ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomMail Service Warning
Yeah that's odd! My fiance and a friend each sent things to me in the States in Nov and Dec and they never arrived. My family also never received a Christmas card.

We never received a P3, nor did a few other couples I've spoken to. Don't wait for it, you don't have to. If you've confirmed that it's been "sent" out just send back your forms. That's what we did.

That said, his interview letter got to him in a timely manner.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2011-01-20 08:43:00
United KingdomLondon Interview Dates

Got my date for Interview its Feb 16th yipeee


We're Feb 7th! Good luck!
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2011-01-22 00:31:00
United KingdomLondon Interview Dates
Yep, we just called the State Department. Don't waste your money on calling the embassy, they were useless. I confirmed we had an interview set up and within days he got the letter. It only took a few days after they received his medical results (our P3 forms were sent back about a month prior).
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2011-01-20 08:46:00
United KingdomSlacking on the next steps...AOS
How bad is it? I'm terrified. We're still finishing up our K-1 process and I want to die, I can't imagine getting started all over again just weeks after he gets here.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-12-26 22:39:00
United KingdomPre-Pay for K-1 Visa in London?

Is this the number that costs a flat rate of $16 for up to 7 minutes?

also, how do you get the receipt? I can't find anything about this and I'm curious. If I (as the USC) pay over the phone, how does the receipt get worked out?


Yes, it's the expensive number. It's ridiculous, but that's the requirement.

Once you pay you are instantly emailed a receipt that you must sign and present at the interview.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2011-01-25 18:18:00
United KingdomPre-Pay for K-1 Visa in London?

This is such a great idea--delayed our visa by 3 weeks because no one asked David to pay for the visa...which I felt was obvious and he should have asked someone :lol: but I still love him anyway.


Yeah the only reason I even knew was because someone I speak to on here happened to message me about it. We haven't paid yet because we're held up on medical results at the moment. As soon as it's cleared up we'll pay up and be on our way. They will not schedule the interview without the medical results AND the paid fee. I believe it's $350.
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-12-15 00:05:00
United KingdomPre-Pay for K-1 Visa in London?
All of this time I was reading reviews from interviews at the London Embassy and people were saying they pay at the window the day of, now I'm hearing you have to pre-pay or they won't schedule an interview? Which is correct?
gap1FemaleUnited Kingdom2010-12-09 18:25:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Previous arrest...
I suppose at the most it would help if you had a definition of "caution" and "final warning" to bring with you. The embassy does not necessarily see things entirely in black and white and does consider all circumstances. The very fact that you were given a warning is testament to the fact that the police did not think it serious enough to press charges. Anyway, I think you will be fine. Write a concise account of the circumstances. It was such a minor thing.
milesinfrontMaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-01 17:24:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Previous arrest...
I doubt you will need to get a definition of a caution from the police. Just provide a full written explanation, as you have done above. The embassy will know what a caution is, and the fact that you were not charged or prosecuted speaks for itself. Re. the delay, I remember I had to wait a couple of months. Just be patient, because once you get the interview date, things really start moving.
milesinfrontMaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-01 14:59:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Previous arrest...
Sam - just sent a message to your inbox.
milesinfrontMaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-01 14:15:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Previous arrest...
Honestly, I believe you will be fine. This is not legal advice, but in the US battery is considered a minor offense (it can even be dealt with as a civil matter) which is simply classed as the unwanted touching of another person. You were a MINOR when it happened! I was 20 when I received my caution, for suspected assault. If I can give you one piece of advice, it would be DO NOT WORRY. Just get your stuff together, get to the embassy with plenty of time to spare, relax, and look forward to your new life.

I spent many weeks needlessly worrying about the same thing, all for no reason. I remember Googling everything on the subject. I am now a permanent resident, albeit awaiting adjustment of status (!) And the I-94? That asks if you have committed a crime of moral turpitude. Again, not legal advice, but I strongly suspect that simple battery is NOT a CIMT. Aggravated battery is, but I assume you did not use a weapon, inflict serious injury, or attack a child or police officer.

