Posted on June 04th, 2003 05:51 PM by admin

Submitted By Natasha (Russian Women Abroad)

Natasha's FAQ will answer your questions and present some of the delusions existing on the Internet. In attempt to provide you with true and unbiased information regarding Russia and its women, I researched the Internet trying to understand the roots of "Expectation trap", and its devastating effect, which often results in the failure of relationships and causes further problems for the parties involved.

Question 1: How is the current situation in Russia affecting Russian girls?

Common Answer: "Financial crisis in Russia is creating an increased desire for Russian Ladies to find stability in the arms of a loving man. These women are not "gold diggers". They simply want a decent man who will care for them and treat them with respect and honesty..."

Natasha's Comments: Thought the desire to meet a nice and honest person who take care and treat a woman with respect is natural for most of the women anywhere in the world, it seems groundless to generalize the motivation of all Russians. The new economy and "Perestroyka" (the process of changes in the former Soviet Union) has immensely affected life for all Russians and, particularly, the women. It is not uncommon to find educated ladies working full time jobs for wages, which are ten times less then anywhere in the United States or Europe. Still the reality of living in contemporary Russia should not be the ONLY reason for your Russian friend to make her choice. Please, keep in mind, that while there are lots of women looking for love and sincere relationships abroad, there is growing number of those who are trying to use their partners for material purposes.

Question 2: I don't make a lot of money, is that a problem?

Common Answer: "The average Russian person makes less then $200 per month. People usually live in apartments, most of them small and without modern conveniences we take for granted; year round hot water, kitchen appliances, cable television, an automobile, etc. If you make only $800 a month you will still be making four times more then average Russian worker."

Natasha's Comments: Although, most of Russians who work for budget organizations usually get from $50 to $150 a month, it is impossible to make any analogues with wage standards anywhere abroad. There are number of factors which make such comparison untrue. The most important is a different monetary system. In Russia people get paid in rubbles, prices on most of the products and services are also established in rubbles as well. (Current exchange rate is about 28 rubbles for 1 USD. For your reference, a loaf of bread cost in Russia anywhere from 1 to 3 rubbles). In big cities the exceptions are those people who are employed by foreign companies. Such employee's make anywhere from $200 to $2000 a month (after taxes!). It is obvious, that the cost of living is also much higher there. Another major factor is an absolutely different cost for housing (significantly less then anywhere abroad: most Russians got their apartments for free and, basically, pay a little fee and the cost of utilities.) Many other services, like medicine and education, are also free.

Question 3: Russian women are beautiful, but I am average looking. Will they want to meet me?

Common Answer: "Russian women, unlike other women around the world, many of whom have become materialistic and vain, look for inner qualities. They want commitment, loyalty, and love. Looks are not important to Russian women."

Natasha's Comments: It is true that many Russian women care a lot about the inner qualities of their partners. By nature, Russians are open and sincere people. Though your appearance may not be a major issue in your relationships with a woman from Russia, in order to have a healthy family life, this woman should be attracted to you physically as well. Having interviewed people involved in correspondence with Russian girls, I found out that some women were eager to express their love and desire to marry their foreign pen pals without even seeing their pictures! I am sure that for serious people looking for their soul mates abroad such attitude is unacceptable

Question 4: Do I have to go to Russia to meet these women?

Common Answer: "If you do not want to travel to Russia we will help you to obtain a K-1 Fiancee Visa..."

Natasha's Comments: Though your Russian friend may have a choice to visit you in your country on travel and some other visas, in many countries, including the U.S., a Visa K-1 (Fiancee Visa) may only be issued if you have previously met with this woman and have intention to marry her. (Check VISA INFO on my web site).

Question 5: Can I write to Russian girls younger than I am?

Common Answer: "Absolutely! Russian women often marry men 10, 20, even 30 years older than they are. Age, and looks, is not important to Russian women."

Natasha's Comments: When I first came across the affirmation quoted above, I was going to suggest to these Matchmaker agencies to go even further and make their credulous clients aware that "some Russian girls start writing from the age six!:)" On a serious side: the preferences of Russian women are not any different from European or American females. Some like older guys some prefer young. The question of marriage, though, deserves serious consideration. If a poor economy in the former Soviet Union is the main reason why a nineteen-year-old girl is ready to marry a foreigner in his late forties, you should be alert. You may be surprised to find out that your young fiancee will prefer twenty year old boy friends soon after you successfully coax her away from her own country. So, if you want a woman you can trust and build a family with, make sure that she loves you for who you are. -----------

Question 6: I have been hurt and used by women in the past. Can I trust Russian women, especially a beautiful one?

Common Answer: "Absolutely! These women are willing to move thousands of miles away from their friends, family, and homeland for a relationship! Would women from another parts of world make a sacrifice like this for a relationships?"

Natasha's Comments: For women living in prosperous countries with a steady economy and high living standards, such a sacrifice may definitely mean big feelings. On the contrary, for many women from the third world (and Russia with its devastated economy not so far from this category) such a decision may based on the understandable desire to escape from their poor country and significantly improve their life. The question of trust depends solely on the quality of relations you have built with your Russian friend.

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