Russian wisdom from Natasha

[eekee 182]

I've had the experience where my cola is pronounced disgusting, and yet when i go to drink it, it's all gone.

My wife isn't much of a juice girl, but I see that the Russians in her hometwon love their juice and disdain my koka. Her dad drinks kvas, that really didn't trip my trigger. Glad you have been introduced to "foo", it is fun and we might see it added to Webster's in a few years. I ran some of the Mat stuff, my wife says too low class and respectable folks don't use such language. I remind her of some of the English words she has used not the same. OK for her to do the bad but me oh no. Well I have already spilled the beans where my nads are, and happy for that, now I don't have to worry where to tuck em, torsion, or getting kicked where it will hurt. Now I can skip along like a little wood fairy and not be bothered when someone ask me if I am "Blue", nope just the eunuch of the house along with the male cats. Seems misery loves company. When I advised my wife of the deviations from this thread, well I guess you can probably figure out where she landed. Sorry there rustic Scotsman from yankeeland. She chastised me for living vicariously on VJ, i advised she needed to see that man's magazine that I just bought with the Russian hotties in it. When I told her it was the first time I bought one in the last 35 years, she got a kick out of my porna deprived state. And no we don't whistle in the house "throwing away money" don't drive down a road when a black cat crosses, she knocks on my head (something wooden) when recounting a good event, can't snap my fingers to get the cat's attention, too much like ordering a servant around. I tell her that us nutless ones have to have some way to communicate, and I don't meow (too high pitched now that I have joined the cats) or purr very well, and the cats seem to respond to the finger snap. Too bad, pitch your meows to their level and try to be more slothful like them, you are too active. To this I say, Honey punching buttons on the remote and popping a top ain't all that active. Loves to drive, didn't drive in Russia at all, yet had a driver's license. Tells lots of jokes on New Russians" and the road police. Every day is a new adventure. So many more in my aged and decrepit state I can't remember. Now what was this thread about? Oh yeah, love respect and admiration for our fellow man or woman. I hope I don't get in trouble with my wife for not writing "Fellow woman" first.

Edited April 18, 2008 by eekee

[NavarreMan 10]

Kevin,

Work is keeping me busy when I'm not at home completing the "honey-do" list. Not much time to post these days. Guess I must have volunteered to give my jewels away I have not had any manhood issues nor has Tanya expressed any concern in that area. I must be doing something right. Good thing I came to this thread so I could learn how to be a real manly man, American style.

Bought Tanya and Victor bicycles. Tanya taught herself how to ride while I was at work. I was more than a little impressed. She can now get around our sleepy little town on her own until I get the drivers permits. She thanked me last night for trying to be a good Father to Victor. She said I am a good man in spite of the fact that I have no balls.

Tanya has been able to make several wonderful dishes and I have had a ton of new "experiences" but can't remember one of them at this very moment. I should probably buy stock in Morton salt and Post-Its!

Your great thread of amusing stories has unfortunately brought out the best and worst of VJ. This is sad because as I read through the thread, the humor is countered by ignorance and hostility and that just takes a lot of the fun out of it. Reminds me of the "believe in what I believe in or you will go to hell" routine so prevalent here in the South.

I will try to keep notes on the funny things that happen on a daily basis. Many are good enough to share though I might just PM them to avoid a good thread being trashed by morons.

I will leave you with a story about Tanya v. Washer & Dryer:

I bought Tanya an LG washer/dryer set (the red pair) and have them stacked in the laundry room. I showed her how to operate them and thought she had it down pat. Once you set the mode (heavy, med. or light, hot or cold etc.) you press the power button then the start button and walk away. Both units are the same. She did a load of clothes then put them in the dryer. I was doing some Krewe business on the computer when I heard that flood of Russian slang I am always glad is not directed at me. She came and dragged me into the laundry room and said that the dryer was bad (she actually used the “foo” word). I reached up and hit the power button then the start button and miracles of miracles, it started going round and round. Deer in headlights does not quite describe the look on her face but it comes close. Then another round of Russian cussing as I went back to work. Re-reading this I see that it just doesn’t capture the humor of the moment but I am sure you have several similar stories.

