Avatar that is not appropriate

[Victoria]

And if she's a Ru$$ian woman, you may as well hand over your bank account and credit cards at the beginning, save you a lot of heartache!

Wow, and here I always thought I was half-English, half-German!

(A very small minority of Russian women are thankfully not like this, wanna search for a needle in a haystack?)

If you starve people of Capitalism for 70 years, this is what happens. Now Russians are amongst the most money-hungry, and ironically, religious people in Europe. HAH-BLOODY-HAH.

P.S.: Still love my Poljot watches, though.

[Pugwash]

This whole "work friendly" thing... to me (disclaimer), is asinine.

Here's a crazy thought. You're at work to.....oh, I don't know....WORK. Get something done. Earn the pay.

Here's a crazy thought ... you're not my boss. Don't tell me how to do my job, not that I have one right now as I was sacked for trawling rep forums with [censored] on them all day.

Seriously, if avatars make this place less visited, for whatever reason, isn't it common courtesy to follow the rules? It's not as if people are suggesting it may be nice to tone down the avatars, it's actually a forum rule.

We can argue about the rules all day (no porn, yes guns, no real names, etc.) but they're set and de facto accepted when you post. Your freedom of speech and freedom of expression extends right up to your keyboard, but not beyond.

[Pugwash]

And Pug...don't assume.....

Because assumption makes an ass out of me and some guy named umption?

[TwoTone]

"Marriage, just find someone you absolutely hate and buy them a house. Cuts out years of anguish"

[Chronus]

If you starve people of Capitalism for 70 years, this is what happens. Now Russians are amongst the most money-hungry, and ironically, religious people in Europe. HAH-BLOODY-HAH.

That's what I thought... but other countries in the same situation don't have it like this. You get it half-and-half elsewhere, but Ru$$ians are a different level altogether!

Apparently there is a tradition in Russia that the man pays for everything for the woman. Now when they see a Westerner, multiply by big number how much they expect you to spend on them. Russian men know how Russian women are and so don't get fleeced as much, but they still do. A guy I know had one beautiful girlfriend start stealing money out of his wallet when he realised how futile it was and stopped spending money on her!

[manuel]

you should have visited the old rwg forum..a year ago..that was insane

I had to quit visiting rwg in the office because of that.

[ryyannon]

edit/delete

Nah, you didn't see what you just saw.

Move on, folks - nothing to see here....

[Victoria]

That's what I thought... but other countries in the same situation don't have it like this. You get it half-and-half elsewhere, but Ru$$ians are a different level altogether!

From what I've seen, that is VERY true.

Apparently there is a tradition in Russia that the man pays for everything for the woman. Now when they see a Westerner, multiply by big number how much they expect you to spend on them. Russian men know how Russian women are and so don't get fleeced as much, but they still do. A guy I know had one beautiful girlfriend start stealing money out of his wallet when he realised how futile it was and stopped spending money on her!

Heh, wow. Well, what you say conflicts a bit with their recent history.

Every Russian (in the entire sense of Old Russia) woman was expected to work, hold a job, contribute to the family finances. Many times she had a higher-paying or ranking job than her hubby, and was expected to do all the household duties in their entirety, as well.

The wonderful book by Hedrick Smith, "The Russians", shows one example of this, when Russian women were astonished that Mrs. Smith didn't have to work in Moscow. They were jealous she stayed at home all day, taking care of their kids.

In old Tsarist Russia, the custom of rich women, including "Kulak" peasant women, marrying men who were poorer than they was quite common. The men even adopted or incorporated their wives' family names when they were from uneven backgrounds. Not unheard of in other parts, but it was taken as a matter-of-course in Russia.

Russian women also have the reputation of being incredibly sweet, maternal, and non-challenging. But they were bombarded with visuals after the fall of Communism -- much more than other Soviet-bloc countries, because of their special isolation.

Is it a wonder they all want to be Paris Hilton, I mean...Xenia Sobchak?

EDIT: One more thing -- the newly-minted Russian millionaires are concerned their daughters will not be accepted into European and American high society because of this consumerism trait. Back in the 1990s, when these Courses were dying, girls were not sent to finishing schools ("charm schools" in American usage) any more. But there is a meteoric rise of them, especially in Switzerland, filled with Russian "oligarch"-type daughters.

Do you know what they do all day? Sometimes teach them deportment, such as how to make conversation, carry oneself, and conduct oneself in society. But after this, they let them have free time. From what a friend tells me, who briefly worked in one Swiss finishing school, all the Russian girls did was shop. And shop. And shop some more.

It's a big problem.

[elwopo]

Do Russian girls have avatars that are not appropriate?

Oops! That's my bad. I confused the topic with the posts. Darn those years in the 80's! Too much dain bramage.

Since we're there (wherever that may be) already.....I don't think it's Russians who exclusively have the "gash for cash" mentality. I believe that may be a mindset that crosses all cultures.....because it works for 'em.

We're enablers because it's not always clear which head is doing the thinking.

