from your home country.

The best posting in this topic was by Bruno.  He has seen through the hype, correctly analyzed the situation and wrote about it.

I know that anono has a lot of experience in this regard, but I was very disappointed with his post.  It seems he is still hung up in the hype, even though he should know better.

"anono: i tell my local friends that on every level, for every reason. U/RW are better in every way than AW.  it isn't only that most are younger, they are more eductated, less selfish, they know what's important in a relationship. they know it's a two ways street. it os not "me, me me" or "take, take , take". "

anono has enough experience to know that Bruce is correct when he posted:

"Bruce: Its too bad the hearts of the ones I dealt with for the most part were blacker than coal. "

I cannot improve on Bruno's words, it is a numbers game . . . there are simply more available in FSU with the qualities many of us seek.

"Bruno: In general, it's a numbers game, plain and simple. If a man wants a relationship, then he must get in the game and meet women - the more women, the better his odds of finding a compatible lady. Numbers are key, but who has time to meet a plethora of women? So, quality plays an important role as well. When a man can meet a sizable quantity of quality ladies, he will soon find two things. He'll find who he is looking for, and he'll find someone looking for him. Searching for a partner in Russia will satisfy both rate and ratio - work smarter, not harder.

Anyone who has surfed Russian bride sites on the Internet has probably been exposed to a lot of bull twang. It's ludicrous to claim that all Russian women are this and that, or all western women are the other. There is a mix of good honorable women and bad disreputable women in every region of the world. However, there are a few generalities worth mentioning. For the most part Russian women really take care of their personal appearance. They walk extensively, they eat responsibly, and they dress impeccably."

[Photo Guy]

Photo Guy - it sounds like you have your priorities straight.  Now you just have to get your ducks as much in a row as possible and do it.  I do not know if you have been over or not but Spring is right around the corner and you have alot of possibilities.

Thanks. I think I know what's important, and I know what I want.
My biggest problem is that I find it tough to play the entire field.
I can only focus on one or two women at a time, otherwise
it's too unfocused and I'm just less interested. They write you
letters like you're the only man in their world. Writing to 20 women
who feel that way is tough. In other words,
there's this particular fine woman I've been writing to, and I'll see where it goes. I'll probably go see her in the Spring. To be pragmatic, I'll need a plan B if our chemistry isn't good. I'll need to scramble and set up meetings in Kiev as a reluctant Plan B. Is there any way to gauge chemistry beforehand? To tell you the truth,
if this doesn't work out with her, I'll probably go the other extreme
and do a tour with those 'socials'-massive gatherings.  -doug

a typical photo collage by Doug:

[jb]

I think I can agree with just about everythng Bruno wrote, after all, he has been there, swimming amidst the sharks.  I don't have a doubt that there are many good girls/women listed on agency websites, the problem seems to me, being able to sort out the fishes from the predators.

Any man going solely through an agency, (even one with a great reputation), or especially an online advertisement, to meet a potential g/f, should be aware that the girl's motovations may be less than stellar.  I personally feel that many of the girls advertising themselves for a foreign man are in the catagory of ex-hookers and sluts who could not hide their shady pasts from a local guy. Hence the need for a fresh start elsewhere.

In the years I've been hanging around these boards I've seen so many crash and burn stories it makes my head spin.  I've always said a man looking for a woman with those qualities hyped on the marriage sites, would do better if he gained the confidence of some married couple and got a personal introduction to a friend of the wife.  These women know their girlfriends much better than we could ever understand.  If my wife had a suitable friend, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an introduction to someone like Maxx, I think he's one of the good guys, and I'd hate to think of him being thrown back into the shark tank.

There is more than one way to skin a cat, if you don't feel comfortable with the options presented, look for another method to meet women who would be more in keeping with what you want.

Just my 2 cents.