Hang in there and remember to keep your kids around or else you become the foreigner in the house!!!

Cheers,

Bill

[Ban Hammer 13,112]

i this thread!

loved the story about the dryer, navarre. i've had some similar instances with nessa

Edited April 18, 2008 by charlesandnessa

[KGSodie 0]

"I'd especially think someone who's fiancee just arrived in the USA would have a lot better things to do they write a book on the evils of SeanconneryII. Not a good sign...but to each his own."

I just LOVE this guy! If you take exception to something I've said about you, as you do so often with eekee, you should quote me on it and we can discuss it. Instead, you make general slams (which you say you hate when others do) against me and IGNORE all that I've said. I guess you know when logic isn't on your side, huh? Wise choice. I'm a bit out of your league when it comes to being able to put forth logically constructed arguments.

Natasha is sitting here next to me, as she has been all day, and has given up on you as the crazy man who is a lost cause. She did the translations of your idiocy independently, without my help, so try not and accuse me of that again.

It's always your way or the wrong way, huh? People who like to tweak noses and stir the pot, as you imply you like to do - yeah, these guys are who I want to emulate. I have nothing 'better' to do than share my personal experiences in, hopefully, a humorous way? It's a bit more productive that 'tweaking noses', which is what I assume you do for fun.

As for writing voluminously - thanks! I just wanted to be complete in catching as many of your logic errors and hypocrisies as I could muster the energy for. You like to stir people's emotions in a negative way, and I like to call idiots idiots, and then prove it. You make that ridiculously easy.

As for the time I must spend writing all this - it's not all that much. I'm a good typist and I write a little whenever I have to wait for a background computer task to complete.

I'm sure you'll search for a way to flame me, since I have questioned your ability to reason logically. I really have lost all interest in your opinions. When they are about me, though, I will respond in kind. Otherwise, why don't you start playing World Of Warcraft, where you can grief an entirely NEW generation and class of people, and leave us intelligent, thoughtful, caring, considerate folk (or as you've called us, silly PC boys) alone.

Kevin, my only question for you is why are you are not out celebrating your successful fiancee visa and showing your lady around town? I am envious not of your logical mind, but your success with the visa and sitting beside your girl.

I am flattered that I am so important to you that you spend long posts dissecting me and building my psychological profile. Thank you for the in depth attention. Unfortunately, your conversation by overwhelm is just too much for me. We'd do better on the telephone...I don't keyboard well enough to keep up with you're encyclopedia pace.

I have really only engaged Eekee in a direct one-on-one, ongoing exchange with a few drive-by comments here and there by others. Eekee and i will either work it out or avoid each other.

I don't mean to be dismissive, but you don't seem like someone I can gain anything from talking with, nor do you seem particularly brotherly in your posture or demeanor...so I'll pass.

I hope you have an good wedding and live long and prosper...Mr. Spock.

I show my angel the town every weekend, but between two jobs (during the school year, anyway) there isn't a lot of time during the week. My (paying) job is flexible enough that Natasha can sit with me all day if she wants, and she does, as she is now as I write this. Believe it or not, I only wish the best for you too. We are all on a very difficult road, and a road less traveled (though becoming more foot-worn as the world shrinks), and can benefit from all the encouragement and positive energy we can get. I'm not a big believer in negativism, and when you made your negatively charged comments (as I interpreted them) I responded. I'm perfectly able, and willing, to be reasonable.