I am sure you will be fine.
milesinfrontMaleUnited Kingdom2009-06-01 14:11:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Previous arrest...
QUOTE (sammills89 @ May 29 2009, 09:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've been doing a lot of searching on this topic, and it seems that you are inelligable for a visa if you have commited a crime of 'moral ineptitude', however - if the crime was commited as a minor and you were never convicted, it shouldn't cause a problem, is this right?

The story goes that I was arrested 3 years ago (at the age of 17) and given a final warning. In England, a final warning is only given too young offenders and is NOT classed as a criminal conviction. It does show up on my police certificate, but the date clearly shows I was a minor at the time and I was never taken to court, therefore I don't have a criminal record.

Am I right to think I shouldn't have a problem at the interview? The only information I could find was that if you were convicted twice as a minor then you may be inelligable also - but this is the only incident in my past and as I said I was never convicted. Hopefully someone can put my mind at ease here! Thanks.

The Sams'.


I had the same issue in applying for my K1 visa. I had a police caution from getting into a fight at University, when I was 20. I disclosed it in full and the embassy officer discussed it with his manager, came back and said "these things happen at college" and authorized my visa. Do not worry, just be honest and open. Obviously each case is different and I cannot say for certain that you will be accepted or denied, but it was not a problem for me. I am now a permanent resident. Good luck! Oh and "moral ineptitude"!! You must mean "moral turpitude." This would mean crimes like drugs, serious assault, rape, murder, fraud etc.

Edited by milesinfront, 29 May 2009 - 04:40 PM.

milesinfrontMaleUnited Kingdom2009-05-29 16:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusproblems with aeroflot.ru ordering with credit card

Exile.ru ROCKS!!!! If you guys haven't stumbled upon this site yet, definitely go there and waste a few hours laughing at the funny (albeit, mostly fact-based) stories. They also have a plethora of knowledge on Russia/Russians. Excellent source for info prior to, and during your trip to the Motherland.

And for some reason.... S7 makes me want some juice. Those planes with the S7 logo look suspiciously like the J7 juice box. Maybe they saw the same add I did with the hot chick drinking juice and thought, "hey, let's go with the green and red and instead of J7, we'll call it S7. " That seems completely possible in a 9:00 AM meeting after a long night at Safari.


The Exile is outstanding. I'd also recommend picking up a copy of the book, The Exile: Sex, Drugs, and Libel in the New Russia.

Slim, you've made me nostalgic for shopping at one of the many kiosks along Moscow's streets, where row upon row of J7 and Baltika beers beckon. I like how there are so many different fruit juices in Russia compared to here, where we're stuck with orange/apple/cranberry and not much else.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-06 11:39:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusproblems with aeroflot.ru ordering with credit card


But sometimes I wonder if it's even worth the bother to be loyal to an airline because of FF miles. For a "free" flight, Lufthansa charges me $250 in taxes and fees...



I used my SkyMiles from Delta to get Elena's ticket from Vladivostok to Moscow. (VVO-SVO) They charged me $10 for the booking fee.

Remember, a free domestic flight doesn't always mean domestic in the U.S., it can also mean domestic Russia.

And for anyone not getting SkyMiles or whatever on their credit card, I highly recommend getting the AMEX from Delta. You'll earn miles pretty fast, and they're very easy to use.


Good idea, and without your free tix she might have been stuck flying on S7 or one of those other dreadful domestic carriers.

Here's an interesting article on Russian domestic carriers from The Exile:

http://www.exile.ru/...russophobe.html
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-05 13:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusproblems with aeroflot.ru ordering with credit card
Aeroflot is the pits.

Since my first trip to see my fiancee, I've used Lufthansa (and other carriers that are Star Alliance partners) and have amassed 70k FF miles. Lufthansa is great but their fares are often higher than most others and on a few trips I received only 1/2 mileage credit because I had some obscure booking code.

