Russian Women Forum: Useful Articles

Tennis Shoes Or High Heels?

2010-01-06T03:15:19-04:00

Every time I plan another trip to Russia I face a dilemma of sorts - I need to go through my closet to pick the best outfits. Perhaps that is standard operating procedure to nearly all of us, but what does that mean for me and you? Do people in the US and in Russia really dress differently? To answer, I must establish a simple premise: It's more difficult to discuss an "average American" than an "average Russian". American society is a melting pot comprised of people from all over the world with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. One common theme in the USA is tolerance to others and this tolerance starts with the way people look. Here it's more difficult to surprise society with unusual appearances as the definition of "usual" appearance has seen marked change in the past 40 years here (my husband says it was not always so). With individual liberty comes individual expression. This is not to say that there is no cohesive theme to dress. No. What I mean to say is that people choose to look the way they like and sometimes that choice is quite dramatically different. There are certainly some standards within particular social groups and regions, e.g. business attire for work, jeans accepted as casual dress; however, there is no universal fashion and, what is more important, there is no "enforcement" of such. Each person follows their personal criteria often giving equal consideration to comfort ahead of style. A woman in a business suit can walk downtown wearing tennis shoes...need I say more? This is just one of the important differences between Americans and Russians. For years we have been hiding our personalities in collective society, now we choose to emulate "everybody else". Having seen Tobolsk, Tyumen (both in Siberia), Moscow and Saint Petersburg within the past month, I have noticed one trend for women in all of these cities: this year it is skinny jeans tucked into high boots with heels. Anywhere you look, you will see young girls and women following this common trend. Having traveled and lived in all different parts of the US, I will only note dominating shorts, jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes and flip flops. After seeing this kind of clothing, I always find it weird to get back to busy Moscow subway with its high heels and expensive outfits often purchased with their very last dollar (ruble as it were). Russian women tend to spend much time, energy and money (some might say too much) on looking good exaggerating the importance of our appearance. Said another way, looking fashionable for Russians carries with it a steep price and commitment. Just remember, regardless of how good someone looks on the outside, it is what is on the inside that matters.

RE: Russian Women Superstitions

2008-09-26T15:28:55-04:00

[quote="siteadmin"][b]Russian Women Superstitions[/b] ..feel whoever can bite off the largest bite from a bread loaf at a wedding will be the head of the household. [/quote] I think he or she has bigger jaws. [quote="siteadmin"][b]Russian Women Superstitions[/b] ..believe that if you are with a woman that you are not fully acquainted with yet, don't be photographed with her alone. Get an additional person. Otherwise it will not work between you two, as she's not your wife yet. [/quote] of course only in case if you want to be fully acquainted with her :) [quote="siteadmin"][b]Russian Women Superstitions[/b] ..believe if your left hand itches, someone will give you the money; if your right hand that itches, you will have to give someone your money. ..think if your left eye itches, success will be forthcoming; if your right one itches, a misfortune will happen. [/quote] We have a joke about it. Vasya askes Masha: Masha, my right ear itches, what is it for? Masha: you will hear the news. Vasya: Masha, my right heel itches, what is it for? Masha: you will go to a new place Vasya: Mahsa, my left shoulder itches, what is it for? Mahsa: Vasya, may be you need to take a shower... [quote="siteadmin"][b]Russian Women Superstitions[/b] ..when there's company and you have a silent pause, it's because an angel flew near. [/quote] or a cop was born 8) :D [quote] ..think if you don't recognize your fellow-friend he will be rich [/quote] if you are not in debt to him for a large sum :wink: [quote].. Russian women believe if you dream something good, in reality it will be very bad in reality and vice versa. ..believe a leap-year is considered to be difficult and the same is applied to the number 13 [/quote] just a self hypnotic set :) I prefer to think and dream about something good and positive so bad things will not happen :wink: and the number 13 is my lucky number :) [quote]..think that a black cat crossing your way is a bad sign [/quote] I have three cats one of them is absolutely black. Olga

RE: Russian Women Superstitions

2008-09-25T14:53:20-04:00

I?am not into superstitions at all but as I have nothing else to do (yet) at this new board I would add something ... when I read trip-reports of some exited with successes foreigner boys one "superstition" pops up in my mind - don't boast too much about good things you could call for bad lack with your boasting (hope I didnt ruin trip-report section :innocent: )