[KGSodie 0]

This is unbelievable ! I agree that everyone is entitled to there own opinion and what works for one may not work for the other. But I must say I think Kevin's story is priceless and I am looking forward to similiar situations with Olya and her Stas. As for the American way, Is there really an American way ? Are we not the melting pot? My hope is that we take the best aspects of both of our cultures and combine the best and go forward. Thats not to say that is right for all but it is for me ! Sometimes this Russian men versus American Men and Russian women versus American women is a little overblown. I love my Olya not because she is Russian but because of who she is. Actually, I wished she was from here and I could have skipped this process Keep the good stories coming Kevin !

Heya Chris, very well stated. If I could have skipped my earlier marriage as well as Natasha skipping hers, and we could have met 10 years ago, life would have been ideal a long time ago! And after your Olya is with you, be sure to share your stories too!

[KGSodie 0]

I'm reminded of a math riddle: If a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, then how long will it take a frog with a wooden leg to kick all of the seeds out of a dill pickle? Irrelevant, you say? Nonsensical, you say? Right at home in this thread now, I say!

Let's get back on track, everyone, and I vote we just ignore scii if he elects to post any more off-topic bilge water here. Anyone else have any amusing stories from life with their Russian significant other?

Natasha did explain to me 'foo', though I don't think I've heard either her or Vika use it around me to date. Vika has completed viewing every animated DVD I have and is now poking around looking for tapes. Come to think of it, though, I have a few more DVDs she probably hasn't stumbled over yet - the old Peanuts specials and the Christmas specials (Rudolf, Frosty, etc). I'll have to point them out to her.

Vika has taken a real shine to Pineapple-Orange juice (Schwan's variety), and seems to prefer it now over apple and grape-peach. I make a 2 quart pitcher (plus a 2-quart bottle of something store-bought) and we all go through them both in about 2 days (though I only get a glass or two usually). They love their juice, my two girls!

My wife isn't much of a juice girl, but I see that the Russians in her hometwon love their juice and disdain my koka. Her dad drinks kvas, that really didn't trip my trigger. Glad you have been introduced to "foo", it is fun and we might see it added to Webster's in a few years. I ran some of the Mat stuff, my wife says too low class and respectable folks don't use such language. I remind her of some of the English words she has used not the same. OK for her to do the bad but me oh no. Well I have already spilled the beans where my nads are, and happy for that, now I don't have to worry where to tuck em, torsion, or getting kicked where it will hurt. Now I can skip along like a little wood fairy and not be bothered when someone ask me if I am "Blue", nope just the eunuch of the house along with the male cats. Seems misery loves company. When I advised my wife of the deviations from this thread, well I guess you can probably figure out where she landed. Sorry there rustic Scotsman from yankeeland. She chastised me for living vicariously on VJ, i advised she needed to see that man's magazine that I just bought with the Russian hotties in it. When I told her it was the first time I bought one in the last 35 years, she got a kick out of my porna deprived state. And no we don't whistle in the house "throwing away money" don't drive down a road when a black cat crosses, she knocks on my head (something wooden) when recounting a good event, can't snap my fingers to get the cat's attention, too much like ordering a servant around. I tell her that us nutless ones have to have some way to communicate, and I don't meow (too high pitched now that I have joined the cats) or purr very well, and the cats seem to respond to the finger snap. Too bad, pitch your meows to their level and try to be more slothful like them, you are too active. To this I say, Honey punching buttons on the remote and popping a top ain't all that active. Loves to drive, didn't drive in Russia at all, yet had a driver's license. Tells lots of jokes on New Russians" and the road police. Every day is a new adventure. So many more in my aged and decrepit state I can't remember. Now what was this thread about? Oh yeah, love respect and admiration for our fellow man or woman. I hope I don't get in trouble with my wife for not writing "Fellow woman" first.

I like the way your train runs, or derails, or whatever it is. I'll have to look up some more of your posts! Good stuff.

[KGSodie 0]

Kevin,

Work is keeping me busy when I'm not at home completing the "honey-do" list. Not much time to post these days. Guess I must have volunteered to give my jewels away I have not had any manhood issues nor has Tanya expressed any concern in that area. I must be doing something right. Good thing I came to this thread so I could learn how to be a real manly man, American style.

