Mosocw Medical Exam Controversy

[Buck and Natalia 0]

I do think the window may be closing on this phenomena.

I believe that has more to do with another of the common man's traits, laziness, than with the fact that the women in Russian society are changing.

Ukraine requires no visa. And since Ukrainian and Russian women are pretty much in the same boat (a.k.a. non-Asian, non-Latina) when shopping for a wife, men will revert to the easiest form in most cases and that ends up being Ukrainian women over Russians. Russia is making it harder, not easier, to acquire a foreign bride from their country while Ukraine is taking active steps to facilitate the process. I don't have any numbers (Google, anyone? I'm too lazy (see above) to jump on Wikipedia and find numbers here) but it seems to me that the Russian "mail-order bride business" is starting to slow down and the Ukrainian end is filling the void quite nicely.

I could be off, so hit me with the numbers..... anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Slim - I found no stats on the question that you raised but during the course of my search I found an interesting survey completed by 144 husbands (to date) of Russian and Ukrainian brides. Here is the link for anyone that is interested:

http://rbsurvey.opendns.be/russianbrides/data/pie2007.pdf

Buck

[mox 298]

Wow, interesting survey. I haven't completely digested it yet, but for the most part it seems to present a pretty (statistically) optimistic outlook. Also, most of the questions that could apply to an American couple seem to track pretty closely with what I would expect out of a normal USC-USC relationship.

[shikarnov 7]

Wow, interesting survey. I haven't completely digested it yet, but for the most part it seems to present a pretty (statistically) optimistic outlook. Also, most of the questions that could apply to an American couple seem to track pretty closely with what I would expect out of a normal USC-USC relationship.

I agree. That survey is going to take some time to think about. Is there a version available in spreadsheet format with the raw numbers? I'd love to be able to put this into a filtered analysis (maybe even a web app) system to quickly see what applies specifically to me (or others, in the case of a web app) based on criteria I input...

Z

[mox 298]

Take a look here: http://rbsurvey.opendns.be/russianbrides/data/general.pdf . All the raw numbers.

Edit: Oops, this appears to only be the demographic data. Duh.

Edited December 20, 2007 by mox

[visaveteran1 33]

I think sometimes American men want to overly romanticize the situation with the Russian ladies.

I think sometimes American men want to overly analyze Russian women's motives. The truth likely lies somewhere in between.

The Russian women want into America...not Europe or Australia or Asia...but the USA. Who can blame them? So, we, the American men are the beneficiaries of this situation.

A lot of FSU women wind up with men in Europe, the UK, and Canada. Jump on to any Russian dating sites and you'll find lots of profiles for women who want a man in Germany, mostly due to the fact that German is one of the primary foreign languages taught in Russia.

Frankly, I think the concept of "love" means something very different to Russian women versus American women. The Russian women are pragmatic and looking for stability, comfort and opportunity. I have n o problem with that.

I would argue that stability, comfort, and opportunity are why anybody gets married. For American women, this translates into more of a "partnership." For Russian women, it means that each partner takes on a more traditional role. (if you think this is going to get you out of housework, however, you've got another thing coming! )

As for the concept of "love" meaning something different...back in my Navy days, I attended a lecture given by a Soviet defector. She was trying to explain the Russian "character" to us, in order that we should know their mindset better. She pretty much summarized that while there are wide cultural differences, they are in the end just human beings. They find humor in the same things we do, and they carry the same set of emotions that we do. They are not somehow "wired" differently. With that in mind, love means something different to everyone. Finding someone who has a compatible view of "love" is key. So going into a marriage thinking that she has some mysterious alien ideas about love is also a sure-fire way of winding up extremely unhappy.

Each of our truths is based on our experiences and whatever views and baggage we carry along as well. I have had 5 Russian girlfriends since 2002...two from Russia, one from Denmark (yes. unique), one from Kyrgyzstan and one from the USA. I have been to Russia 5 times and Kyrgyzstan two times). So, I speak from a sample of 5 women. Not a lot but probably more than the average Joe.

Russian women to my mind carry beauty, intelligence, common sense, femininity and power...an incredible combination, and so hard to find in the USA. And, even if they may happily accept traditional male-female roles, they do expect you to act like a man...be decisive, protective, honor the family, be strong of heart and be masculine...and show them some depth of male character. I think Russian women raise the bar pretty high for men but the rewards are very great.

The "wiring" may be the same but the history and culture are not. I think some of the "magic" between American men and Russian women flows from our differences, not our sameness.

[Buck and Natalia 0]

Russian women to my mind carry beauty, intelligence, common sense, femininity and power...an incredible combination, and so hard to find in the USA. And, even if they may happily accept traditional male-female roles, they do expect you to act like a man...be decisive, protective, honor the family, be strong of heart and be masculine...and show them some depth of male character. I think Russian women raise the bar pretty high for men but the rewards are very great.

Very well said..... and spoken from experience it appears.

