Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	That sucks. We've had legislation introduced to protect our right to carry and secure our handguns in privately owned vehicles on company lots. I believe the votes are taking place this spring. Perhaps KY will have something similar after it passes in Ohio? We'll see. The bank also doesn't like the idea of employees bringing guns to work. You can imagine why.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-28 11:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	Can you legally secure your firearm in your vehicle while on company property? We're in that limbo zone right now of "employer's property" where our CCH doesn't guarantee our right to secure a handgun in a vehicle on company property. We have legislation in the works to protect that right. No, I can't. Our parking is at the structure owned by the hotel next door.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-27 20:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	I'm all for avoiding trouble, but sometimes you have to go through an area that may not be safe. I carry sometimes when on the Western KY Parkway late at night. I have no real choice but to come home that way, but some of the more isolated exits are pretty far from anything. I do not agree with the "I'll just take my AK-47 with me then" attitude either. Just enough firepower to get the message across IF necessary, or get the job done IF necessary. I can't carry on the job because i work in a bank building, and they take a dim view of it.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-18 12:35:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	10 to 1 he lived west of 8th Ave. Or south of Poplar Level. No bet.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-09 23:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	Kids here still do dumb stuff. Police can't "take care of it" like they used to. It's important to note parents don't "take care of it" like they used to either. Could be a connection there. If parents or police "take care of it" with anything stronger than a scolding - they get charged with abuse. That is the connection. A cop here in Louisville told me that he arrested a thirteen year old who actually pointed a loaded pistol at another officer. He was out in 30 days. The juvenile Justice System here has no space or inclination to keep kids. They send 'em back to mom and dad. When mom and dad try to fix the situation - see above.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-09 20:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	Did you see the National Museum? The night I met Alla we were walking all over the city and we went up on that balcony at the entry, we sat up there talking for quite a while and I just knew she would be my wife. She says if I told her that THEN, she would have run away from the crazy American maniac! We stayed about four blocks from Wencislaus square. If the museum is the one at the top of the square, then no. Vika ran me ragged walking around old town, lesser town, and the palace. She didn't care what the weather was like, she was on a mission to get as many pictures as possible. No museum was going to interfere with that mission.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-10-31 21:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	I did always love Prague though, one of my favorite places for the weekend and IMHO the best place to meet Ukrainian women. Can't say Prague will ever be a favorite of mine, but as you say, lots of Ukrainians there. I did enjoy that nearly every one, everywhere, spoke at least some English. Nice to be able to ask questions on the street without using my halting Russian. We also had an excursion with a 45 year old male guide who spoke both English and Russian. He was a Czech ultra-nationalist, and spent a fair amount of time telling funny stories about KGB goofs during the occupation. He maintained that the culture of his country is being spoiled by all the silly commy ####### in the gift shops that he claims are mafia run. He says that clearly, most Westerners cannot distinguish between Russian and Czech, and the tourist industry is just making it tougher for the uninitiated. Interesting talking with him.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-10-31 12:30:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	After I was there for a couple weeks, I realized its not even rudeness its just survival mode, they don't really "que" like we do. Very similar to other parts of Europe like Germany. They just see an opening and go for it But I had a lot of trouble when I first got there not getting knocked over at the farmers market. I have visited different parts of Eastern Europe for years, and I agree that there is a different concept of etiquette and personal space. You can't tell me though that the babushka I mentioned earlier didn't grasp that it was rude to cut across lines and push people down. Particularly when other Russian speakers were telling her so (loudly) and she was ignoring them. I also see alot of what I call "fearless baba syndrome". I first really noticed this in Romania when the Evergreen Foundation driver I was with was slamming on the breaks for one cane-bearing old lady after another. They just assume that every one else will watch for them, he said, and that their age entitles them to go where they want, when they want. That includes in front of you	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-10-30 10:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	I think its the time of year, when I flew Lot to Krakow a few months ago the plane was packed except for first class. Funny when I was headed over for my first time to FSU I asked my husband to pick up a "babushka" for me, so I would have it to take with me to church. Which of course he thought was a very strange request because why would he pick up a "grandma" for me? When I was a kid, we referred to "babushka" as the head scarf seen worn by most "babushka's" How about those airports? Prauge Franz Kafka The rudeness and what people think they can get away with just blows my mind. Fortunately I travel with Vika, who doesn't hesitate a minute to argue with anybody if she thinks we are being treated badly.