Bought Tanya and Victor bicycles. Tanya taught herself how to ride while I was at work. I was more than a little impressed. She can now get around our sleepy little town on her own until I get the drivers permits. She thanked me last night for trying to be a good Father to Victor. She said I am a good man in spite of the fact that I have no balls.

Tanya has been able to make several wonderful dishes and I have had a ton of new "experiences" but can't remember one of them at this very moment. I should probably buy stock in Morton salt and Post-Its!

Your great thread of amusing stories has unfortunately brought out the best and worst of VJ. This is sad because as I read through the thread, the humor is countered by ignorance and hostility and that just takes a lot of the fun out of it. Reminds me of the "believe in what I believe in or you will go to hell" routine so prevalent here in the South.

I will try to keep notes on the funny things that happen on a daily basis. Many are good enough to share though I might just PM them to avoid a good thread being trashed by morons.

I will leave you with a story about Tanya v. Washer & Dryer:

I bought Tanya an LG washer/dryer set (the red pair) and have them stacked in the laundry room. I showed her how to operate them and thought she had it down pat. Once you set the mode (heavy, med. or light, hot or cold etc.) you press the power button then the start button and walk away. Both units are the same. She did a load of clothes then put them in the dryer. I was doing some Krewe business on the computer when I heard that flood of Russian slang I am always glad is not directed at me. She came and dragged me into the laundry room and said that the dryer was bad (she actually used the “foo” word). I reached up and hit the power button then the start button and miracles of miracles, it started going round and round. Deer in headlights does not quite describe the look on her face but it comes close. Then another round of Russian cussing as I went back to work. Re-reading this I see that it just doesn’t capture the humor of the moment but I am sure you have several similar stories.

Hang in there and remember to keep your kids around or else you become the foreigner in the house!!!

Cheers,

Bill

Hey Bill! I heard about the bicycles, but was informed that YOU don't have one! What's up with that! You guys are all going to ride together, yes? I pulled out my oldest daughter's old bike and did a minimal amount of maintenance on it for Vika last weekend, and she had a lot of fun tooling up and down the street. Natasha gave it a short whirl too, and soon I'll need to head to the store for another bike for her (plus some parts for Vika's).

LOVE the W&D story! Believe me, you don't need to capture it perfectly it words for me to feel it. We all go through stuff like that! I have showed Natasha how to operate our W&D, but she hasn't gotten up the courage to try it on her own yet. That, or maybe it's because the laundry room still has all my junk in it from the house remodel, and she definitely does NOT like to go in there!

Natasha and I are so happy for you and Tanya, and are looking forward to our first outing together (some day)! Good luck with Victor, I know it's a challenge. I think in some ways it it easier when they are older, and in many ways more difficult.

[Don E 0]

This is unbelievable ! I agree that everyone is entitled to there own opinion and what works for one may not work for the other. But I must say I think Kevin's story is priceless and I am looking forward to similiar situations with Olya and her Stas. As for the American way, Is there really an American way ? Are we not the melting pot? My hope is that we take the best aspects of both of our cultures and combine the best and go forward. Thats not to say that is right for all but it is for me ! Sometimes this Russian men versus American Men and Russian women versus American women is a little overblown. I love my Olya not because she is Russian but because of who she is. Actually, I wished she was from here and I could have skipped this process Keep the good stories coming Kevin !

I would go a step further and say that I believe the Russian women/men vs. American women/men is way overblown. I think that women are women no matter where in the world they were born and raised. That being said, each woman is a unique individual with her own personality and her own unique experiences and beliefs. I supppose it's okay to make some generalizations as long as you understand they are just that......generalizations. They may or may not apply or be true in your situation. I believe that the problems you may encounter with a Russian wife are the same problems you might have with an American wife or a woman from any other country in the world. I believe that the keys to a good and successful relationship/marriage are the same no matter what cultures the man and woman come from, and at the same time I believe that each relationship is unique and that what works in one doesn't necessarily work in another.

