I've gotta go with peejay on this one. She can keep her dressing up, but I'm American, and also male, so naturally, shorts and flip flops for me. She does her best to shame me though! Funny you put it like that because that's exactly how she does too; "You don't even have shame because you looks like bumzh? You have holes in your shirt and not even iron your shorts... and what is on your feet? It's tapochki? Pi**ets."

I don't think anyone wants their wife/girlfriend to stop looking so nice, it's that we don't want her to have to look so nice all the time. Whether my wife gets all dolled up or not, she's still going to be the best looking woman at the grocery store. I know she's hot, that's one of the reasons I married her. But I don't need to hear it every time we go somewhere. "I must makes my looks nice because we go outside of home." Yeah, like the stockboy cares that you took the time to do your hair while you picked up that box of tampons.

And not to ressurect the past posts (because we're obviously past that now, there are even some pictures on this thread again!) but it seems what I need to do personally is just get out more. I have a very, very small circle of friends (like, we can all fit in a small car together) and go out only maybe once a quarter. I'm sure if we did more, we'd be more social, and that in turn could lead to her finding the friends and/or activities that she needs.

Oh... and here is a picture.

Oh... and here is a picture.

Nice !!!

I'll just add to that another picture of a 'hot' Russian woman!

Rescuing this thread from page 5 obscurity. Technically not Russian, but I think Ukraine counts close enough. Just who do we have to piss off to get Ukraine to invade?



However you feel about women in the military, note that these women are marching just like the men, but in high heels.

Original link here.

Whoa! those women crush our military women! No offense. How can the men get any work done? An interesting note. Their uniforms are all the same uniform. Uniformity. But their shoes are right out of some department store. Guess those aren't issued by the government. Interesting. Our U.S. military women have hideous regulation shoes. And their skirts are much longer. This can't be for real. Is this real?? I don't think anyone would fight these girls. The Ukraine should be ruling the world by now.

Notice the angle of photography the guy in the photo is taking.

OK..... any relationship advice I give probably borders on malpractice..... but here goes. Like Kirk and Jeffrey, I also fell off the face of the earth after my 19-year marriage. All our friends (with the exception of my to-the-death fraternity brothers) were "couple friends" and just did not know what to do with me as a "third-wheel" single. My former church friends, with the exception of one man that had been divorced, totally abandoned me now that I bore the scarlet "D" of divorce. If anything, I learned who my true friends were...... and were not.

With respect to my current relationship with Natalia, I knew going in that social isolation might be a problem once she arrived. Accordingly, I developed a long-range plan. Now Natalia is a special case because she is an upscale attorney in her country and had the money and freedom to visit me in the USA. During her USA visit, she met my family and did many social things with my former couple friends..... which felt more comfortable relating to me now that I was a couple again. Natalia also speaks english well which was invaluable in her being able to relate to my friends. After she returned to Russia, Natalia also had the means to afford monthly internet service. Webcam was a Godsend in more ways than the obvious. For the past year, Natalia has been speaking on webcam once a week with my children. Natalia also has been speaking on webcam maybe 30 minutes to an hour each day with my mother. My father passed away last year and Natalia and my mom have become very close. Natalia already feels like she has a strong connection with my family even before she comes here next month. Obviously, this required a strong financial and time commitment from Natalia. However, it was well worth it and the end result is that she is already 50% plugged-in before her foot ever touches USA soil.

When Natalia arrives next month, I plan on inviting our couple friends to our home for dinner at least 1 or 2 times each month. Natalia and I will also host parties at our home maybe once a quarter or every 6 months.

My couple friends were also intitially skeptical of Natalia and our relationship. However, most of the skepticism dissipated once they met her.

Now none of this pre-arrival plug-in advice helps Slim much. His wife is already here and already feels isolated whether by personal choice or outside circumstances. Nevertheless, here is my border-line malpractice relationship advice:

1. Get her english up to conversational level if it is not there already.
2. She does not like your friends? If they are mostly beer drinking buddies, then it is probably time to expand your frienship circle to include more couples.
3. She is a snob? I can't help you there if she is truly a snob and thinks your friends are low-class. If they are low-class then it is probably time to level-up. If they are not low-class, then there is probably something else going on. Communication problems due to poor english skills? One or more of your dude friends hitting on her? The USA wives treating her like a Russian scammer ######? You will need to figure this out.
4. Once you figure out what is really going on (See Step 3), then it's time to step up and host things at your home. I can relate if this is outside your comfort level. I was a litigation attorney for 15 years. Many people find me intimidating. My basic personality can not really be described as warm and fuzzy. I am not a social guy and relating to others, especially new people, is something of a chore for me. Anyway, that is my problem and I need to get past it.
5. She is bored and lonely when you are putting in the long work hours? DANGER DANGER WILL ROBINSON. KG Sodie had some good advice here. Do more things, even very simple things, together.
6. Never underestimate the power of simple gestures to a Russian woman..... or any woman for that matter. Most Russian women like being presented with flowers. Every couple of weeks or so, buy a small $7 - $10 boquet at your local supermarket. Tell her frequently that you love her and that she is a "smoking-hot" babe. From your past posts, it sounds like she truly blossomed as a woman during the interim when you first met her and when she came to you in the USA. She got lots and lots of male attention it sounds like. Give her lots of compliments. Lay it on thick. What might seem a "bit much" to an american woman probably just barely scratches the surface with her.

