Propaganda

Here is a list of information about the FSU that is spread around the Western world.
This misinformation serves only to fuel scammers or confuse western men into being scammed.
DON'T SEND MONEY!!

• Waiting in lines. There are lines at the supermarket, at the post office and at the cinema. But in what country is this NOT true? There are no more lines like there were in the 80's. Food and products are in abundance.

• Monthly average salary is $150. Yes, this is true. But people are making more money now. A bank teller gets $250/month. An accountant makes $450/month. If a girl lives at home, this is enough for her to live on. She has no bills. Of course, she wants more, but it's not as poor as some people make it out to be. Food and products are cheap. Girls only buy things for themselves. They usually live at home and guys always pay when they go out. (This is not the same for Moscow and St Petersburg where it is much more expensive to live.) Just remember, if you are sending her money, you are not the only guy doing it. She survived until now without you, why does she suddenly need your money?

• I estimate that 30% of apartments in Russia have NO telephone. So, if a girl says that she doesn't have a home phone, it might be true, she might be lying or she might not want to give it to every guy that wants it. But if any girl in Russia says that she does not have a mobile phone, I would refuse to believe it. EVERYONE has a mobile phone in Russia.

• "Russian women are so wonderful". Of course, they say that, the agencies are selling a product. Everyone is wonderful when you first meet. Cold hard truth? Yes, they cook and take care of the home and children. They are taught that it is their meaning in life. (That, and to look good.) But compared to western culture, Russian characters are a lot different. Not bad, it just takes some getting accustomed to. Just remember that there are so many sites for Russian scammers, and ZERO for other countries. I am NOT saying that Russian people are bad. There are beautiful people here. I am saying that the girls are not as wonderful as the agencies portray them to be. Women are women anywhere you go and finding a good one is not easy, regardless of where you look. Scammers are giving FSU women a bad name.

• "Russians are bad." No, they aren't. There are good and bad people everywhere. Many Russians have kind hearts. They are the most hospitable people I have ever encountered. A Russian friend is a good friend. They love to have fun and if you need help, they are usually there to do it. (Because one day, he will need your help.) Asking for help from a stranger will usually result in getting help. Don't let e few scammers convince you that all Russian are like this. What is funny about this and the previous paragraph; if you ask a Russian man  if this is true, they will usually nod there head and "Yeah, pretty much.", but if you ask a Russian woman, she fight you to the death that anything negative about Russians is wrong and that they are the most wonderful people on the Earth. (Even though they have never lived abroad.)

• "Russian women look for a loving husband who doesn't drink." Well, on a recent game show (based on Family Feud) the question asked of 100 women was..."What should a man do in order to make him an ideal husband?" The top 6 answers are on the board...
     1. Earn money.
     2. Cook.
     3. Love his wife. (#3?)
     4. Everything.
     5. Raise children.
     6. Give gifts.

• Drugs. There are drugs in every country. Trust me, it's not as bad here as it is in western big cities.

• HIV/AIDS. It's also a global problem. Awareness is lower and love is freer here. A lot of people have it, but not everyone. Just be careful, like you should be careful anywhere.

• I don't think any business accepts traveler's cheques and few places accept credit cards. US dollars, Euros, and roubles are easily exchanged in almost any bank. And there are banks everywhere, with ATM's. Western Union offices are also widespread. There are many scams around banks and money exchanging places, so never talk to strangers in these situations.

• Visas to Russia are easy to get. You simply need an invitation. You can check russianembassy.org for info. You must list all the cities you intend to visit on your visa and you must carry your visa at all times.

• Crime against foreigners is a problem for all foreigners in all countries. Don't announce that you're a foreigner and be aware of hooligans, pickpockets and your surroundings just like you would traveling anywhere. The mafia? They will bother you as much as they do in New York, Miami or Tokyo. (Don't worry about them.) Check the Crime page.

• Medical facilities are below western standards. Carry insurance and don't travel if you have health problems. Diphtheria, hepatitis and typhoid (for longer trips) could be a concern. Get an immunization before you go. Drink bottled water and no other water than bottled.