Just my opinion......

[eekee 182]

most sensible and true statement on this thread yet.

I would go a step further and say that I believe the Russian women/men vs. American women/men is way overblown. I think that women are women no matter where in the world they were born and raised. That being said, each woman is a unique individual with her own personality and her own unique experiences and beliefs. I supppose it's okay to make some generalizations as long as you understand they are just that......generalizations. They may or may not apply or be true in your situation. I believe that the problems you may encounter with a Russian wife are the same problems you might have with an American wife or a woman from any other country in the world. I believe that the keys to a good and successful relationship/marriage are the same no matter what cultures the man and woman come from, and at the same time I believe that each relationship is unique and that what works in one doesn't necessarily work in another.

Just my opinion......

[Okiebollweevil 0]

I'm reminded of a math riddle: If a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, then how long will it take a frog with a wooden leg to kick all of the seeds out of a dill pickle? Irrelevant, you say? Nonsensical, you say? Right at home in this thread now, I say!

Let's get back on track, everyone, and I vote we just ignore scii if he elects to post any more off-topic bilge water here. Anyone else have any amusing stories from life with their Russian significant other?

Natasha did explain to me 'foo', though I don't think I've heard either her or Vika use it around me to date. Vika has completed viewing every animated DVD I have and is now poking around looking for tapes. Come to think of it, though, I have a few more DVDs she probably hasn't stumbled over yet - the old Peanuts specials and the Christmas specials (Rudolf, Frosty, etc). I'll have to point them out to her.

Vika has taken a real shine to Pineapple-Orange juice (Schwan's variety), and seems to prefer it now over apple and grape-peach. I make a 2 quart pitcher (plus a 2-quart bottle of something store-bought) and we all go through them both in about 2 days (though I only get a glass or two usually). They love their juice, my two girls!

My wife isn't much of a juice girl, but I see that the Russians in her hometwon love their juice and disdain my koka. Her dad drinks kvas, that really didn't trip my trigger. Glad you have been introduced to "foo", it is fun and we might see it added to Webster's in a few years. I ran some of the Mat stuff, my wife says too low class and respectable folks don't use such language. I remind her of some of the English words she has used not the same. OK for her to do the bad but me oh no. Well I have already spilled the beans where my nads are, and happy for that, now I don't have to worry where to tuck em, torsion, or getting kicked where it will hurt. Now I can skip along like a little wood fairy and not be bothered when someone ask me if I am "Blue", nope just the eunuch of the house along with the male cats. Seems misery loves company. When I advised my wife of the deviations from this thread, well I guess you can probably figure out where she landed. Sorry there rustic Scotsman from yankeeland. She chastised me for living vicariously on VJ, i advised she needed to see that man's magazine that I just bought with the Russian hotties in it. When I told her it was the first time I bought one in the last 35 years, she got a kick out of my porna deprived state. And no we don't whistle in the house "throwing away money" don't drive down a road when a black cat crosses, she knocks on my head (something wooden) when recounting a good event, can't snap my fingers to get the cat's attention, too much like ordering a servant around. I tell her that us nutless ones have to have some way to communicate, and I don't meow (too high pitched now that I have joined the cats) or purr very well, and the cats seem to respond to the finger snap. Too bad, pitch your meows to their level and try to be more slothful like them, you are too active. To this I say, Honey punching buttons on the remote and popping a top ain't all that active. Loves to drive, didn't drive in Russia at all, yet had a driver's license. Tells lots of jokes on New Russians" and the road police. Every day is a new adventure. So many more in my aged and decrepit state I can't remember. Now what was this thread about? Oh yeah, love respect and admiration for our fellow man or woman. I hope I don't get in trouble with my wife for not writing "Fellow woman" first.

I like the way your train runs, or derails, or whatever it is. I'll have to look up some more of your posts! Good stuff.