OK...... that's probably more than enough for now.

Good Luck

Buck

Divorced after 23 years, now married to a lovely Russian woman now almost 4 years, waiting for AOS and 10 year green card ( 11 months and 18 days) like Buck one of those attorneys that everyone loves to hate. Perhaps a thread on favorite attorney jokes for those who have used an immigration atty. for assistance? Anyhow for my two cents, adopt some Russian practices like taking your shoes off when you enter your house, apt. whatever. Find a Russian store in your neighborhood and shop together there. Not one close? Drive to the store, it will be a wonderful shared experience. Old friends common to my former wife dropped like flies, and I as others became my wife's sole focus. Admire the way she dresses up even though you ar just going to wal mart, and dress up some, not a coat and tie but some nice clothes to show how much you appreciate your wife's appearance, and to compliment her for doing the same. I would suggest never letting her lose sight of the dress code in Russia, and encourage her to always look her best when she goes out, because they always do. My wife has gone back to school and to brag on her a little, has mande the dean's list every semester. I tell her Bs are okay but in her mind, not for her. Find as many things in common that you can experience togther. Unfortunately, many of my outside interests don't coincide with what my wife likes, mostly, she like for me to be at home. Hug frequently, and always tell her how much you love her. Her support group of friends and family are a long way away and even with phone cards and internet are not readily accessible. Reading these posts reminds me of many of my shortcomings and if I can remember, will continue to be a more loving and demonstrative husband. It is a very tough transition for both parties. You will hear many times "In Russia we do things differently" and although I don't bite my tongue enough, it is best to not defend our practices, because frankly, they might not be better, or in many instances, worse than Russia. Never run Russia down. It is your wife's home country, and you should be proud of her for her roots, and her upbringing. You will be pleasantly surprised how competitive Russian women are in scholastics, and their desire to do their very best. No employer could ask to find a better more attentive employee that a professional Russian woman, or for that matter, a Russian woman employee. My wife has seen a Russian woman fully embrace the "American" lifestyle, who would not go back to Russia for a visit, and is somewhat disgusted with her. She has seen a good Russian fiancee sent back to Russia, and this dismays her to a degree. It was important for my wife to be married in a Russian Orthodox church and i was glad to accomdate her. After all this verbage, you will never be sorry you married a Russian woman after comparing your Russian wife to the selection we have here in the states. They are truly a pearl without price, and are caring, compassionate, and very attentive to their husband's needs. Best of luck to all.

Sounds like you hit the jackpot with your Russian wife. Congratulations. Your essay is well stated and good advice for us lucky guys who found our dream Russian woman. Your words have a touch of the poetic too. Nicely done. Your story sounds similar to mine. I was married for 22 years to an American woman. I've been looking for an FSU bride for about 4 years and I married my wife last year in Russia. We're waiting for that allusive CR-1 visa to be coughed up from Uncle Sam's belly. I did not know time could move this slowly!

My only issue with your piece is it's too all inclusive and, of course, not all Russian women are the same. There are regional differences and personality differences and so forth. There are the city girls and the village girls...often with different views of the world and how to be a wife.

And for all the "gold" we can attribute to the Russian woman, they, like us all, have a shadow side. i think some of them have money issues and are somewhat materialistic...but maybe for understandable reasons. Some have an over-active mothering instinct which I find annoying at times. Some Russian women have "father issues" from being abandoned or mistreated by their alcoholic or shiftless dads. And many Russian women have had lousy marriages to Russian men...often more than one. I've seen these issues show up as anger, and it's tricky to dance with that energy sometimes...especially to stay grounded and not return the anger. Some of us American men may ultimately have to deal with these deeper issues in some form or another down the road. And, personally, I've dated a few Russian women I'd just as soon forget and who were unpleasant to be around.

But the essence of what you outline in your essay is accurate when it comes to my Russian wife...thank goodness! I also hit the jackpot.

Are Russian Banks using pirated Windows Software, or are their IT Departments a little lax?

Are Russian Banks using pirated Windows Software, or are their IT Departments a little lax?

Of course, they do! Well, maybe not all banks but many businesses do! I hate Windows anyway... Macs rule!