Behavior you (USC man) find odd

[Oksana81 0]

we make plans, but mostly in the short run. Like I don't understand ppl who plan a wedding in a year... I wouldn't be able to wait that much and what can you possibly plan during such a long time anyway?

Why.... the style of the doilies and the color of the groomsmens' shoelaces.!

that's too fancy and unnecessary.

[SMR 368]

we make plans, but mostly in the short run. Like I don't understand ppl who plan a wedding in a year... I wouldn't be able to wait that much and what can you possibly plan during such a long time anyway?

Why.... the style of the doilies and the color of the groomsmens' shoelaces.!

that's too fancy and unnecessary.

Well, we planned an April wedding and found out in January that 3 months is not enough for a lot of places to make a wedding dress. I guess it's not enough that they cost an arm and a leg. They also can't be made in any sort of timely manner.

We ended up finding a really nice place with good people. They sold us a dress for $600 with a reasonable lead time that didn't look a bit worse than the $3000 dresses that other places were offering to make in 6 months.

[LvivLovers 39]

My wife and her mother pulled off a miracle of sorts and did everything in about 5 weeks...it was VERY difficult, but everything turned out wonderfully! They didn't skimp on anything...it was a fullblown wedding and reception, hand-made dress, etc. I was so amazed when they pulled it off so well, especially when we were still dealing with government overhead and church overhead at the same time, getting all the necessary paperwork, permissions, and religous training. I was so glad we got married in Ukraine instead of in the USA...all the customs were fantastic and all her friends/family were able to attend since she had lived in Lviv her whole life.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Getting back to the original topic, my fiancee asked me the other day why we have to plan so many things, instead of being more spontaneous, like "Russian people."

She had the reality check one day we were on the street and she proposed going somewhere else, like the theater, but I told her that we had to plan in advance because tickets were already sold out.

Why is it so difficult for "them" to think of a necessary plan, given that in the USA you pay a steep price if you live everyday without the proper plan?

I have the opposite situation. I seldom plan anything, and prefer to just "go when we feel like it, and do whatever we want". Vika prefers to plan everything in advance, and really wants to know what the entire plan is in advance. I guess opposites do attract

This must be a Russian/Ukrainian difference! My wife plans everything and it is like planning a mission to the moon! I have exactly the opposite impression...maybe she needs a trip to Dr. Finetush to adjust her fratastat or something!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Here's a good one of cultural differences...

I was traveling to Ukraine a lot and always bringing gifts. So ofcourse I have to bring some Vermont Maple Syrup. Alla, like most RUB women is against "chemical" food. But she was able to understand it was pure syrup, no added nothing, just boiled sap. Ok so she tries it, she likes it and uses it for her coffee, and even adds it to her cereal...a sugur substitute about like honey. Her mom has none of this, will not touch it and is sure it is a capitalist chemical concoction. We try to explain but no, she KNOWS it is made from coffee and chemicals

Anyway, next trip, Alla says brinf two quarts, not one. OK, I guess you like the syrup? Maybe the boys are eating it all up, they eat like wolves anyway. So then she says bring a gallon on the next trip! Huh?

Then one morning she catches Mamishka drinking a GLASS of maple syrup! Turns out it IS natural and "good for the stomach!" LOL So it is always taking up a lot of weight in our suitcase when we visit.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

This week I had an argument with my fiancee because of Russian customs ...

... I told her: "soon you will be included in my insurance and we will make appointments for you to go to the dentist and the doctor as soon as possible"

Her response:

"I do not need to go to the doctor because I am not sick" And "I will not go to the dentist because my teeth are OK. They do not hurt. I will go if they hurt!"

Is this a Russian thing too?

Somehow I will make her go to both.

[Oksana81 0]

This week I had an argument with my fiancee because of Russian customs ...

... I told her: "soon you will be included in my insurance and we will make appointments for you to go to the dentist and the doctor as soon as possible"

Her response:

"I do not need to go to the doctor because I am not sick" And "I will not go to the dentist because my teeth are OK. They do not hurt. I will go if they hurt!"

Is this a Russian thing too?

Somehow I will make her go to both.

I agree with her. If teeth don't hurt, what's the point of going? So the dentist can take out a good filling and replace it with another one, in order to withdraw money from the insurance? As long as she brushes and flosses, she is good to go.

Plus ask her, maybe she doesn't want to go b/c she has been at the dentist in the past year.

As far as PCP, you can explain to her that she may need to go to the doctor, just to establish herself as a patient.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Oksana81

[clueless_in_usa 8]

I agree with her. If teeth don't hurt, what's the point of going? So the dentist can take out a good filling and replace it with another one, in order to withdraw money from the insurance? As long as she brushes and flosses, she is good to go.

Plus ask her, maybe she doesn't want to go b/c she has been at the dentist in the past year.

As far as PCP, you can explain to her that she may need to go to the doctor, just to establish herself as a patient.

I have been going to the dentist every six months during the last 10 years (or more) and no filling has been replaced during those visits.

Every year my dentist takes new X-rays to make sure that my teeth are healthy inside and out, and every six months I get a deep cleaning done to extend the life of my teeth and gums.

Russians going to the dentist only when teeth hurt may explain why so many of them have a few golden teeth after certain age (YMMV).

Don't get me wrong! I used to be that way too ... until I needed three root canals in just a couple of years.

[Oksana81 0]

I agree with her. If teeth don't hurt, what's the point of going? So the dentist can take out a good filling and replace it with another one, in order to withdraw money from the insurance? As long as she brushes and flosses, she is good to go.