That's what I get for being a railroad regulator. Very perceptive. We have been married for 4 years (in July) and my wife insisted we get married in a Russian orthodox church, which fortunately we have her in our "village" as my wife calls it. Transition is very difficult, and you really don't appreciate it until you experience the same. Had a buddy bring over a Russian fiancee and his view of entertainment for her and her daughter was showing them the mechanized way trash is picked up. Needless to say that relationship didn't work out and they did not get married, he ended up marrying a girl from South America. This weekend we are going to see a Russian pianist and his daughter perform and taking another couple with us, the fellows wife is from my wife's hometown, and we are getting all geared up to present our Pascha basket at church next week to be blessed by the priest. So if you adopt various cultural aspects of your wife's former country, it makes the transition much easier and she appreciates the efforts you make on her behalf. In the mean time, they integrate themselves into American culture and try to excel at everything they do, to show how Russians really are. perhaps this is just my wife, but I think many Russian women here do the same, although I could be wrong, just my two cents on what I have observed in the Russian community here.

[visaveteran1 33]

This is unbelievable ! I agree that everyone is entitled to there own opinion and what works for one may not work for the other. But I must say I think Kevin's story is priceless and I am looking forward to similiar situations with Olya and her Stas. As for the American way, Is there really an American way ? Are we not the melting pot? My hope is that we take the best aspects of both of our cultures and combine the best and go forward. Thats not to say that is right for all but it is for me ! Sometimes this Russian men versus American Men and Russian women versus American women is a little overblown. I love my Olya not because she is Russian but because of who she is. Actually, I wished she was from here and I could have skipped this process Keep the good stories coming Kevin !

I would go a step further and say that I believe the Russian women/men vs. American women/men is way overblown. I think that women are women no matter where in the world they were born and raised. That being said, each woman is a unique individual with her own personality and her own unique experiences and beliefs. I supppose it's okay to make some generalizations as long as you understand they are just that......generalizations. They may or may not apply or be true in your situation. I believe that the problems you may encounter with a Russian wife are the same problems you might have with an American wife or a woman from any other country in the world. I believe that the keys to a good and successful relationship/marriage are the same no matter what cultures the man and woman come from, and at the same time I believe that each relationship is unique and that what works in one doesn't necessarily work in another.

Just my opinion......

I hear a statement that sounds "comfortable" for us at this moment that embraces conciliation. We're all alike overall, but unique as individuals. And of course the unique individual part is true. But the part about American women and Russian women being more alike than different is incorrect IMO. If this were true...why are American men investing so much time, money and aggravation with applying for visas and waiting alone for months and even longer if there is no discernible difference? Are we nuts? If a woman is a woman in all pats of the world, why not just stay home and date and marry at home?

The issue we as men have to accept (unless we're some of the few who just randomly met a Russian women) is that we intentionally decided to look elsewhere for a wife for clear and profound reasons beyond randomness. We have to own that American women were not what we wanted for whatever the reasons.

Maybe we like the Russian accent. Maybe we like the way Russian women carry themselves. Maybe we like the Slavic look of Russian women. Maybe we discern a different view on life. Maybe we like that Russian women seem to like older men.

Your opinion needs some clarification and elaboration to help we to see there is little no difference between a Russian woman and an American woman.

[visaveteran1 33]

I'm reminded of a math riddle: If a chicken and a half can lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, then how long will it take a frog with a wooden leg to kick all of the seeds out of a dill pickle? Irrelevant, you say? Nonsensical, you say? Right at home in this thread now, I say!

Let's get back on track, everyone, and I vote we just ignore scii if he elects to post any more off-topic bilge water here. Anyone else have any amusing stories from life with their Russian significant other?

Natasha did explain to me 'foo', though I don't think I've heard either her or Vika use it around me to date. Vika has completed viewing every animated DVD I have and is now poking around looking for tapes. Come to think of it, though, I have a few more DVDs she probably hasn't stumbled over yet - the old Peanuts specials and the Christmas specials (Rudolf, Frosty, etc). I'll have to point them out to her.