I'm going to burn up the Lufthansa miles for award tickets in the Spring and switch to a new carrier/FF program. Since Delta flies nonstop from JFK to SVO, I bought a one-way ticket for Dec. 15 (I'll return a few days later with my fiancee).

But sometimes I wonder if it's even worth the bother to be loyal to an airline because of FF miles. For a "free" flight, Lufthansa charges me $250 in taxes and fees...
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-04 13:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusaeroflot...finally
I've flown mostly Lufthansa/Austrian/LOT and both Lufthansa and Austrian were great, but usually a little more expensive than Delta or Aeroflot. LOT was so-so, on one flight my meal was two slices of bread covered in mayo and a single leaf of lettuce in between. I ragged on my Polish friends here in the US for months after that one. And German people also cheer when they land, but I think it's because most of them drink during the flight :)

One funny thing I've noticed about Russian flyers is that the moment the wheels touch down there's a mad scramble to get their stuff out of the overhead bins and a rush for the doors before the plane has even stopped.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-09 18:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAny recent interviews in Moscow ?

I too looked for a job in Moscow, but it almost seems that unless your company relocates you there (or unless you're an IT guy) it's nearly impossible to find work as an American.

It is, in theory, possible to work as cabbies, prostitutes, and others in the "service" industry, and have very lucrative careers there, but it's not exactly on the up and up. Then again, neither is anything else in Russia.

The offer is still on the table..... tell Grand to give me the word.


OK, but you still might not like working there :)

She has two directors, one of whom is a jackass. At one point last Summer she had to work three weeks straight, 7 days per week/12 hours per day, to cover for colleagues who were taking vacations. That month, one of her directors deducted $50 from her paycheck because he noticed dust on some of the fixtures she uses for her projects (the designers are responsible for keeping their stuff clean). Any decent manager would never do something so heartless to a loyal, dedicated employee. But like she says when I get angry about such things, "it's Russia..."
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-18 15:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAny recent interviews in Moscow ?


Thanks TG, I hope your upcoming timeline will be even faster :)

This site was my Bible when I prepared my I-129F, I asked a few questions along the way and always got the correct answers.

In all honesty, we never expected the process to move so quickly, and while we were both ecstatic about our NAO2, it wasn't all a bed of roses. We anticipated this would take 6 months or so, and so she told her director that she'd probably resign her job in Feb./Mar. Now she's told him her last day is Nov. 30, and this being Russia she's worried he'll screw her out of her final paycheck, which will be about 4k lost.

But we're happy and optimistic :)



Tell her to tell her boss that there's a chubby white guy on the way to fill in for her on Dec. 1st. If I could make 4 grand in Russia, there's no way I would stay here.

(Now, is that per month, or what? And just what is she doing to be making that much loot? I don't even make that here!)


Thanks Slim, send me your resume and I'll forward it on :)

My fiancee is one of the top interior designers for Grand, it's the largest furniture store in Europe.

She makes good money as all her clients are wealthy people, her usual monthly salary is around $2500, not $4k. But now she's working her tail off, 7 days per week, because she wants to bring as much cash with her to the US as possible.

The way managers screw their employees in Russia is pretty simple. Almost no one pays taxes. Even in a legit and lucrative business like hers, her reported income is only a fraction of what she really makes, so she pays a nominal tax each month and her company pays the rest of her salary in cash. So even if she complains to whatever passes for the authorities in Moscow, they will tell her that even if she's correct she's only entitled to a few rubles.

When we first got serious, she wanted me to move to Moscow and I sent out tons of resumes to US companies with offices there, but didn't get even a single interview.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-09 16:33:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAny recent interviews in Moscow ?
Thanks TG, I hope your upcoming timeline will be even faster :)

This site was my Bible when I prepared my I-129F, I asked a few questions along the way and always got the correct answers.

