friends with Russian wives..

[eekee 182]

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

Are you serious, Gary? Perhaps Alla has taken care of herself well and looks great, but there's a lot of women who look far older than their American counterparts. Think about it: harsher life in general (although not as harsh as it once was), worse healthcare, more smoking and drinking, etc. Perhaps you just didn't see these women, because you were only paying attention to ladies like Alla. Or you just thought they were older than they were. Or maybe Ukraine is really different.

I've heard people say that Russian women (and other Europeans) look better in youth, but American women end up aging less rapidly.

[Nasturtium 500]

Are you serious, Gary? Perhaps Alla has taken care of herself well and looks great, but there's a lot of women who look far older than their American counterparts. Think about it: harsher life in general (although not as harsh as it once was), worse healthcare, more smoking and drinking, etc. Perhaps you just didn't see these women, because you were only paying attention to ladies like Alla. Or you just thought they were older than they were. Or maybe Ukraine is really different.

I've heard people say that Russian women (and other Europeans) look better in youth, but American women end up aging less rapidly.

Once removed out of RUB, does this trend seem to stop? I was shocked to see how badly Jordanians aged (both sexes). It appears to be bad habits (they smoke like crazy so even if you don't smoke, probably people in your household are and you get the effects anyway) and sun damage in my and my husband's general assessments of it all. Possibly diet, but they actually have traditionally a very good diet. It could also be due to harder lifestyle and cosmetics (they use lots of lead and other scary things). I remember when I found out my SIL (married to Ammar's brother) and I are actually about the same age... she is a year younger than I am just about. I could not believe it. She looks 10 years older than me... and so does Ammar for that matter. I did luck out, though, and marry a non-smoker who comes from an entire non-smoking family.

Edited January 30, 2010 by julianna

[eekee 182]

I suppose it depends on where and how someone lives in the US. In Brighton Beach, probably not much different. In Vermont, it'd probably make a huge difference.

[Nasturtium 500]

I suppose it depends on where and how someone lives in the US. In Brighton Beach, probably not much different. In Vermont, it'd probably make a huge difference.

That's true, and I am sure she's wearing a good sunscreen at this point as well... snow-glare can be worse than summer sun.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Are you serious, Gary? Perhaps Alla has taken care of herself well and looks great, but there's a lot of women who look far older than their American counterparts. Think about it: harsher life in general (although not as harsh as it once was), worse healthcare, more smoking and drinking, etc. Perhaps you just didn't see these women, because you were only paying attention to ladies like Alla. Or you just thought they were older than they were. Or maybe Ukraine is really different.

I've heard people say that Russian women (and other Europeans) look better in youth, but American women end up aging less rapidly.

I said this with tongue firmly in cheek, eekee. Perhaps this forum needs a humor injection or something? Obviously it was a joke as people age at the same rate all over the world to my knowledge. At that, though, you gotta give Alla credit for looking that good and being a Babushka! (that is NOT a joke)

Alla is from Donetsk, eekee...downwind of Chernobyl. She already glows in the dark and covers her third eye with make-up. I expect her to disintegrate at any moment like the people at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. (and THAT is a joke also)

I suppose it depends on where and how someone lives in the US. In Brighton Beach, probably not much different. In Vermont, it'd probably make a huge difference.

Probably true. People in Vermont have well developed intellects and a sense of humor.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Once removed out of RUB, does this trend seem to stop? I was shocked to see how badly Jordanians aged (both sexes). It appears to be bad habits (they smoke like crazy so even if you don't smoke, probably people in your household are and you get the effects anyway) and sun damage in my and my husband's general assessments of it all. Possibly diet, but they actually have traditionally a very good diet. It could also be due to harder lifestyle and cosmetics (they use lots of lead and other scary things). I remember when I found out my SIL (married to Ammar's brother) and I are actually about the same age... she is a year younger than I am just about. I could not believe it. She looks 10 years older than me... and so does Ammar for that matter. I did luck out, though, and marry a non-smoker who comes from an entire non-smoking family.