Vika has taken a real shine to Pineapple-Orange juice (Schwan's variety), and seems to prefer it now over apple and grape-peach. I make a 2 quart pitcher (plus a 2-quart bottle of something store-bought) and we all go through them both in about 2 days (though I only get a glass or two usually). They love their juice, my two girls!

My wife isn't much of a juice girl, but I see that the Russians in her hometwon love their juice and disdain my koka. Her dad drinks kvas, that really didn't trip my trigger. Glad you have been introduced to "foo", it is fun and we might see it added to Webster's in a few years. I ran some of the Mat stuff, my wife says too low class and respectable folks don't use such language. I remind her of some of the English words she has used not the same. OK for her to do the bad but me oh no. Well I have already spilled the beans where my nads are, and happy for that, now I don't have to worry where to tuck em, torsion, or getting kicked where it will hurt. Now I can skip along like a little wood fairy and not be bothered when someone ask me if I am "Blue", nope just the eunuch of the house along with the male cats. Seems misery loves company. When I advised my wife of the deviations from this thread, well I guess you can probably figure out where she landed. Sorry there rustic Scotsman from yankeeland. She chastised me for living vicariously on VJ, i advised she needed to see that man's magazine that I just bought with the Russian hotties in it. When I told her it was the first time I bought one in the last 35 years, she got a kick out of my porna deprived state. And no we don't whistle in the house "throwing away money" don't drive down a road when a black cat crosses, she knocks on my head (something wooden) when recounting a good event, can't snap my fingers to get the cat's attention, too much like ordering a servant around. I tell her that us nutless ones have to have some way to communicate, and I don't meow (too high pitched now that I have joined the cats) or purr very well, and the cats seem to respond to the finger snap. Too bad, pitch your meows to their level and try to be more slothful like them, you are too active. To this I say, Honey punching buttons on the remote and popping a top ain't all that active. Loves to drive, didn't drive in Russia at all, yet had a driver's license. Tells lots of jokes on New Russians" and the road police. Every day is a new adventure. So many more in my aged and decrepit state I can't remember. Now what was this thread about? Oh yeah, love respect and admiration for our fellow man or woman. I hope I don't get in trouble with my wife for not writing "Fellow woman" first.

I like the way your train runs, or derails, or whatever it is. I'll have to look up some more of your posts! Good stuff.

That's what I get for being a railroad regulator. Very perceptive. We have been married for 4 years (in July) and my wife insisted we get married in a Russian orthodox church, which fortunately we have her in our "village" as my wife calls it. Transition is very difficult, and you really don't appreciate it until you experience the same. Had a buddy bring over a Russian fiancee and his view of entertainment for her and her daughter was showing them the mechanized way trash is picked up. Needless to say that relationship didn't work out and they did not get married, he ended up marrying a girl from South America. This weekend we are going to see a Russian pianist and his daughter perform and taking another couple with us, the fellows wife is from my wife's hometown, and we are getting all geared up to present our Pascha basket at church next week to be blessed by the priest. So if you adopt various cultural aspects of your wife's former country, it makes the transition much easier and she appreciates the efforts you make on her behalf. In the mean time, they integrate themselves into American culture and try to excel at everything they do, to show how Russians really are. perhaps this is just my wife, but I think many Russian women here do the same, although I could be wrong, just my two cents on what I have observed in the Russian community here.

I think the transition from Russian life to American life has a lot to do with several things.

1. Couples going with the K-1 fiancee visa (the majority I think) may struggle more at first because the commitment part really only starts in the USA. In Russia, it's more a vacation or living together as unmarried individuals. If the marriage/commitment starts in Russia and the couple has some time in Russia to adjust to being married, I think the ultimate switch over to the USA is less dramatic.

