friends with Russian wives..

[Nasturtium 500]

I was eluding to the fact that we are basically 2 days apart, not 7 years

RUB forums rules don't apply to me yet lol. I'm not fully assimilated

Ha! Got you beat. he's a year and 8 months older than I am. I at least have more of a gap, albeit in the "wrong" direction

[Nasturtium 500]

Hello there, anybody knows how to find friends? Can't find any websites. I am talking about those who came to the US on a K1/K3/whatever visa. What makes it hard at the moment is that we live a small town of Ventura, Ca. But it's so close to LA. How do I find real (as opposed to virtual) friends among those Russian women who came to the US? Anybody here from LA area? Pls let me know what you think. I miss the hearty communication in my language..

Ventura shouldn't be too hard (and I love that town... it's so close to home for me ). Have you tried looking into Orthodox Churches (perhaps where services are in Russian) in the area and see if they are hosting any events? that would be one way to for sure find some possible matches...

The Skype suggestion was really good.

The Russian market idea was really good too. if you go to one, maybe see if there are events or anything listed or if they know of any community things going on. I know many communities have events surrounding holidays in common, religious activities, cultural activities, and lingual activities.

Another place to check for events where you could possibly meet someone and it be socially appropriate to meet-and-greet is looking at some of the universities around there (like UCLA, etc) and check out their Russian clubs/Foreign language department professors... they often try to contact native speaking communities and get into an event or two, even as observers. You could at least figure out if things were going on by doing this.

Good luck

[BluesTraveler 0]

Hello! ))

Try these web-sites

http://russian-fiancee.com/rus/forum/viewforum.php?f=45

and

http://www.zaokeanom.com/forum/forum9.html

I hope I will be in LA soon. We are waiting for our K1 visa.

Thanks for posting the links very helpful.

[BluesTraveler 0]

Oh, no, wait.. I mean he's a terrible oppressor who makes me fluff pillows all day.

I am sure you are fluffing more than pillows.

[Martyshk 137]

Shhh. Just settle into your own stereotype like I did. I'm married to MENA, so naturally I am:

1. OLD.

2. Fat.

3. Obnoxious (I am American, afterall).

4. Delusional.

5. *Bald.

Clearly, and despite any photographic evidence to the contrary, you are:

1. OLD.

2. Fat.

3. Bald (*maybe I should add that to my own list so I can be a true RUB mirror?).

4. Delusional.

5. Chauvinistic (the counter to my American obnoxious catagory).

Your wife must be at minimum, 20+ years younger than you (like my husband is 20+ years younger than I am). You clearly bought her from a catalog. You are not really Russian yourself-- that's crazy-talk. You are a socially-awkward American. Also, your wife is submissive-- never forget that part. Mine rides camels.

Honestly though, up until the whole house/sticks part, this thread sounded MENA for a moment and I had to check my forum I was reading... Ammar refuses to associate with other Arabs and luckily has had very little in the way of awkward meetings with others. he now has made a friend here from Jordan, but there is such a strange dynamic amongst the lot. He has American friends though. He says with Arabs, you have to maintain that culture and it's more stressful. Also, most of them are seperatists, and so they tend to do all male things... he comes from a non-seperating village/family/tribe, so it's a bit of conflict in that he says he would rather spend his time with me. He's shy though.

Oh, no, wait.. I mean he's a terrible oppressor who makes me fluff pillows all day.

LOL. And that is why you will always be more than welcome on RUB boards, Julianna

ripping good laugh

She's assuming you'll at least be fat and bald in the future.

Excellent point!!!

[Martyshk 137]

I am sure you are fluffing more than pillows.

Great setup

[Brad and Vika 129]

Meh, I've used that "trap" to my advantage many times (plumbers, electricians, etc) But then again, I 90% of that ####### IS a trap.

But Russian community here (no matter the city) really has no correlation whatsoever to how we, russkies, are. In terms of statistics - that's a major F up.

I'm not sure anyone is gonna make sense of what I just wrote, but it's 7 am and I needs some sleeps, so incoherent stuff will be corrected later

Don't think I understand some of that The friends I mentioned earlier hired a "Russian guy" some one recommended to remodel their master bathroom. They paid him half up-front, and he began by ripping out the tub, toilet, etc. At the end of the disassembly phase he promptly experienced a "family emergency" (right before New Year - go figure) and had to return to Europe. With no company, bond, or backup, his customers had to make due with (I am sure) heartfelt apologies until last week when his hangover/emergency ended and he returned.

[Martyshk 137]

Don't think I understand some of that The friends I mentioned earlier hired a "Russian guy" some one recommended to remodel their master bathroom. They paid him half up-front, and he began by ripping out the tub, toilet, etc. At the end of the disassembly phase he promptly experienced a "family emergency" (right before New Year - go figure) and had to return to Europe. With no company, bond, or backup, his customers had to make due with (I am sure) heartfelt apologies until last week when his hangover/emergency ended and he returned.