Russian Holidays

2007-04-12T11:54:39-04:00

[b]Russian Holidays / Celebrations[/b] January 1 New Year Most important non-religious holiday for Russian women. Celebrations may feature the Yolka, or New Year's Tree, Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden, and gift-giving and a feast. Revelers crowd Red Square. January 7 Russian Christian Christmas (Russian Gift Holiday) Christmas based on the Julian calendar, used in Russia prior to the 1917 Soviet revolution when the Soviet government switched to the Gregorian calendar in general use. The Russian Orthodox Church marks religious holidays based on the old Julian calendar. Some other eastern orthodox dioceses in the world also celebrate Christmas on January 7. This recent post-Soviet addition to Russian holidays is a work holiday for Russian women. January 13 Old New Year Popular holiday celebrated by Russian women in remembrance of old calendar. January 25 Student's Day Katherina the Great created this day and Russian women students are known to celebrate heavily. February 14 Valentine's Day (Western Gift Holiday) Celebrated by all Russian women. February 23 Day of the Army Was Soldier's Day but was turned into Men's Day. It's customary for Russian women to give gifts to men and loved ones. March 8 Women's Day Giving flowers to Russian women - in personal and professional relations - is mandatory. April 1 Day of Laughs The 1st of April is the day of laughter, jokes, making fun, cheerfulness for Russian women. In 1700 one of the German commandants in Moscow declared that he would get into an ordinary bottle. On the appointed day a bottle appeared on the stage with the inscription: "The 1st of April" April 20 Modern Easter (Western Gift Holiday) A Christian feast commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus. April 27 Russian Easter (Russian Gift Holiday) Most important religious holiday for Russian women, Easter or "Paskha" in Russian. May 1 Day of Labor Is traditionally celebrated as Labor Day around the world, a day of workers' solidarity. Under the Soviets, this was an important political holiday. After the demise of the Soviet Union, the holiday was de-politicized and became a two-day Labor Day and Spring Holiday for Russian women. May 9 Day of Victory Celebrates victory over Germany in 1945 in World War II or, as it is commonly referred to in Russia, The Great Patriotic War. Equivalent to American Veterans' Day. June 1 Day of Children's Defense Children's rights are respected and defended on this day. June 12 Day of Independance Marks the 1991 declaration of Russian sovereignty. September 1 Day of Knowledge This is the day Russian women students start school. October 5 Teacher's Day Teachers all around the country are celebrated. November 7 Day of October Revolution The Soviet Union marked the anniversary of the 1917 "Great October Socialist Revolution" (October because of the discrepancy in calendars which changed post-1917). After the Soviet collapse, the post-Soviet Russian government - in an effort to forge political peace through compromise - kept the date an official state holiday, adhering to seven decades of tradition, but designated the holiday as a day of accord and reconciliation in an effort to bridge the political divide. The Communist Party still marks the date as the anniversary of the revolution, but for most of the country, it is simply provides a non-political holiday. December 12 Day of Constitution Marks adoption of Russia's post-Soviet constitution. December 25 Modern Christmas (Western Gift Holiday) A Christian feast commemorating the Birth of Jesus. Additional information on Russian holidays: Weekend Holidays: Holidays that occur on weekends are traditionally celebrated by Russian women on Friday or Monday. Extended Holidays: Separate holidays occurring close together tend to merge into extended holiday periods for Russian women. Anticipate closed offices, absent officials, work slowdowns during extended holidays. Summer Vacation: Russian women consider August the traditional vacation month, as in many parts of Europe. Fireworks: Fireworks displays are traditional on Russian holidays. Election Days: National, regional and local elections occur on Sundays; treated as holiday.

Russian Women Superstitions

2007-04-12T11:51:07-04:00

[b]Russian Women Superstitions[/b] ..Russian women feel visibly pregnant women shouldn't cut their hair. ..feel whoever can bite off the largest bite from a bread loaf at a wedding will be the head of the household. ..believe that if you are with a woman that you are not fully acquainted with yet, don't be photographed with her alone. Get an additional person. Otherwise it will not work between you two, as she's not your wife yet. ..believe if a knife falls down from the table, a male guest will come soon. If a spoon or a fork falls down, a female guest will come soon. ..believe if your left hand itches, someone will give you the money; if your right hand that itches, you will have to give someone your money. ..think if your left eye itches, success will be forthcoming; if your right one itches, a misfortune will happen. ..Russian women think that if you go to some place and you see a person coming towards you with an empty bucket, it's a bad sign, unless the bucket has something in it. ..when there's company and you have a silent pause, it's because an angel flew near. ..believe when plates or dishes break it brings good luck. ..feel that if one stands or sits between two people with the same name, a wish it will be realized ..think if you don't recognize your fellow-friend he will be rich .. Russian women believe if you dream something good, in reality it will be very bad in reality and vice versa. ..think that a black cat crossing your way is a bad sign ..believe a leap-year is considered to be difficult and the same is applied to the number 13