I cannot believe that some people turn this into some sort of serious conversation. Maybe we should have a forum that allows humor.

For what it is worth, Alla never smoked, drinks very little, eats a healthy diet, has a figure like a 16 year old despite being a grandmother, and rarely sits for one than a few minutes at a time. In addition to being a student full time, part time translator, interpreter and model she rides horses twice a week and goes skiing every Saturday in the winter, swimming every day in the summer and ice skating maybe one day per week, her favorite place being Parc LaFountaine in Montreal.

Maybe it is because she is not a couch potatoe, doesn't own a TV and cares about her health. Just maybe. Can we lighten up a little now? Sheeesh

[SuperDuper! 230]

We like to hang out in Brighton Beach, sometimes known as "Little Odessa." Many comrades there.

[eekee 182]

Anyone who doesn't smoke, drinks little, eats healthily, and leads an active lifestyle will age well, regardless of country of origin.

Gary, considering the content of all the other posts you've made, it would be hard for someone to take what you said as a joke. Not that I found it offensive or whatever, because even as an American woman, I would say that yes, on the whole women in RUB are better looking, and take more care with their appearance. Perhaps I don't mind it because I'm of RUB extraction anyway, but I can tell you that I have hard time making female friends in America because I'm thin and take care of myself. But I do think that the one place American women "win," so to speak, is looks in middle age and up--perhaps because there is a mentality that once your kids leave the nest, your life begins again, whereas women in many other cultures focus on grandchildren and etc.

back to the original topic, I have found that most Russians in the US are just... not as nice as those who didn't immigrate. Probably different with people like your wives, though, because I think it's different when people immigrate for economic or social circumstances, rather than love.

[Nasturtium 500]

I cannot believe that some people turn this into some sort of serious conversation. Maybe we should have a forum that allows humor.

For what it is worth, Alla never smoked, drinks very little, eats a healthy diet, has a figure like a 16 year old despite being a grandmother, and rarely sits for one than a few minutes at a time. In addition to being a student full time, part time translator, interpreter and model she rides horses twice a week and goes skiing every Saturday in the winter, swimming every day in the summer and ice skating maybe one day per week, her favorite place being Parc LaFountaine in Montreal.

Maybe it is because she is not a couch potatoe, doesn't own a TV and cares about her health. Just maybe. Can we lighten up a little now? Sheeesh

ZOMG, I cannot believe people have real interests.

The only posts I have ever made indirectly or directly regarding your wife was 1) when I mentioned I was size 2 with size 6 feet in OT and it was not a serious thread even if the information was true (but it can't be, see my list I gave out earlier regarding that to which I have now added bald to my list of attributes) and 2) when eekee said something about VT and I brought that comment back to your living space. Totally crazy here, but I am not actually concerned with your wife, her habits, her appearance, her abilities, or her daily activities. If she were on here, I may find a lot more interest in her-- who knows. I would judge that from her conversation and personality, not a list. This conversation wasn't about you or her on my side, at least. I happen to find disproportionate aging interesting, especially when it can be totally seperated from genetic factors or isolated to genetic factors. That, weirdly enough, goes along with my aforementioned academics. If someone told me they were into cars, I would naturally assume that something mentioned about cars may or may not spark a serious conversation or interest from them as strange as that may seem.

Now regarding the bolded, are you really saying that I make too many serious posts in the RUB forum? Really?

[mox 298]

Gary, considering the content of all the other posts you've made, it would be hard for someone to take what you said as a joke.

Yeah, this. It's hard to separate your humorous misogyny from your actual misogyny.

[slim 1,525]

does that make ME the Russian plumber

Do you have the requisite amount of crack showing?

My wife met one RW at the ESL classes and she introduced my wife to a half dozen more. My wife also made a good friend with a Mexican woman from the ESL classes.