My point was, I guess, that there's a higher douchebag/normal people ratio in here than what it was back in RUB.

If I go to a "russian" guy for a plumbing/electrical/anything job it's usually someone with their own reputable business. Never had a problem with those over 10 years. And they do charge a fraction of what "american" service place would charge.

[Brad and Vika 129]

My point was, I guess, that there's a higher douchebag/normal people ratio in here than what it was back in RUB.

If I go to a "russian" guy for a plumbing/electrical/anything job it's usually someone with their own reputable business. Never had a problem with those over 10 years. And they do charge a fraction of what "american" service place would charge.

Is that a fraction for everybody, or just homeboys/girls? I think contractors here are pretty much the same. The guys I am talking about are the ones who work at UPS at night (for example) and paint or roof houses during the day. My buddy's wife works at a Russian Store, and always seems to "know this guy" who will do a job for less. Lots of stories around here about problems coming from that.

[Martyshk 137]

Is that a fraction for everybody, or just homeboys/girls? I think contractors here are pretty much the same. The guys I am talking about are the ones who work at UPS at night (for example) and paint or roof houses during the day. My buddy's wife works at a Russian Store, and always seems to "know this guy" who will do a job for less. Lots of stories around here about problems coming from that.

Everybody, Brad.

Actually, at this point I'm so distant from Philly "russian" community that I don't even know anymore.

I never went with the "hey, I know that guy" type of thing. Because even though they'll charge me 10 times less, I want the job done first.

Then again, I like electrocuting myself too much to call an electrician anymore though (god I love America for your 110V and not dying to it - I know volts don't kill you, amps do)

[Brad and Vika 129]

I never went with the "hey, I know that guy" type of thing. Because even though they'll charge me 10 times less, I want the job done first.

Then again, I like electrocuting myself too much to call an electrician anymore though (god I love America for your 110V and not dying to it - I know volts don't kill you, amps do)

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

She's assuming you'll at least be fat and bald in the future.

Yes, and much older than her. RUB women do not age as quickly. In 20 years you will be 15 years older than her.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Everybody, Brad.

Actually, at this point I'm so distant from Philly "russian" community that I don't even know anymore.

I never went with the "hey, I know that guy" type of thing. Because even though they'll charge me 10 times less, I want the job done first.

Then again, I like electrocuting myself too much to call an electrician anymore though (god I love America for your 110V and not dying to it - I know volts don't kill you, amps do)

Although I admit to not caring for 220v DOORBELLS in Ukraine. more people are killed by 110v electricty than any other voltage in the world. It is the combination of volts and amps (VA or KVA, the "work" produced") that kills you, not either or. A car battery easily turns out 500+ amps, but grab each end of a battery cable and you feel nothing, because 12 volts is not enough "pressure" to push the amperage through the resistance of your body. String together a couple hundred car batteries in series connection, a UPS system for a computer center, for example, grab the terminals and you will be welded to the floor and turn into a puddle of slag. A flourescent light ballast, or a spark plug, generates 50,000 volts, but only milliamps and is just an unpleasant experience (falling off the ladder you are on can be more than a nuisance though)

best solution? Turn the power off first.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Don't think I understand some of that The friends I mentioned earlier hired a "Russian guy" some one recommended to remodel their master bathroom. They paid him half up-front, and he began by ripping out the tub, toilet, etc. At the end of the disassembly phase he promptly experienced a "family emergency" (right before New Year - go figure) and had to return to Europe. With no company, bond, or backup, his customers had to make due with (I am sure) heartfelt apologies until last week when his hangover/emergency ended and he returned.

Brad...

You should try building a container ship facility in Odessa with "Russian guys" (actually Ukrainian guys) at the holidays! Family emergencies all around!!!! It is very dangerous to be a "family member" of a Ukrainian guy at New Years!!!!!

to be fair, we have the same problem in Vermont during deer season....and snowmobile season...and fishing season...and hockey season...and if it snows and there is "fresh powder" on the mountains.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Gary and Alla

[Brad and Vika 129]

Brad...

You should try building a container ship facility in Odessa with "Russian guys" (actually Ukrainian guys) at the holidays! Family emergencies all around!!!! It is very dangerous to be a "family member" of a Ukrainian guy at New Years!!!!!

to be fair, we have the same problem in Vermont during deer season....and snowmobile season...and fishing season...and hockey season...and if it snows and there is "fresh powder" on the mountains.

One more reason to follow Март's advice and hire a bonded contractor, or some one with a reputable business. Engaging some one because of their ethnicity or discount services alone is just plain foolish. Just my opinion here, but I seldom have the problems I described above because I use contractors that have a dog in the hunt when it comes to providing decent service and finishing on time. I do probably pay extra for that though