Russian Women Traditions

2007-04-12T11:49:29-04:00

[b]Russian Women Traditions[/b] ..Russian women won't kiss or shake hands over a threshold on Friday the 13th or any other day of the year. ..do not like to whistle indoors for fear of losing all their money. ..feel praising a Russians appearance or a babies health will prompt a knock on unpolished wood or spit three time over the left shoulder. ..don't give knives or handkerchiefs or socks as a gift. ..prefer to never celebrate a birthday early. ..believe it not good to show your newborn baby to a stranger until it is at least 40 days old. ..feel they should not start anything new on a Friday or get your hair cut when a family member is ill or in danger. ..think it's bad to shake hands in a doorway. ..feel a kiss on the forehead is reserved for funerals only. ..Russian women never give flowers in even numbers only odd numbers, as odd numbers are for the living even numbers are for the dead. ..for good luck, sit silently beside your suitcase for a minute with friends or family before a trip. ..believe that if you have to return for something, look in a mirror and smile or stick your tongue out before leaving again. ..believe it's customary to drink alcohol at social events and it's encouraged. ..believe if you must give a sharp object as a gift ask for a coin in return. ..feel it's uncustomary to wear your shoes in their house. ..believe that tipping with chocolates is appropriate ..think it's unlucky to be born or married in May. ..feel babies shouldn't have their fingernails or hair cut before one year of age.

Tablets of Stone

2007-04-12T11:47:50-04:00

[b]Tablets of Stone[/b] 1. Be very honest, open, optimistic and realistic about who and what you want in a relationship. 2. Be able to be a leader of a family. 3. Be a Man! 4. Be open on "sexual" issues. 5. Be sure you can financially afford to embark upon this process. 6. Be prepared to make a trip. 7. Don't fall in love with a photograph. 8. Verify you are writing to a real woman who is genuinely interested in you. 9. Make sure there are true feelings, chemistry and love between you. 10. If the lady will not give you full contact details, move on. 11. Never send money to someone you've never met. 12. Follow your instincts, particularly when you see Red Flags. Know when to hold and know when to fold. 13. Always have a back up plan.

Russian Women Forums Dictionary

2007-04-12T11:42:24-04:00

Russian Women Forums Dictionary Following are several acronyms used within the Forums to define specific terms. AM American Man AOS Adjustment Of Status AP Advance Parole - travel document for K1 Russian women visa recipients Agency A company which introduces Russian women to you in exchange for a fee. AW American Woman BW Belarussian Woman BCIS Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services BV Business Visa CIS Commonwealth of Independent States DOS Department of State EAD Employment Authorization Document - work permit FSU Former Soviet Union FY Fat Yuri FV Fiancee Visa FSUW FSUW - Former Soviet Union Woman (Russia or Ukraine) GCG Green Card Girl - Russian women who will marry any man for the opportunity to leave her country. KW Kazakstan Woman K1 Visa K1 Marriage Visa (Fiancee Visa) LV Latvian Woman MOB Mail Order Bride NOA Notice of Action NVC National visa center - name checks PP Pen Pal RW Russian Woman Romance Tour An event hosted by agencies, whereby you travel to Eastern Europe to meet the Russian women they represent Red Flag A Forum term indicating you should be careful of a Russian woman you're communicating with TR Trip Report TV Tourist Visa Tablets of Stone Listed in a thread in this section. These were contributed by members of the site and should be used as a general reference during this process UW Ukranian Woman WOVO Write One Woman / Visit One Woman WMVO Write Many Women / Visit One Woman WMVM Write Many Women / Visit Many Women WNVS Write No Women / Visit Some Women WM Western Man