My wife made a few good contacts from ESL classes too. Not just Russians, but people from all over the world.

Now she works in a Brazilian restaurant and surprisingly enough, she's met more Russians through that place than all the other places combined. If you head to places that are "international" you will eventually find Russians.

Alla, fo example, is a "3". This is determined by the number of Clydesdale horses it would take to pull her off my lap.

I like that system. Although, since it's using relatively low numbers people may mistake it for the "how many beers would it take" system.

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

But being all submissive, fluffing his pillows keeps you happy.

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

We live near a university so sometimes when we're grabbing a burger or something (yes, even my wife gets a hankering for a big juicy burger sometimes - I wish it happend more frequently but sometimes is good for now) we'll be walking down the sidewalk and the REDAR will go off. "BRRRRRRP! BRRRRRRP! BRRRRRP! Russian woman, inbound. Russian woman, inbound. BRRRRP! BRRRRRP! BRRRRRP!"

Nothing like having a smoking-hot 21-year-old coed come up and start kissing your wife. It's the stuff dreams are made of! I have to just stand there and play the ignorant "I have no idea what you nice young ladies are talking about" guy. That is, until the bogey looks in my direction and says "Tvoi muzh?" To which I can reply "Da. Ooochin priyatna. Menya zavut..." and as her eyes light up and she starts to say, "Ti govarit paruski oochin hara..."

- "Let's go!" Comes the standardized reply from my wife. The "English ONLY" switch is turned back on and after a quick "we really have to be going now. I'll call you." We're out of there quick-fast and in a hurry. Safely back in the Jeep, I nonchalantly ask, "who was that?" and the usual, "Oh, just some girl I met while walking. I don't really like her because she's young and stupid. So how bout these cheeseburgers?"

I guess I'm still a "3" in their system. So much for being a fat old bald guy!

[clueless_in_usa 8]

Are you serious, Gary? Perhaps Alla has taken care of herself well and looks great, but there's a lot of women who look far older than their American counterparts. Think about it: harsher life in general (although not as harsh as it once was), worse healthcare, more smoking and drinking, etc. Perhaps you just didn't see these women, because you were only paying attention to ladies like Alla. Or you just thought they were older than they were. Or maybe Ukraine is really different.

I've heard people say that Russian women (and other Europeans) look better in youth, but American women end up aging less rapidly.

I have seen Eastern Europeans living in the USA age more rapidly too. So, it is not only the harsher life.

White skin exposed to the sun constantly ages more rapidly.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

I cannot believe that some people turn this into some sort of serious conversation. Maybe we should have a forum that allows humor.

For what it is worth, Alla never smoked, drinks very little, eats a healthy diet, has a figure like a 16 year old despite being a grandmother, and rarely sits for one than a few minutes at a time. In addition to being a student full time, part time translator, interpreter and model she rides horses twice a week and goes skiing every Saturday in the winter, swimming every day in the summer and ice skating maybe one day per week, her favorite place being Parc LaFountaine in Montreal.

Maybe it is because she is not a couch potatoe, doesn't own a TV and cares about her health. Just maybe. Can we lighten up a little now? Sheeesh

I am starting to believe that Alla is a super-woman.

You are a lucky man ... but I would not change my wife for 20 Allas, though.

[Martyshk 137]

I am starting to believe that Alla is a super-woman.

You are a lucky man ... but I would not change my wife for 20 Allas, though.

How about 21 Allas? I bet you'd cave!!!!

[clueless_in_usa 8]

How about 21 Allas? I bet you'd cave!!!!

My problem is that she is too perfect. The number does not matter (besides, I would have a heart-attack if I tried with more than one woman, any woman). Satisfying such a perfect woman has to be hard work, and at my age, I prefer the peace of mind rather than perfection.

That is why I love my wife: she is imperfect, as I am ... and she loves me too, despite the long list of imperfections I have