FSU women are programmed quite differently, and this is both good and bad. They come from a culture of survival. It is not uncommon for the most respectable of women to have provided sexual favours at some time or another. If you've seen the poorer towns in Russia, you might say that it's nearly excusable. After all, their bodies are usually their most valuable of possessions.

Many Russian women come with credentials such as degrees and doctorates. Yet it's well known in Russia that an attractive woman rarely has to be studious in university. She only needs to “please” her professors. If that seems ridiculous, I'm sorry, but it's absolutely true. I have been to Russia numerous times in search of my own holy grail, so I've come to understand this. Confirmation is usually available from Russian or Ukrainian expatriates in North America who have immigrated here in recent years.

A Russian woman may be quick to avow her love for you, but you should realize that she often comes into the relationship with a preconceived notion that you are a rich Westerner. "Rich" is my word, but don't kid yourself; the moment you set foot on Russian soil, the view many people have is that you come from a typical Western life of wealth and licentiousness. Remember that these people have the worst of all influences: Bay Watch, Terminator II, porn movies, and yes, propaganda from their governments. Many Russians really don't understand that we are not all screwing in back seats of expensive cars, snorting cocaine, or lounging around by our backyard swimming pools under sunny skies. Some who immigrate to North America express their surprise at how reserved we are. It’s no wonder.

A note about the reputation of Russian women for their physical beauty: Generally speaking, they're often no more beautiful than North American women, and maybe even less, since they lack our ethnic diversity. But for a RW, projecting her beauty holds huge priority. Thus makeup and nice clothing are expected on her shopping list —— even more if she becomes Westernized. In her culture, these accoutrements are a sign of her class, directly resulting from a corrupt system where only people with governmental ties had nice clothes. Today In Russia many women have little food in their homes, but they wouldn't dream of stepping out on the street unless they're dressed to the nines. Go figure it. Many would never consider owning running shoes. A beautiful fur or leather coat, however, means everything, and many women own at least one such garment.

When a woman says she has traveled, be wary. Often young women travel to outlying countries where visas are not a problem and they can earn money in prostitution in what must seem like a fairly exciting life. This is especially common with the more beautiful ones, so be careful. Also many porn models are Russians. I know a man in California who discovered his fiancée on a porn site in a compromising position with three men. I don't know about you, but I don't want a woman who's had 500 different lovers. For corroboration on these topics, there are many web sites, but for starters, try www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/natasha.htm. [Note: See Also The Good, The Bad & The Ugly]

I want to mention age: Thousands of Western men, middle-aged or older, look to foreign countries after unhappy experiences with Western women. Unfortunately many pursue young Russian women because they believe that they are underprivileged and will settle for something less than a shining prince. And sometimes, too, they think a Russian woman will be both beautiful and subservient. These ideas almost guarantee failure. Romance web sites can be incredibly inaccurate in their depiction of Russian women. Be warned. Many marriages are founded on misconceptions, usually with tragic consequences. Disrupted marriages are highly acceptable in Russian culture, and commitment means little to a woman who has figured out that it’s time to make a move. When a RW dumps her American man in favour of someone more her age, more wealthy, more handsome, or more lively, it’s often been premeditated since before the marriage.

It's also typical for a Russian woman to feel that the only reason you ever wanted her was that you couldn't get anyone better in your homeland -- or anyone at all. Not a healthy situation! When a woman’s bio states that she likes a cozy home life, it’s her way of saying that she’d prefer never to work again. Remember that for years she’s probably been dreaming about a new and wonderful life with a wealthy Westerner. On the other hand, you might want a stay-at-home wife. Most Russian women are incredibly proud and don’t like the notion that they’ve merely become someone’s housekeeper. Few of them cook as well as Western women because they've never had opportunities to experiment with foods beyond the most basic.

After having said all of that, I want to state that I'm not a cynic. I found the most wonderful woman in a small Russian town. I first met dozens and dozens of supposedly sincere Russian women, and then I met one gem. So I suggest staying away from big cities and towns near the cities. Women there are far more cosmopolitan than you think, and little will impress them except the colour of your money or a smutty rap artist they might have seen on MTV. Use common sense and be realistic in your expectations. If you are willing to take a woman who is less than a goddess in her looks, maybe has a well-behaved child, is happy to show you off to her friends and family, and who proves that she’s honest in every way, then chances are pretty good that you've found a winner who will appreciate the new life you are giving her. I also hope that you will be decent enough to give that woman what she deserves in the bargain.