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-23T02:16:50-04:00

Spent March April and May 2005 in Warrington England between Liverpool and Manchester on an IT contract. If you think the Red Sox vs Yankees rivalry is something it pales in comparison to Mancuenians and Liverpudlians (also derisving referred to as Scousers). Took the Magical Mystery Tour of Liverpool and found that these people love to party starting at Noon and go all night - Sundays too! Manchester is even more wild. Met a former Manchester Playboy Club bunny who owns a nice wine bar in Altrincham. Was introduced to words about ladies like: Mingers (not good) Shag (good) Goers (really really good) Was amazed at the complete lack of clothing worn by the women on cold rainy springtime nights out. Minnie skirts and Halter Tops, well endowed no bra with CMFM shoes - real Goers! Was in Warrington dying from listening to Michael Jackson in the Chicago Blues cafe and went out on the street , met and couple of dodgy birds and asked "is there a proper Rock and Roll bar around here". They grabbed me arm and arm and yelled we love yanks - next thing I know I am in a VIP lounge in a Huge Theater Night Club and the DJ is dedicating songs to Mike from Boston while I am arm in arm with a couple of the prettiest women I have ever seen (both married mind you). Did not meet one sexually repressed Brit or Scot in my entire stay, perhaps they all stay in London ;] ... Mike "cufflinks" NBF - Nuke Boats Forever!

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-22T18:07:10-04:00

bucbud said:

The Brits are sexually repressed?? I have my doubts. Of course its not right out in the open, but from my point of view, Kinky sex is a Brit way of life :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

bucbud - shhhhh :shh: We wouldn't want to let splendid in on our little secret :laugh:

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-22T17:33:32-04:00

bucbud said:

The Brits are sexually repressed?? I have my doubts. I think there are more 'kinky sex' issues going on in GB than the US by a long shot. (Clinton notwithstanding :laugh: ) We can go back a lot further than the Christine Keeler/Profumo (sp?) scandal of the 60's. Having spent more than 5 years in Scotland and England, I can bear witness that a Scottish/English female will let you know right up front if she wants a little "action". :grin: :grin: Of course its not right out in the open, but from my point of view, Kinky sex is a Brit way of life :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I think the Profumo scandal was a scandal because the British are repressed sexually. When it came out he was having an affair with Christine Keeler, it was a cause celebre. If he had been the defense minister in France, everyone would have gone "ho hum."

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-22T16:53:56-04:00

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-22T12:29:57-04:00

The tablets have changed over the years. It was only 2002 that they first formally appeared on the site, if I remember correctly. "Be a man." was put on there to remind pussywhipped Americans that they need to act like a man in the FSU when they are there if they want to seriously find a wife. I'd prefer it changed to: "Be a well adjusted man." Women in the FSU are not for the most part going to be impressed by body builders, lumberjacks and cave men grabbing them by the throat and dragging them to their apartments for a kindly rape. Of course you are a man, or you would not be going to the FSU looking for a wife. Know what you have to bring to the table and act accordingly. Understand the culture in the FSU and try your best to act properly - thats what a well adjusted man does. If a FSU woman were looking for a brute she sure can find plenty at home. The key is the brains, not the brawn.

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-21T21:18:50-04:00

MATTYBOY said:

Thankfully, the English also have a great sense of humour :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Thanks Bill. And splendid - a while ago you mentioned you're leaving the site and more recently you've said you couldn't care if the mods banned you. Stick around, because you've got a great sense of humour too. BTW, if I stick to British spelling, please don't take it as ignorance. OK, we're a little off topic - but life would be dull if we couldn't have a laugh now and then? :smile:

Churchill (himself half American) said during WW2 that the Americans and British were one people divided by a common language. When my British wife (an actress you'd know in a heartbeat) and I used to play Scrabble, both US and English spellings were acceptable. But we needed 2 dictionaries. She regularly whipped my sorry ass despite my alleged and self-claimed erudition. I speak both American and English and know more about Old Blighty than you'd like to know. I spent a lot of time there. And, despite no longer having my British wife, I still have my sense of humour.

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-21T20:14:37-04:00

If you think about it, all eleven Tablets of Stone can all be summarized into one, all-powerful Tablet of Stone: [b]Don't Be A Fool![/b] Duh, where's common sense? You don't need the Tablets of Stone.