[slim 1,514]

Each of our truths is based on our experiences and whatever views and baggage we carry along as well. I have had 5 Russian girlfriends since 2002...two from Russia, one from Denmark (yes. unique), one from Kyrgyzstan and one from the USA. I have been to Russia 5 times and Kyrgyzstan two times). So, I speak from a sample of 5 women. Not a lot but probably more than the average Joe.

Russian women to my mind carry beauty, intelligence, common sense, femininity and power...an incredible combination, and so hard to find in the USA. And, even if they may happily accept traditional male-female roles, they do expect you to act like a man...be decisive, protective, honor the family, be strong of heart and be masculine...and show them some depth of male character. I think Russian women raise the bar pretty high for men but the rewards are very great.

The "wiring" may be the same but the history and culture are not. I think some of the "magic" between American men and Russian women flows from our differences, not our sameness.

I too have had more than one (subject to monitoring so we'll keep the numbers fuzzy) Russian girlfriend and also lived with a Russian girl roommate for several months in Korea. The whole experience was somewhat of an "inside" peek into what was, in essence, a case study of the interactions between Russian women and American men. Very interesting stuff, to say the least.

That survey was interesting and obviously engineered by men. Are you still married? How much sex do (did) you get?

There were several times I had to chuckle. There is an interesting dynamic between the RW/AM union but when it comes right down to it, the things that make men and women happy are pretty much the same across the board.

[Buck and Natalia 0]

That survey was interesting and obviously engineered by men. Are you still married? How much sex do (did) you get?

There were several times I had to chuckle. There is an interesting dynamic between the RW/AM union but when it comes right down to it, the things that make men and women happy are pretty much the same across the board.

Ahem.... yesssss..... if the numbers are not inflated it seems that RW/AM couples spend a lot of time focusing on what could be politely referred to as "non-verbal" communication. I will need to begin an exercise program or something if I am going to keep up.

[mox 298]

Ahem.... yesssss..... if the numbers are not inflated it seems that RW/AM couples spend a lot of time focusing on what could be politely referred to as "non-verbal" communication. I will need to begin an exercise program or something if I am going to keep up.

LOL yes. What I thought was hysterical, and also makes me question the accuracy of the study, is that 40% of respondents had either sex or "light sexual activity" within an hour of meeting. Seriously? Within an hour? Just wow.

[Chris Parker 10]

Okay, for folks who have done the Medical Exam at AO Medsina, were you given a copy of the report contained in the sealed envelope, or could you request a copy? At least of the blood test results?

[Buck and Natalia 0]

Ahem.... yesssss..... if the numbers are not inflated it seems that RW/AM couples spend a lot of time focusing on what could be politely referred to as "non-verbal" communication. I will need to begin an exercise program or something if I am going to keep up.

LOL yes. What I thought was hysterical, and also makes me question the accuracy of the study, is that 40% of respondents had either sex or "light sexual activity" within an hour of meeting. Seriously? Within an hour? Just wow.

hahaha..... its possible.... its possible..... if "meeting" is defined as first physical meeting. Think about it. Spending several months together on the net....... the sexual tension building and building..... then the plane arrives for the first visit. The pent up energy is probably released with tsunami force......... LOL

[Chris Parker 10]

LOL yes. What I thought was hysterical, and also makes me question the accuracy of the study, is that 40% of respondents had either sex or "light sexual activity" within an hour of meeting. Seriously? Within an hour? Just wow.

Wouldn't just kissing upon arrival qualify as "light sexual activity"? If so, nothing surprising about this at all. Actually, I'd think it would be higher.

Edited December 21, 2007 by Chris Parker

[mox 298]

hahaha..... its possible.... its possible..... if "meeting" is defined as first physical meeting. Think about it. Spending several months together on the net....... the sexual tension building and building..... then the plane arrives for the first visit. The pent up energy is probably released with tsunami force......... LOL

Heh, I guess. I corresponded with my lady for 8 months before I put feet on the ground in Russia. An hour after we met I'm not even sure we were in my hotel yet.

Wouldn't just kissing upon arrival qualify as "light sexual activity"? If so, nothing surprising about this at all. Actually, I'd think it would be higher.

There is a different question for kissing, so I'd say no.

[shikarnov 7]

[snip]

Embassy (Moscow) (+80 days transiting)

12/20/07 Medical exam

01/10/08 Interview

01/xx/08 Visa received!

01/xx/08 Entered U.S.

I notice your lady's medical exam was yesterday... So, how'd it go (if you don't mind my asking)?

[Chris Parker 10]

[snip]

Embassy (Moscow) (+80 days transiting)

12/20/07 Medical exam

01/10/08 Interview

01/xx/08 Visa received!

01/xx/08 Entered U.S.

I notice your lady's medical exam was yesterday... So, how'd it go (if you don't mind my asking)?

Still waiting until she gets back home on Saturday for more details. We do know she has very high blood pressure, which means we're going to have to impose some dietary changes immediately.

Next week she will go locally for a dental exam and cleaning, as her gums are so badly infected apparently that she can't brush her teeth anymore!