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-10-30 08:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	???	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-10-30 08:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Back from Ukraine/Czech	Hi all - we just got back from Ukraine and the Czech Republic, and it looks like the economic slowdown is really having an effect, particularly in Ukraine. We flew LOT through Warsaw. The plane was half empty on the way over, and the flight crew was even less helpful than usual. Typical circus on the way back though. A Russian babushka (Moscow accent Vika said) spent the trip back kicking and pushing my seat to express her displeasure that I put it back. When the plane landed she pushed past Vika and I with carry on and nearly knocked us over. At passport control the same babushka cut across four lines, to the front of each, trying to get to the front of the line moving fastest. Then at baggage claim, she shoved a stroller with a baby in it and knocked over a family's bags to get closer to the luggage coming off the plane. Typical stuff right? Restaurants in Odessa were half empty, and there were just two or three vendors at the Potemkin Steps. In Kherson also, business appeared way off. The businesses where my in-laws work have cut back shifts. Vika's grandpa made it a point to tell me that all the workers in Czech and Poland want a return to communist government, because the American system has failed Vika almost choked laughing. And I have to say that Czech isn't my favorite place in the world either. Maybe bad weather, bad hotel, and total sameness of Prague to most other capitals in Eastern Europe contributed though	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-10-30 08:17:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	TOUCHING	Thank you Brad. Our very own RUB cleaner-upper. Really, I just filed on the disconnector a little and the next time I pulled the trigger, the whole dang magazine emptied! Brrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaapppppppp! Just like that! Who'da thunk it? Happens	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-02-15 07:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	TOUCHING	Multiple posts removed, and Gary's computer sanitized for your protection. Have a nice day! VJ Moderating Team	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-02-11 16:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	RUBers Hate Women ???	Locked for review	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-02-15 21:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	First visit back	Vika reports (after consultation with her cousins, who live in Kiev) that all is well. Travel safely and enjoy!	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 01:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	I work for my family. I hope to be $5 million in debt when I die. It could happen	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 17:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	The "other half" comes from an old Ukrainian folk belief that when a person is born, their "other half" is somewhere in the world. That they shooul dfind them and if they do they will be happy forever. Some people still believe that. Some come to believe it after they meet their special someone. even if she does not believe in this, she will know what it means and know it is serious. Eactly. Giving a signal early on that you are serious and sincere matters, imo. I am in the airport now, so keeping it short(er) to try and appear coherent(er)	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 17:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	Most of the stuff you said is quite right, but I can't agree with this sentence. I would say it's better when it's a "husband, friend and lover". Can be father for some FSU women, but mostly if they were deprived of father's attention and these very women are more likely to date guys, who are 10-15 or even 20-25 years older than them. If a woman had a caring father, she's not going to look for another one, she's more likely to look for a friend. My fiance does that too I don't really like the word "queen", but "princess" is even worse for me. I don't know, maybe age has something to do with it, but i'm used to hear the word "princess" when people are referring to somebody spoilt and misbehaving.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 16:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	I went through a rather lengthy (over five years) courtship with my wife and we sometimes went several months without talking. I've heard of folks on here worrying if they go a few hours without hearing from their fiancee. "She didn't SMS me last night. I think she's seeing someone else." Keep in mind there are 48,000 more out there. Don't lose sight of who the real catch is. Not my point at all. Don't worry if SHE doesn't initiate. She expects you to do that. I remember you saying that you did most of the chasing slim Exactly what I was saying. So now we see the two divergent extreme opinions about communication(that must be accurate, people SAY they do it right here on the internet): 1) She is a princess, queen, light of my life. I do everything for her (before she even knows she needs it, and for sure immediately after she mentions it - happily, without saying a thing). I tell her everyday that I cannot live without her - more every month we are together, anything else you are told is WRONG, or, 2) I tell her this is Amurica, this is the way we do it. I made as much of a sacrifice here as you - so get busy paying your half. I will call you when I feel like it, and don't really care if you want something else. Get over yourself. Anything else you were told is WRONG. The path you take, or some middle road, depends on the people you are I think. There is no real recipe, and whatever works for you is what works, that includes how you meet, date, marry, or live. Edited by Brad and Vika, 02 March 2011 - 02:49 PM.