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-21T18:35:38-04:00

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-21T18:19:21-04:00

Would sexual openess be inside, outside or inside and outside of marriage? I must learn what it means to be European - with the exception of the English of course :laugh:

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-21T16:53:05-04:00

ielocal said:

I agree in theory that a review of the tablets would be in order. They do seem rather simple and logical in most cases. [b]IMO, having a functioning brain serves the purpose much better than any tablets. [/b]But then, someone comes here posting that they sent hundreds maybe thousands on a plane ticket for her to come or can't understand why "she" disrespects "him" when he won't make a decision. Then I am reminded of the need to post and say the most logical things (to me at least). So, I guess they are/were posted for the lowest common denominator. But some additional explanations, revising would not be a bad thing.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. The problem is most of the guys who become enamored with a photograph have all the blood leave their brains and race to the netherlands. So, the purpose of the Tablets is to help them when they do not have functioning brains. It is interesting how the people who are left on this site are now grappling with the Tablets of Stone and would do away with most of them. Quite revealing. They can't even come to grips with no. IV when it is all laid out for them. Was this part of the agenda of the new owner of the site? If so, it's working brilliantly. First you dumb down the mods, then you kick out the guys who had experience, then you remove the rules of the game that helped guys here for half a dozen years during Spencer's ownership. Absolutely brilliant. Pretty soon this site will be little more than a shill for the agencies that will take over after March 4.

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-21T16:50:24-04:00

MATTYBOY said:

splendid said:

I believe no. 4 means "Don't be a prude." The reason is that Europeans, including Russians and Ukrainians, aren't and Americans generally are. (Something we inherited from our English brethren.)

The Europeans - thanks for the compliment. The English - prudish? You can speak for yourself. 'Stereo-typical' assumptions = ignorance.

Bizarre comment since English sexual repression is well known and was a key aspect of the Victorian Era. We Americans inherited your ancestors' history of sexual repression (although, thankfully, not the homosexual sadism of the boys' public school system which is only now being ended). What were they teaching [i]you[/i] in your public school (private school), Mattyboy? The other readers here don't have to take my word for it. The Brits still kid themselves about their [b]well known and admitted sexual repression.[/b] Here's an example from the BBC, reporting on the opening of a Dr Muller sex shop in Sutton, a suburb of London, in October 2002 (with the payoff at the end):

Quote:

The local council may tout Sutton as the "cleaner, greener borough", revered for ground-breaking library services and award-winning car parks. But to Beate Uhse, the town offers good transport links, and a busy High Street. It possesses a promising store site next to HMV. And it provides shoppers keen not just on vinyl, but latex, and, apparently, vulnerable to the Beate Uhse sales slogan: "Sex up your life". "Customers will be thronging at the doors when we open on Wednesday," Michael Vaughan, head of the firm's UK division, says. "I would be astonished if women in Sutton were not wearing lingerie or enjoying themselves romantically." Videos shunned Note the focus on women. For Beate Uhse expects some two thirds of its customers to be lone female shoppers, with couples making up most of the rest. . . . The store has been designed as a "light, comfortable, stylish" affair, with sex toys placed "discreetly" at the back. No dirty mac magnet this. It is aimed at British women liberated after decades where "adult activity as a fun pastime has been denied", Mr Vaughan says. "Increasing equality in employment, a growing number of single mothers, more women living alone, have all contributed to a noticeable shift in women's attitudes," his prepared text continues. "Women's magazines with sexy strap lines have proliferated as men's 'top shelf' magazines have declined by 20% per annum." Sex and the City and Ally McBeal are, more than TV programmes, lifestyle phenomena which have liberated female sexuality, and raised the sex industry beneath the counter. And soon viewers nationwide could enjoy sexed up lives, with Mr Vaughan talking of the parameters of a fashion chain with 200-300 shops. "It would not be a problem for us to roll out a new store every three weeks in the course of time." Protesters' hopes Not a problem, perhaps, for a firm, which since its foundation in 1947 by Beate Uhse, has grown into a business with sales last year of 222m euros (£140m; $218m). . . . [b]Maybe Britons have emerged from the dark ages of sexual repression. Maybe they are past the era of smirking embarrassment at being spotted emerging from sex stores by former teachers. Perhaps they should instead prepare to witness their former headmistress stepping in. [/b]

MattyBoy, you can read it all here: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2372027.stm

Tablets of Stone

2006-02-21T15:24:49-04:00

splendid said:

I believe no. 4 means "Don't be a prude." The reason is that Europeans, including Russians and Ukrainians, aren't and Americans generally are. (Something we inherited from our English brethren.)

The Europeans - thanks for the compliment. The English - prudish? You can speak for yourself. 'Stereo-typical' assumptions = ignorance.