what are these 'big cultural differences?'

[Mike]

... in response to A good lesson for new guys searching, posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

Ryan
I agree with you and I'm trying to make this same point known on my web sight ( as soon as it's finished ) I was lucky enough to have been to many countries while in the Marines and had a good time meeting women and not knowing their language, anyway if I had not already known it was not a big problem it's hard to say what I would have done when making plans to visit Moscow. I just got a ticket and went, and the only planning I did was locate a place to stay when I got there, and having someone meet me at the airport. I did all this without a service. Hell I met my wife at McDonalds there !

Mike

[WilliamF]

... in response to A good lesson for new guys searching, posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

Ryan - good observations re "cultural differences" for a guy that's spent a total of 10 days in the FSU. You seem to catch on quick.

As for avoiding "meet and greet" agencies  I couldn't agree with you more. Yes, the alternative does require a little imagination, not to mention some b*lls, and some basic Russian language skills. (I think too much is made of the "language barrier." Its amazing what two people can do with a Russian-English dictionary.)

Anyway, looking forward to your website. If you need some input, let me know....William

[WilliamF]

... in response to what are these 'big cultural differences..., posted by Stan B on Dec 19, 2001

Stan - How about these:

(1) plastic bags and other stuff I normally would throw away are "collector's items" for my wife (our house is bursting at the seams);
(2) whistling in the house (forbidden - means you will not have money);
(3) the meaning of dreams (dreams are like windows to the future for my wife);
(4) coffee (better know something about "Turkish coffee");
(5) mayonaise ( what is labelled "mayonaise" in the US has no resemblence to the Russian stuff);
(6) the concept of time (my wife gives the term "fashionably late" a whole new meaning).

Anyone care to add to the list?

[yoe]

... in response to Re: what are these 'big cultural differe..., posted by WilliamF on Dec 19, 2001

n.t

[Ryan]

... in response to what are these 'big cultural differences..., posted by Stan B on Dec 19, 2001

Well it is great that you like the same food but when I was with my friend in Lugansk she would eat the raw or smoked fish as if it were a steak dinner.  I could not even sit at the same table as the smell was making me sick... Ok that was not a big culture diff ok..

They would leave the chicken out on the window sill all night and not put it in the frig.  Ok that was not that bad I could live with that ...  Just would not eat..

They would drink juice and such either warm or room temp etc.  They said if they drank it cold like I was doing by putting in ice etc.  They would get a sore throat and be sick.  Now that was strange...

I will not even get into all the crazy Superstitions...

My friends in Ukraine are used to big families and they are close.  They must rely on each other for support and most of us in U.S.A. are not like this.  At least my family is not that close.  They will be alone and bored...

They are used to a different working environment in their country.  We here in U.S.A. work all the time.

I know I could think of more but I think you get my point.  Just face it you have a gem of a women...

Your a lucky man,
Ryan

[yoe]

... in response to Ummm ok.... Here..., posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

funny too---------i know what all fo you dudes are saying. And yes I am going to start a paper bag company soon-

[Robert D]

... in response to smoked fish and chicken on the counter....., posted by yoe on Dec 19, 2001

Reading this was funny.  When in St. Pete my friend picked up some smoked fish on the street.    They were small and I am told are a nice snack.   Well I am from south Louisiana, and we eat anything that flies, swims, or walks, just about, but I must tell you this was a little different.   You see earlier that day I walked down to the river in the middle of town and the water was so polluted and full of everything that could float, that I almost tossed my cookies.   To make it worse, these poor people were fishing in it, and I was certain nothing could live in that water.   It was about 15 minutes later when my friend very nicely offered me the smoked fish, complete with eyes.   Well, I declined.  I am sure it may have been tasty, but after the river, I was concerned about where it came from.  

Robert D.

[Ryan]

... in response to Ummm ok.... Here..., posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

They really do not eat breakfast like we do.  They will eat leftovers from the night before..  No real Eggs and bacon or pancakes etc...  The do have a pot-tart like treat they eat be it is not the same.

[micha1]

... in response to My favorite...., posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

Fried eggs and bacon,  any cardiologist will tell you how good it is for the arteries.
In the morning he should eat a big meal, it is for ourselves.
At noon, eat lighter, it is with for and with our friends.
At night, eat very lightly, mainly soup, it is for our ennemies a big meal at night.
It is a question of metabolism, it does get weaker the farther we go during the day.
But fried eggs, potatoes and bacon in the morning at the corner's greasy spoon, ohlala.  Fast food also.
All europeans do think, after a visit in North America, that the people are too fat and getting fatter,
Very soon, big will have to be beautiful.
Hormones, antibiotics, grease, biologically modified organism,  along with the McDo, Harvey's, KFC,  etc..
a lot of girls will be playing the line in NFL, soon.

[Rags]

... in response to My favorite...., posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

There's nothing like a porkchop fried with cantalope over spagetti noodles and a beer to replace those precious bodily fluids that you lost the night before.

[Ryan]

... in response to Ummm ok.... Here..., posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

They are used to walking everyplace they go.  We here in the U.S. drive.  Maybe why they are thinner..  Well it might help.

They buy their eggs that sit in an open market in the sun of the day.  Yes it is fresher that we have but come on...

Their meat is not of the best choice lots of fat in the pork.  Ok this is not bad... leastr it is not shot up with stuff like we eat...

They have pets (Dog or CAT) and do not really feed them dog or cat food like we know it.. They feed them anything.. Potato's were big when I was visiting...

They are used to not smiling all the time...  They can be hard to read at times...

They do not complain with something is wrong they keep it in.  They feel that their voice means nothing.  My friend drank some bad juice and got real sick.. I mean bad..  I was pissed I would have went to where she purchased it and went nuts on someone... She let it pass..  They ride on trains with bathroom in total disarry I would say something to someone I mean that is gross and someone can get sick...  Again they feel they have no voice.

They do not trust banks and know little about investing.  I feel they really have no concept like we do of how to make your money work for you...  

Can I stop yet?

RYan

[BubbaGump]

... in response to No I'm not done...., posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

They eat very little meat and that keeps their weight down.  Meat has more calories and it's more filling.  The women in Europe walk everywhere but they don't seem athletic even when they're young.  They go for that thin model look.  I notice young American women play a lot more sports than 25 years ago and they are very strong and athletic.  

We are aging as a population in the US, so our weight is going up with age and we do work longer now.  Walking a couple of miles a day does help keep the weight off.

[mdante99]

... in response to No I'm not done...., posted by Ryan on Dec 19, 2001

I agree with almost all Ryan has said.

Mark