Anyone who warns you about Russia being dangerous, no place to stay, being cold or a terrible place is feeding you a scam platter. Ask me about any subjects I missed. I'll tell you the truth.

Culture Facts

• You are NOT the only guy that she is corresponding with. Everyone lies, but Russian girls are the masters of sweet talk. (Hence, so many scammers.) They tell you exactly what you want to hear. She will tell you to her dying breath that you are the only one. And with reason. If she told you about other guys, it would cause (unnecessary) problems. These women don't want to put all there eggs into one basket. And there's no problem with simply talking with guys through letters. So, my advice is...don't even ask about other guys. Just worry about your relationship with her. If you want a statistic, here...a friend of mine placed an ad a couple years ago. (She wasn't looking for a foreign husband, she was just curious what would happen. She didn't meet anyone and forgot the whole thing.) She received over 2,000 replies. 2,000! Think about that.

• Russians are offended easily. If you accuse a scammer, she will write you a nasty letter and disappear. (No problem, but no point. They aren't going to confess.) If you accuse someone who isn't scamming, she will ask you why you asked her this and why you think this about her. She will be very offended; so much that she might lose interest in you. Don't accuse anyone or ask suspecting questions. Ask me if something seems fishy.

• Divorce in Russia is rampant. It is easy and fast. Regardless of anything, the couple splits everything 50/50. So, the husband usually just gives the woman the flat and the car. (Because they are so kind and generous.) Many women consider this good compensation for 5 or 6 years of marriage. Men know this, but what can you do? What do you think she'll do for the life she'll have outside of Russia? Read more here about divorce.

• Statistics - they marriage rate for people who find each other through an internet agency is 4%. That means you have to date 25 women before you find "the one". The divorce rate is 70%. (After the girl receives citizenship.) I got this statistic from the US INS, so it isn't an overall statistic, and probably not the most accurate, but here are some official statistics.

• Russians who immigrate never give up their Russian citizen. They can return easily at any time they like. Leaving a foreign husband is easy, just hop on a plane. No need for paperwork or forms. You aren't married in Russia, why worry about a divorce? Advice? Marry in Russia first. It's also easier for getting her into your country.

• Here is married life in Russia. Girls get married young, stay married for 5-8 years, then get divorced, then find someone to settle down with for life. My advice? Girls younger than 22 are not serious and not ready for the kind of long-term relationship that you are looking for. Older than 22's are a much better idea and divorcees are the best option for a deep, stable, meaningful relationship.

• Gifts. Of course, like anywhere, they are a pleasure to receive and almost expected. Flowers, wine and cake are fine. Maybe a traditional gift (souvenir) from your country. Flowers should be NOT given in even numbers (2, 4, 6...). This is for funerals. They should be given in odd numbers (1, 3, 5...).

• Be careful of interpreters. They have been known to sabotage relations in order to steal the man for themselves. Pay a friend of your lady to translate for you. $5-$10 per hour is more than enough.

• Love without language does NOT exist. If she is serious, she will learn your language. Here are some costs. Private lessons with a foreign teacher range from $15 to $25 per hour. With a Russian teacher, it is about $4 per hour. In a group, it is about $2 per hour for about 100 hours. If she finds a teacher in the newspaper, they charge about $2 per hour. Let the girl choose her place of study. Don't listen to an agency.

• On a recent talk show, a Russian boyfriend wanted his girlfriend to marry a Canadian she had met on the internet, get the visa and then divorce him so he could come to Canada, join her and get a good job. She was against it because she loves her boyfriend. I’ll let you hypothesize about girls who DON’T love their boyfriends or don’t have boyfriends at all.

• A friend of a friend recently told her that she knows of 5 women who are scamming men. These 5 women work with her in the same department store. If there are 5 women scamming simply in one department store, how many do you think are doing it in the whole country?

 Read here for a True Life Story From USA Guy Married to Ukrainian Girl.

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