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 14:48:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	We've had a few talks where I said I'm searching for my "second half" or "partner in life." I never mentioned queen or princess or babuska ...ya think she would laugh or slap me if I called her babuska? We have not had any deep emotional talks because we both felt we needed to meet before any emotions can be expressed. She mentioned that other men have contacted her before, and within 5 minutes of chatting are professing their love and dreams of marriage with her. Then a week later they never hear from the guy again. Another good point. Because you are (culturally speaking in Ukraine) supposed to be the one who initiates the contact, if you drop off the radar for any length of time it sends up a big flag that you may not be serious. You frequent communication is key, and she is probably talking with family/friends often about when you call, how long you talk, etc. This is part of a vetting process I think.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 11:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	Queens are old and have to make decisions. Princesses are young and pampered! I was being sarcastic. I only use the term "you Majesty" when I am irritated. Never call her queen, or tell her she is in charge or has to make the decisions. Imo, princess is reserved for kids too, but each to their own. Try the term "my half", or "my second half", rather than queen or princess. You can try it on the phone now. It will be appreciated.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 11:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	I'm with the rest of these guys - don't tell her squat. Just let her know how rich you are, how big your sausage is, and how much you want to make her the happiest woman in the world. That's all she really wants to hear anyway. Oh, and whatever you do, don't flirt with the translator. Don't forget to tell her she is the queen and in charge of everything too Maybe she's worried about me meeting other girls? Yes, and with reason. Is romance dead in our society? You know it is.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-02 01:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	#######! I just figured out...I have been tricked! You should take action immediately!!! I don't know what it might be or anything.... just saying.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-02-27 18:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Odd translation request	Sweet Lord! 50,000 pages of detailed advice already. DO you think we have opinions we need to share I agree with Gary's comment in post #15 (a few hours and a million words ago) about Eastern European Women having some double standards insofar as emotional displays, etc. It does, in my experience, cut both ways - with benefits attached for dealing with the stress I also agree with all the many many statements about not telling too much about your history too soon. Really, isn't that common sense for any new relationship? Talk about your daughter, your relationship with your family, etc. Do not talk about money at all, or your car, or how big your house is, because it is rude. If she asks about any of that, tell her you will email a picture of where you live later. Be prepared for some different customs while courting too. Men are supposed to chase, women run. My wife refused to discuss money at all before she arrived. She refused to spend any time calling me (first), or initiating contact. It was my responsibility to engage her and convince her that a relationship was worthwhile, especially when she wouldn't respond. She expected a fair amount of patience when she was out of touch, or acting weird. There were very few questions about past relationships. I still make the call on most financial issues - meaning I have to figure out how to pay One major difference I see in our relationship and some others I read about here is that I don't tolerate much hysteria. I am not saying it doesn't happen, but displays of bad temper don't sit well, and I tend not to let them pass without comment. I read here that lots of men (in particular) just put up with it though. I really don't care what a Ukrainian guy would do either. Best to address that issue early on (but not on your first trip ). Edited by Brad and Vika, 27 February 2011 - 03:30 PM.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-02-27 15:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	How to pay for K-1 interview in KIEV???	Duplicate topic removed	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-03-03 21:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Hire an interpreter	The whole thing is really a ####### shoot and it's pretty ridiculous that the visa officers have so much arbitrary power. My brother-in-law, who is 30, single, unemployed, with no property to his name managed to get a visa for the wedding with essentially no questions asked. He really had very little to lose by jumping ship. I can't even honestly figure out what I would have said if I had to argue that he had ties to Russia. But it was a quick interview with no hang-ups. The one thing that I can point to as being useful is travel history. By brother in law had been to the US once before and returned on schedule. He also had past Schengen visas. My mother in law also got a visa for the wedding. She owns an apartment but doesn't have steady work. She doesn't speak English. She also has an extensive history of Schengen and UK visas so I think that helped out. We didn't hire an interpreter because my brother in law translated for my mother in law. This seems to be a pretty important point. My friend here in town is married to my wife's BFF. His MIL has been here to help with their new baby for about six months, and sailed through the visa process without a problem, apparently because she had a schengen visa within six months of her application.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-02-26 09:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	As far as being recognized...that happens constantly! Everyone remembers her wherever she goes. If I'm by myself, they usually don't recognize me at all, but if they did, it's like others...they ask where my wife is! Another funny thing along the same lines...my wife is always surprised when people ask her where she's from! "How they know this?" She can't believe they can tell by just be hearing her speak a couple words. In actuality they know just from looking at her and the voice confirms it. Pretty funny though to see her surprise. Just like us Vika is just amazed that people remember her for so long. I try not to tell her how memorable she is to them because I enjoy the surprise too.