In all honesty, we never expected the process to move so quickly, and while we were both ecstatic about our NAO2, it wasn't all a bed of roses. We anticipated this would take 6 months or so, and so she told her director that she'd probably resign her job in Feb./Mar. Now she's told him her last day is Nov. 30, and this being Russia she's worried he'll screw her out of her final paycheck, which will be about 4k lost.

But we're happy and optimistic :)
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-08 19:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAny recent interviews in Moscow ?

Hey Cesar....Your fiancee will be ok going through Germany. When I was going through Hannover there were many Russians that went through Immigration there with no problem. Good luck to you guys !!!


I don't think it's possible for his fiancee to pass through immigration in Germany unless she has a Schengen visa or a transit visa.

But unless she has a long layover and wants to stay in a hotel, there's no reason for her to pass through customs. She can get to her connecting flight anywhere in Frankfurt Int. by using the air trains on the top level. The trains and gates in all three terminals are behind customs. She can't exit the airport but she can get to her connecting flight without having to show anything more than her tickets/boarding pass.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-06 09:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAny recent interviews in Moscow ?

Travlnmann,

Thank you for the good luck remark. I was just a little concerned for a moment. All is well. She wants to fly Lufthansa and fly St Petersburg-Frankfurt-Los Angeles. Do RUssian citizens who are in transit need some type of visa to enter Germany? I don't want her to be delayed in customs while she is transit to Los Angeles.

Cesar



Your fiancee shouldn't have a problem transiting through Frankfurt. I've flown through Frankfurt many times and have noticed that it's very easy to move from terminal to terminal without having to pass through customs.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-04 13:48:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInconsiderate update!!

A lot of these women are MAJORLY "heetri"... cunning like a fox contemplating the henhouse and very very sophisticated at using their femininity in order to manipulate things to their own advantage. I truly believe it's in their culture, it's in their genes and it's in their mindset.


Good luck next time around, this knowledge came at a steep price to you but will likely keep you from repeating your mistake.

I came within a hair of making the same mistake as you a few years ago, only dumb luck saved my bacon before I started the K1 process. I still shudder when I think how close I came to marrying a monster... But in a way it was the best thing that ever happened to me because it tore away the blinders I was wearing.

One of the problems is that in Russia or Ukraine, not many people will criticize your ex for what she did. In fact, many people will admire her and some will even envy her.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-18 15:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInconsiderate update!!

My point is that it's not above SOME people from this culture to do such things.

I don't give a bowl-of-borscht whether anyone believes my personal story or not, the point was they are aware such things can be done, and can be done to their benefit.

I know of other guys this has happened to as well, but I prefer to speak from personal experience, not hearsay of a 3rd party.

-- Dan


The sad truth is that this can be a very dirty business. Before I met my fiancee, I was dating female Russian expats living in the US through this website. Outside of one girl who won the visa lottery, every single girl I met married US men and then divorced a year or more later. Almost all had spent only a single week with their man before he proposed and she accepted. One girl I met was a bit secretive about her living situation, finally at the end of our date she told me that she was engaged to a guy on Long Island and that she didn't love him. She wasn't even married yet and she was looking for a lover.

I'm sure most of these women sincerely wanted their marriages to work, but the bottom line is that there are a lot of FSU women who will roll the dice with a guy they trust and hope that love will eventually bloom. Bottom line: know your girl very, very well before you commit to something as serious as marriage.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-11-14 16:56:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusThat one-way ticket to the US
I've used this site for about a year, it consistently offers the best prices:

http://www.mobissimo...rch_airfare.php

FWIW, in early November I reserved two one-way tix from SVO-JFK departing 12/20. My fiancee's interview was scheduled for 12/12, I knew I was taking a chance buying tix before she was issued her visa, but I figured if I waited until 12/12 and wanted to be with her before the new year, I'd end up paying out the wazoo.