Plus ask her, maybe she doesn't want to go b/c she has been at the dentist in the past year.

As far as PCP, you can explain to her that she may need to go to the doctor, just to establish herself as a patient.

I have been going to the dentist every six months during the last 10 years (or more) and no filling has been replaced during those visits.

Every year my dentist takes new X-rays to make sure that my teeth are healthy inside and out, and every six months I get a deep cleaning done to extend the life of my teeth and gums.

Russians going to the dentist only when teeth hurt may explain why so many of them have a few golden teeth after certain age (YMMV).

Don't get me wrong! I used to be that way too ... until I needed three root canals in just a couple of years.

ok, but your original post was that she has to go "as soon as possible". What's the rush? I would have resisted and declined too.

[baron555 934]

This week I had an argument with my fiancee because of Russian customs ...

... I told her: "soon you will be included in my insurance and we will make appointments for you to go to the dentist and the doctor as soon as possible"

Her response:

"I do not need to go to the doctor because I am not sick" And "I will not go to the dentist because my teeth are OK. They do not hurt. I will go if they hurt!"

Is this a Russian thing too?

Somehow I will make her go to both.

Here's the reason. About a week ago, Alla had to go to the "Den-teest". Then the next day she had to go to another "Den-teest".

When I spoke with her later that day, she said that she was not doing very well.

The second "Den-teest" was an elderly woman, who she was certain was blind. She just jammed the "bore machine" into her mouth and drilled away.

"It was like the Gestapo!"

When she came home, she rinsed her mouth out with Vodka, and considered whether she needed another vaccination!!

"Here in Russia, this is free service. The equipment is old and they are like the Gestapo! I do not like free service."

I did not say anything.

She is fine now.

[Oksana81 0]

This week I had an argument with my fiancee because of Russian customs ...

... I told her: "soon you will be included in my insurance and we will make appointments for you to go to the dentist and the doctor as soon as possible"

Her response:

"I do not need to go to the doctor because I am not sick" And "I will not go to the dentist because my teeth are OK. They do not hurt. I will go if they hurt!"

Is this a Russian thing too?

Somehow I will make her go to both.

Here's the reason. About a week ago, Alla had to go to the "Den-teest". Then the next day she had to go to another "Den-teest".

When I spoke with her later that day, she said that she was not doing very well.

The second "Den-teest" was an elderly woman, who she was certain was blind. She just jammed the "bore machine" into her mouth and drilled away.

"It was like the Gestapo!"

When she came home, she rinsed her mouth out with Vodka, and considered whether she needed another vaccination!!

"Here in Russia, this is free service. The equipment is old and they are like the Gestapo! I do not like free service."

I did not say anything.

She is fine now.

Honestly, I am very surprised. She lives in Lobnya which is like next door to Moscow and going to a free dentist??? I stopped going to free dentists since mid 90s when I lived in Russia.

[TomZ 0]

...this is all very informative)) As a newbie, I am starting to get a feel for this community...and looking forward to more educational posts :-)

Tom

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I agree with her. If teeth don't hurt, what's the point of going? So the dentist can take out a good filling and replace it with another one, in order to withdraw money from the insurance? As long as she brushes and flosses, she is good to go.

Plus ask her, maybe she doesn't want to go b/c she has been at the dentist in the past year.

As far as PCP, you can explain to her that she may need to go to the doctor, just to establish herself as a patient.

I have been going to the dentist every six months during the last 10 years (or more) and no filling has been replaced during those visits.

Every year my dentist takes new X-rays to make sure that my teeth are healthy inside and out, and every six months I get a deep cleaning done to extend the life of my teeth and gums.

Russians going to the dentist only when teeth hurt may explain why so many of them have a few golden teeth after certain age (YMMV).

Don't get me wrong! I used to be that way too ... until I needed three root canals in just a couple of years.

ok, but your original post was that she has to go "as soon as possible". What's the rush? I would have resisted and declined too.

I never had this problem. I had Alla and the boys into our family doctor and dentist right away, within a couple weeks, just for check ups. She had no problem with that.

[Oksana81 0]

I agree with her. If teeth don't hurt, what's the point of going? So the dentist can take out a good filling and replace it with another one, in order to withdraw money from the insurance? As long as she brushes and flosses, she is good to go.

Plus ask her, maybe she doesn't want to go b/c she has been at the dentist in the past year.

As far as PCP, you can explain to her that she may need to go to the doctor, just to establish herself as a patient.

I have been going to the dentist every six months during the last 10 years (or more) and no filling has been replaced during those visits.

Every year my dentist takes new X-rays to make sure that my teeth are healthy inside and out, and every six months I get a deep cleaning done to extend the life of my teeth and gums.

Russians going to the dentist only when teeth hurt may explain why so many of them have a few golden teeth after certain age (YMMV).

Don't get me wrong! I used to be that way too ... until I needed three root canals in just a couple of years.

ok, but your original post was that she has to go "as soon as possible". What's the rush? I would have resisted and declined too.

I never had this problem. I had Alla and the boys into our family doctor and dentist right away, within a couple weeks, just for check ups. She had no problem with that.

Gary, all people are different and their circumstances are different too Edited November 6, 2009 by Oksana81

[AKguy 1]

Anna is all about preventative dentistry... Especially since she knows how expensive it is in the US. She's convinced she needs braces ("brackets" as she calls them), so she's just gotten done having 2 wisdom teeth removed to prepare her mouth for them. Gonna be pretty sweet her having braces in our wedding photos.