2. I think the location in the USA where the couple lives makes a big difference. If they live in a large active city like Boston, NYC, DC, LA, etc, the woman may find American life exciting and colorful and seductive. But if the couple lives in a smaller city or rural town, the woman may become bored or homesick for Russia.

3. The husband's availability. If a man works long hours and weekends or overtime, and must leave his wife alone for long periods, i think this will create problems for her like boredom, anxiety or homesickness.

[slim 1,514]

Also baffled by how quickly this thread sprouted six extra pages in my absence. But, I see it's mostly just bickering between an old(er) man and a young(er) girl on traditionally-held beliefs of gender roles in a family, Russian and/or American. That's not going to change because the two of them are from entirely different times. And, in all reality, they're probably both right because of the spouse they're seeking. If the old man seeks an old woman, their beliefs will be more aligned. Same goes for a young couple. Nationality matters not in this case. Our societies were similiar enough that it's not a question of where they're from, only their age.

I will say that here, in my house, we have a lot of problems not from our gender roles, but from the fact that I keep trying to retain my balls while she keeps trying to put them in one of her purses. (Why do women have so many purses? A man has one wallet and he keeps it till it literally falls apart. It's a pride matter how long practical things will last. "I've had this wallet for 15 years. Even though it has duct tape on it, it still works. I'll be damned if I'm gonna spend $9 on a new one. This one's just fine. As far as I'm concerned, it'll last another 15 years.") From what I've witnessed, it's a lot easier on a marriage if you just surrender your balls at the alter or shortly thereafter. I, being a young guy, still can't do that. Probably in a few years though I'll have to just give up and hand them over. Until then, they're mine and we're still going to have problems.

As for the technology of things here being difficult to operate for some, I've observed that it's not due to operator error, it's due to the operator fighting the fact that there's an established way to do things and if they're not done in that order then the technology won't work. "I want do how I want. I not will be do this s#!TTy way how people say we must do. I will be do how I want." And then, when it doesn't work, and after another round of refresher training, it still doesn't work, they will finally give in and do how those s#!tty people wrote in the instruction manual.

Oh! I almost forgot...... small victory on the home front in the past couple of weeks. Diet Pepsi (and Diet Cherry Big K, the store brand generic cola with a little cherry twist) have been consumed regularly here and have actually been requested! "Please buy for me this diet pepsi." It starts with diet and then works up to the hard stuff...... Who knows, maybe some day we'll be able to throw away the chainik. For those not able to get 'em to drink that FOOO COLA, start off with something twisted with cherry or vanilla or another flavor. Then, slowly introduce the harder stuff. Why do I feel like a crack dealer right now?

[visaveteran1 33]

OK...here's my funny story about hot versus cold drinks for Russians.

When my wife talks to me on the phone, I stopped having a coke or ice tea while we talk to avoid getting a lecture on how bad it is for me to drink something with ice in it. If she hears the jiggle of ice in my glass, I'm really in for it. At least a 5 minute scolding that cold drinks will harm me and why will I not listen to her sound Russian advice.

I guess I'll have to disconnect my automatic ice maker when she arrives in the USA.

[KGSodie 0]

OK...here's my funny story about hot versus cold drinks for Russians.

When my wife talks to me on the phone, I stopped having a coke or ice tea while we talk to avoid getting a lecture on how bad it is for me to drink something with ice in it. If she hears the jiggle of ice in my glass, I'm really in for it. At least a 5 minute scolding that cold drinks will harm me and why will I not listen to her sound Russian advice.

I guess I'll have to disconnect my automatic ice maker when she arrives in the USA.

When Natasha was in Russia and we would talk on webcam and voice chat, I would get the same lecture as you, SCII, if I was drinking a pop. But, oddly enough, now that she's here she has dropped this particular objection, though she of course doesn't follow this practice herself. I only occasionally get the fact mentioned that it's not good for me, and even then only if I've already got a sniffle.

Luckily, my ice-maker doesn't work. :-)