Anyway, I flew to Moscow on the 15th, she got her visa on the 16th, and we flew to JFK on the 20th. Aside from the fact that they lost our luggage, everything was fine (and she got her EAD stamp).
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2006-12-24 22:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusairfare to Russia
I've found these two site consistently give me the best deals on flights from NYC to Moscow:

http://www.mobissimo...rch_airfare.php

http://www.bt-store.com/
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-05-20 12:09:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInteresting

I had a friend send me this link today, maybe some of you are familiar with it.
It was the first time I knew it even existed and after I read some of it a lot of it doesn't sound like the Russian wife friends I have here in my community.

http://www.geocities...ina/PAGE13.html

bruc


I hate to say this and perhaps it's more of a statement on the area that we live in, but since my wife's arrival here six months ago, she hasn't managed to make any friends among NYC's Russian/Ukrainian community. She's met scores of women but they all seem to care only about what kind of car she drives, how big our home is, what my job is, etc. It's not really an issue for us since she's made plenty of other friends and quite frankly we've always felt that there's us--and somewhere beyond there's the rest of the world. I'd always known that Russian expats in the US could be an ultra-competitive bunch but still I was surprised as to the extent.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-06-04 19:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusUS - Russia relations
I've found that most of what passes for commentary on Russia from outlets like The Economist, WSJ, CNN, Time, etc. is alarmist Russophobic #######.

If you want to keep up to date on current affairs in Russia, subscribe to Johnson's Russia List.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-08-01 13:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusChristmas Vacation in the Dominican Republic

Groov, Now I find out you have connections down this way. Story of my life. Day late and a dollar short. Then time starts flying and inflation sets in.


TG, even with a 50% discount it probably wouldn't make financial sense to stay at a Superclubs resort for more than a few weeks :)

My wife and I are hoping to hit Grand Lido Negril in October. If you guys plan to head back or would like to visit a resort hit me up.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-07-25 08:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusChristmas Vacation in the Dominican Republic
Slim,

I might be able to help you get a Caribbean vacation on the cheap, send me a PM if you haven't already made arrangements.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-07-24 09:55:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDS156 - online form - some questions

https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp

1. Item # 7 - First and Middle name as in passport
Fiancee has middle name written only in Russian letters on her passport. How should this middle name be filled up on this online DS156 form?


Be sure it's not her patronymic, as this is not a middle name.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-08-14 13:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusNew to Site
QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Aug 26 2007, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Welcome!You are lucky to find this page before even starting K1.
It takes in total around 8 months from the date when you send docs to your interview.
I wish You the best luck and prepare to go through long and hard process.But its worth it!


If he's located in Florida I assume he'll use the VSC, which is the fastest of the service centers. FWIW, I used the VSC when I filed nearly 1 year ago today and my wife's interview was about 3 1/2 months later.

I remember how ecstatic we were when we got our NAO2 -- however, the euphoria lasted only a day or so because after that all our plans and hopes were suddenly very "real." We had to decide if we wanted to be together before the holidays (yes!), how she would exit her job in a way that her employer couldn't use the situation to scam her out of 2 weeks pay (this is very common in Russia and Ukraine, sadly), plus countless other small details.

Good luck and use your processing time as productively as possible by preparing her (and yourself) for your new life together.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-08-26 10:57:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGood Luck Turbo
QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 11 2007, 03:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
YAHOOOOOOOOOOO. I got the word at 3:03 AM. The visa was approved. I guess I can go to bed now but I don't think sleeping will be very easy.

Groov, We have not worked out the details. We decided not to make any plans or arrangements until the visa is in hand. Since she is way out in Barnaul I would expect that to be about a week. I would think she would need some time to wrap up things there. My guess is she will fly here in about 2-3 weeks.

We will likely do some sight seeing up in the big apple in the next few months and we would be happy to buy you and your wife some lunch if you happen to be free.