[Chronus]

From what I've seen, that is VERY true.

It's sad, but that's what I have also seen.

A bad example, but look at Anna Kournikova being a poor tennis player but happy to take the money and make the money off her looks (ok, models do this too, but there are lots more better looking girls, she just got famous for being a good-looking girl in tennis).

Heh, wow. Well, what you say conflicts a bit with their recent history.

Every Russian (in the entire sense of Old Russia) woman was expected to work, hold a job, contribute to the family finances. Many times she had a higher-paying or ranking job than her hubby, and was expected to do all the household duties in their entirety, as well.

The wonderful book by Hedrick Smith, "The Russians", shows one example of this, when Russian women were astonished that Mrs. Smith didn't have to work in Moscow. They were jealous she stayed at home all day, taking care of their kids.

In old Tsarist Russia, the custom of rich women, including "Kulak" peasant women, marrying men who were poorer than they was quite common. The men even adopted or incorporated their wives' family names when they were from uneven backgrounds. Not unheard of in other parts, but it was taken as a matter-of-course in Russia.

A bygone age, I fear. Russia has had a history of conflict, backstabbing, coups, cynical machinations etc. I guess not much has changed

Russian women also have the reputation of being incredibly sweet, maternal, and non-challenging. But they were bombarded with visuals after the fall of Communism -- much more than other Soviet-bloc countries, because of their special isolation.

Is it a wonder they all want to be Paris Hilton, I mean...Xenia Sobchak?

Maybe they were before, but now it's more cold and calculating. They size up a guy and see how much they can make out of him for nothing. And too many have no idea of planning for the future and live in the here-and-now; probably a result of their country's ever-changing turbulent history - you never know if you'll still be around next year, or dead or in a gulag!

EDIT: One more thing -- the newly-minted Russian millionaires are concerned their daughters will not be accepted into European and American high society because of this consumerism trait. Back in the 1990s, when these Courses were dying, girls were not sent to finishing schools ("charm schools" in American usage) any more. But there is a meteoric rise of them, especially in Switzerland, filled with Russian "oligarch"-type daughters.

Do you know what they do all day? Sometimes teach them deportment, such as how to make conversation, carry oneself, and conduct oneself in society. But after this, they let them have free time. From what a friend tells me, who briefly worked in one Swiss finishing school, all the Russian girls did was shop. And shop. And shop some more.

It's a big problem.

A friend of mine from Armenia has changed since she came here. Not speaking the language, it was easy for her to fall in with the Russian crowd as she speaks the language. Over time you can see how her mindset has changed and it's all about labels or how much something costs. It has to be the most expensive drink in a club or bar (her favourite drink is champagne...) She has a Vauxhall car that she parks a few train stop rides away so they won't see it! It's nuts! When they go out, it's some members club where the guys will buy them all champagne etc and you would get nothing in return. Oh and the Ru$$ian girls she knows all live in Central London, no doubt paid for by daddy...

This girl gave me a lift from the laser eye clinic after I'd had my eye done. I'd never thought she'd even agree to that, as everyone else was unavailable, and I was going to get a cab. I found out a long time later, a bunch of my friends got money together and she said she'd do it in return for this "cab fare" ... I still can't believe it. Especially when she brings it up as a favour she's done me...

And now my friend expects guys (even "just friends") to pay for her if they go anywhere. I've always refused that and she calls me tight Maybe I am, but I'm also poor

And finally, why do Ru$$ian women age so much? One day you could be waking up next to a woman with the face of Ronald Koeman (for those that know him) !

Give me a sweet Canadian girl anyday, but I'm biased, that was where my ex was from

Edited September 14, 2007 by Chronus

[Victoria]

It's sad, but that's what I have also seen.

A bad example, but look at Anna Kournikova being a poor tennis player but happy to take the money and make the money off her looks (ok, models do this too, but there are lots more better looking girls, she just got famous for being a good-looking girl in tennis).

I like Anna Kournikova!

...helps that when I was a sports photog intern, I used to photograph her at the Lipton/Ericsson/Nasdaq-100 in Key Biscayne, and she was very nice. I was very very slim then, but she was half me! Very worrisome.

A bygone age, I fear. Russia has had a history of conflict, backstabbing, coups, cynical machinations etc. I guess not much has changed

Sadly.

Maybe they were before, but now it's more cold and calculating. They size up a guy and see how much they can make out of him for nothing. And too many have no idea of planning for the future and live in the here-and-now; probably a result of their country's ever-changing turbulent history - you never know if you'll still be around next year, or dead or in a gulag!

Exactly the case, I fear. I think many Russians realise that they may well be living in a "window" of time where these goodies are possible. Although when you let the genie of consumerism out, it's really hard to put back in...

Remember all those stories of Russians offering foreigners 500 U$ for their jeans, at the height of the Cold War? It was true. My parents lived it.