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-01-31 17:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	When they can call over to TJ Maxx or whatever, it may not be a huge career builder for them, but it's verifiable employment in the US and lets them see she was working somewhere while searching for a "real" job. Verifiable by whom? The rocket scientists at TJ Maxx? Some of those brainiacs can't even verify their own phone number, or add without a register to do the math. Seriously, I think Vika could submit her resume' in Russian and still be OK.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-01-30 23:26:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	There's a whole lot of truth to this. I accompanied my wife to a very trendy store in an uppity area - a place where she'd be perfect - and the ladies there literally turned up their noses the moment she walked in. I couldn't hear the claws coming out, but I definitely saw some backs being arched and a hiss or two. Same thing happened at restaurants where a lot of women worked. Now, at other places, where the men ran things - she couldn't get a better welcome! Vika still asks me how people remember us so well Bartenders know what we drink, waiters remember what we order, etc. When I tell her "you know that if I show up here without you, they ask where you are, but cannot remember anything else?", she just laughs. I say "it isn't US they are remembering", and we're married, so you can 'fess up to it	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2011-01-30 09:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	All that water in the toilet .... Tanya said the same thing Alla said about it! My wife is also very impressed that we have water 24-7. Now THAT'S luxury! Ah yes, the little things that count the most	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-12-30 19:58:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	Big adjustments is an understatement. Word	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-12-22 21:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	I read part of this thread a couple of weeks ago and had a nice laugh thinking about a few times in Ukraine when I was reprimanded because I forgot to take off my shoes at the door. Tonight while I was talking to my fiancee on Skype she saw me bend down and asked what I was doing. I told her I was taking off my shoes and the flood gates opened! After asking if this is normal (and me of course saying it is!), she says "I saw it in movies, but didn't think people really did it!" Now she's worried about what other disgusting habits she will have to correct when she gets here. Whatever she may find, I will be happy to make the change when we can finally be together. Thanks everyone for your posts! Nice one! You will both have some big adjustments to make. My grandmother called that (and the spirited discussion that comes with it) the spice of life. I take nexium now	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-12-22 08:28:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	I think they don't care. As long as the girl is waaaay out of their league yet still agrees to have sex with them every now and then, they're good.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-16 14:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	It baffles me that there are dudes out there whose wives and girlfriends will sit there and say disparaging things about them and they just smile and nod. "Yep, I'm hittin that." Yeah, you and everyone else she talks about. Erum..... big red flag?	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-15 19:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	Well, it depends on the context. If your wife said, "Ty mne zayebal!," it is the same as "nadoyel"--I am f*$king sick of you, you're being f&%king annoying. If you wanted to say it to your wife, you'd say, "Ty mne zayebalA!," and then you'd go sleep on the couch. If someone says "Vsyo zayebis'," however, that's like saying "Everything is cool/ok." Don't worry, vsyo zayebis'! My buddy called me and said his wife (I have called her several uncomplimentary names here before), was mad at him again. She was rolling her eyes and saying ZA-YA-BAL! I think he mowed some flowers or something. Of course he didn't pronounce the word correctly - so I had to try several times while Vika asked questions, then went into a hysterical laughing fit, and called his wife to make sure. Sure enough.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-15 17:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	zayebal is a verb. Completely different from dolboyob, which basically means jackass/@$$hole. My online translator thing gave me dickhead/f***head. Thanks eekee. I never heard yours before. The one I put out there I have heard used as a adjective. Vika doesn't really curse much, but her best GF's husband asked me what it meant. Vika laughed pretty hard when I asked her.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-15 07:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	I imagine that she is saying DOLBOYOB. **gasp** never to her husband!!! Maybe zayabal though	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-14 20:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	VVVoooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhtttt ? Read Slim's post #33 above	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-14 15:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	If a woman calls me her b1tch, it better be in a language I don't understand	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-14 08:41:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus	Learning English	I'm fully trained. When I walk into anyone's house the first thing I do is start taking my shoes off. "What are you doing, bro?" "uhhhhhh... force of habit?" My wife just smiles and says, "uh huh. That's right. Who's my b!tch?" Ugly.... just ugly But funny.	Brad and Vika	Male	Ukraine	2010-11-13 09:41:00