Congrats, TG! We'd be glad to meet up with you guys. Don't know how familiar you are with Manhattan and the rest of NYC, but we'd be glad to show you around. We're always up for a B train excursion (the B goes to Brighton), also.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-09-11 20:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusGood Luck Turbo
QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 10 2007, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Sep 10 2007, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
so what are the news did you get approved?

Not yet, She should be standing in front of the Embassy right now waiting to go in. I am looking for a message in another 3 hours and will stay up and wait for it.

Thanks John! Thanks Sid!


Good luck, TG. Don't answer this until you have the thumbs up from your fiancee later today, but what are your plans for bringing her here?
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-09-10 23:11:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSetting up the household before she arrives
QUOTE (slim @ Oct 15 2007, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Me too! I've tried in vain to get my wife to post here but it's just not interesting for her. Plus, this is kind of "my" thing.


My wife is the same way Slim, she looks at the boards as some sort of playground for boys and couldn't be bothered to post!

In my experience, there is no greater friend to you during the time of your fiancee's initial transition than PATIENCE. Whenever you feel sorry for yourself after she inexplicably loses it and blames you for every calamity under the sun, every time she confesses that she wishes she were back home in Russia, every time you take her out to dinner and she orders something expensive and after one bite decides she doesn't like it... SUCK IT UP and remember the sacrifices she's made and the enormous stress she is feeling while living in a strange land, completely dependent upon you for everything.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-10-15 12:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSetting up the household before she arrives
QUOTE (Sid and Nancy @ Oct 4 2007, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's so funny to read all that - it looks like a lot of you guys are married to very traditional homemaker-type women smile.gif I thought they were all extinct nowadays.


It's easy to say such things based on a few comments, but the reality is much more complex. My wife, for instance, was one of the top designers at the largest furniture store in Europe, she's just beginning to look for work here now that her AOS is complete and I'm sure she'll have a great career. Her interest in redecorating our home was, naturally, more than a Suzy Homemaker project.

I actually do more cooking than my wife does as I enjoy it and I'm better at it (just don't tell her, please), and we both pitch in at cleaning. I never was attracted to homemaker-type women (although I don't begrudge those who are, as there are men and women who want such roles in life and if it makes them happy, who am I to judge?).

The thing is, when she tells casual friends some of the things she feels strongly about (having children, the importance of family, her loathing of gender-neutral clothing that she sees many American women wearing, etc.), they immediately assume she's some docile scullery maid who waits for me at home each evening with a pair of slippers and martini in each hand. Man, if only they knew the real story... It's vexing but ultimately kind of funny. wacko.gif Anyway, this is a discussion for another topic, sorry for running off on a tangent...
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-10-05 13:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusSetting up the household before she arrives
QUOTE (moxcamel @ Oct 4 2007, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Over on this thread, 1HappyGuy had some great suggestions on how to prepare for the fiance's arrival. Picking up a hair blower and other "lady" stuff probably wouldn't have occurred to me.

Anyone else have suggestions on how they setup their household to get ready for her arrival? Any special "Russification" things I can do to make her feel more at home? I live in Monterey, CA, and unfortunately the closest Russian food store is (I think) in Santa Cruz, about 45 minutes away. But we do have a great farmer's market that she'll probably love. When we went to the market together in her home town she made me put back an apple I picked up because it was too big. "I think is too big because of chemicals" she said. Don't think she's gonna be too impressed with the produce section at Safeway. smile.gif


Clean, clean, clean and clean again, although she'll still likely come up with the equivalent of "you missed a spot" numerous times after she arrives and is settling in smile.gif

You should also go through all your desk drawers, closets, etc., and remove ALL photos, correspondence, phone #s, etc. that relate to past girlfriends. Doesn't matter if you have a Valentine's Day card from your 7th grade admirer, believe me that stuff is just a ticking time bomb when it comes to Russian women.

Like posters above have written, don't invest anything in redecorating because she'll have her own ideas on how to make your place home. It will be one of her first real acts of laying claim to her new territory, she'll feel useful during a time when she's going to be extremely dependent upon you, and it will give you both a fresh start together.