A friend of mine from Armenia has changed since she came here. Not speaking the language, it was easy for her to fall in with the Russian crowd as she speaks the language. Over time you can see how her mindset has changed and it's all about labels or how much something costs. It has to be the most expensive drink in a club or bar (her favourite drink is champagne...)

Group-think is awful, even if for foreigners out of their element, it's understandable.

I grew up with "Sloanes" and the green wellie crowd in the UK. What foreigners see is that set's love of the good life, and being able to afford all that; consequently, they merely digest the "money" part -- not the heritage part.

It's the heritage, and that natural British restraint that will take some time for them to acquire. Hopefully, one day.

She has a Vauxhall car that she parks a few train stop rides away so they won't see it! It's nuts! When they go out, it's some members club where the guys will buy them all champagne etc and you would get nothing in return. Oh and the Ru$$ian girls she knows all live in Central London, no doubt paid for by daddy...

I can't talk about anything being paid for daddy.

But having said that, it's better than being suppported by taxes from strangers. If you can take care of your own, you should. That's why you made the money in the first place, IMHO.

This girl gave me a lift from the laser eye clinic after I'd had my eye done. I'd never thought she'd even agree to that, as everyone else was unavailable, and I was going to get a cab. I found out a long time later, a bunch of my friends got money together and she said she'd do it in return for this "cab fare" ... I still can't believe it. Especially when she brings it up as a favour she's done me...

GASP.

That's horrifying. I'm so sorry, Chronus!

I know it may not seem like much to some, but this is a complete lack of innate goodness which she has transformed her values system into the highest bidder. It's one thing to trade your time or skill for payment. That's called a job.

But not friends, or alleged friends. That's wrong...

Small anecdote, as these last posts become ever more OT:

One Cuban-American boyfriend's family arrived in 1962 in Miami. Not a penny to their names, and no English. In time, they became restauranteurs, and extremely well-regarded in the community. When the Cold War ended, Cubans started hitting to the seas again in rafts, and there came his cousin on a raft -- who of course, they immediately put to work in their restaurant. He was a waiter, but they had plans for him to run one restaurant or two, one day, naturally.

Until one Christmas, when my then boyfriend gave him a pair of custom-tailored Italian shoes, especially bought for him in Rome.

A few months later, when he noticed his cousin was no longer wearing it, he inquired about them, jokingly.

"Oh, I sold that to Fulanito for $200."

"What? You're kidding. They were 10x that much and I gave it to you as a Christmas present!"

"So, they were a present weren't they? I can do whatever I want with it, so don't bust my balls about it!"

Somewhere along the line, his value system had been corrupted, because that's what you do to survive in Cuba today. You sell anything and everything, including yourself.

Eventually, he was caught stealing money from his relatives. I don't know what happened because we broke up...

And now my friend expects guys (even "just friends") to pay for her if they go anywhere. I've always refused that and she calls me tight Maybe I am, but I'm also poor

We can be poor together.

We might have better watches than she does, at that!

And finally, why do Ru$$ian women age so much? One day you could be waking up next to a woman with the face of Ronald Koeman (for those that know him) !

Because life is hard for them, and possibly they might have bad genes to begin with. *g*

Seriously, my grandmother always told me to never get emotional about a boy, until I had met his parents. "You'll see what he'll turn into twenty years hence." She was always right, my Omi.

Give me a sweet Canadian girl anyday, but I'm biased, that was where my ex was from

Being with a Canadian guy right now, I can totally relate. They're so sweet, it's heart-melting.

[Guest shura110]

Yap yap yap. What I can tell you that the Russian girls are the best!! At least they can dress...

Edited September 14, 2007 by shura110

[Victoria]

Yap yap yap. What I can tell you that the Russian girls are the best!! At least they can dress...

Hey Aleksandra.

@Shura: Yes. ...but most of my male Russian friends choose Sasha, over Shura! I was really hoping you were a girl too, because I've often seen you "around" on RWG, without posting. Ah well. Still me and Rima.

[Guest shura110]

Victoria,

Actually this name can be for a guy as well as for a girl in Russia

[Chronus]

Yap yap yap. What I can tell you that the Russian girls are the best!! At least they can dress...

What are they the best at?

Even at the world's oldest profession, I've heard they cheat you (and no, I've never paid, not even for a lap dance at a strip club!)... either by taking your money or laying there like a log.

I guess they go to prove that there is more to a person than outer looks... the ideal (stating the obvious) is someone who is beautiful inside and out. Rarer than a $500 HBB with ceramic bezel

[Chronus]

Being with a Canadian guy right now, I can totally relate. They're so sweet, it's heart-melting.

Well I have always found Canadian easy going and less judgmental than some Americans can be (flame suit on). Mostly I've met nice people from there.

Of course with a relationship breaking down things go bad, but that was temporary.

Another friend of mine out there in mid-west Canada liked one of those "spinner" watches so I got her one for $20 and she was shocked I spent so much on her! She knew how much it cost, but still, you can buy a gift for a friend, especially if it is not expect.... And there's a lot more appreciation there...