As far as food, chances are even your best produce won't hold a candle to what was available at home. (And even if it does, it won't, if you catch my drift smile.gif

Good luck!
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-10-04 14:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFunny Stories
Anyone try using a washing machine in Russia or Ukraine and notice how long the cycle lasts?

On my very first trip I rented a small studio that had the western amenities I wanted, including a washing machine. One night I returned to my apt. around midnight and decided to do a quick wash before I went to bed. At 1AM I was too sleepy so I crashed, only to be woken periodically by the washer as it cycled and spun and rinsed. I couldn't figure out which controls stopped or paused the cycle, so I had no choice but to let it finish.

The last time I was awakened, about 3AM, I remember thinking "please God, when will it end!?!?!"

One thing I found interesting was that most Russian people I know who have washing machines have no set place to situate them. Some were in bathrooms, some in kitchens, others in living rooms smile.gif
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-10-24 12:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat Are Your Experiences With Language Issues
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 5 2007, 01:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sunshine and puppy dogs..... love will conquer all!!!

I'm not sure how you say that in Russian. Oh well, doesn't matter because my fiancee loves me and we'll figure out a way to communicate because we both love each other. It doesn't matter if we need a translator to express our ideas and emotions to each other because we really love each other.


The glass is half full.

Full of bull$#!T.


I'd have to agree. Every time I see some lovestruck guy here saying it doesn't matter that he can't have a conversation with his fiancee because they're head-over-heels in love, I get a sinking feeling that there will be yet another trainwreck.

Can some pull it off? Undoubtedly; but based on my experience w/other couples and dating Russian women in the US before I met my wife, I'd say they are a very very tiny minority.

My wife and I have been living together for 10 months and I'd never be so naive to call us a success at such an early stage, but I don't know how we'd have ever weathered our first few months together in the US if I hadn't been able to explain to her extensively about finances, bills, discretionary income, transit, projects to keep her busy until she had her EAD, family, friends, food, customs, traditions, etc., etc.

The stresses and intense isolation that our spouses endure upon arrival are extraordinary, and add to that their total dependence upon us for the first year or so and you have a ticking timebomb. A single argument over some silly misunderstanding can have her reaching for her suitcase (and that's if she's a decent person, lesser women will use the opportunity to file DV charges and fast-track their Green Card with you on the sidelines). I can't imagine resolving serious issues without a common language.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-09-05 15:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat Are Your Experiences With Language Issues

Natasha may take English classes (something like ESL) and she may not - she has taken classes before and she believes that simply being here and immersed in English (and with me as her guide) will be all she requires. We will play this by ear and see how it goes.


Just my two bits, but you ought to urge your fiancee to begin taking English lessons NOW, not after she arrives.

As a single mom, she's probably accustomed to doing things on her own and has a strong sense of independence. Unless she's experienced long stretches of life outside Russia away from her native language, then she has no idea how isolated she'll feel when she arrives here. She'll be dependent upon you for everything, and as odd as it sounds this will sometimes lead to resentment, no matter how good a partner and provider you are.

There will be big, big hurdles for you both when she arrives, believe me the more that you can remove now the easier her transition (and yours) will be!

Good luck :)
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-07-27 09:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTourist Visa from Russia to US
QUOTE (mjoy61 @ Nov 8 2007, 07:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Debating each other about a trip to Russia that I am not planning on taking is not helping me much.


If I'm completely off base here I offer my apologies in advance, but it seems to me you've never met this woman in person yet expect her to travel 5000 miles to meet you, a stranger, on your own turf?

Any self-respecting woman would insist that, at the very least, you meet in neutral territory for the initial meeting; most, if sincere, would insist you travel to her home city.

Complain all you want that I didn't address your initial question, but I've seen enough naive Western men groomed as mules for RW to recommend caution in situations like this.
groovlstkNot TellingRussia2007-11-10 11:13:00