Why Russian women are so much more popular than Colombian women?

[Traveler]

I noticed when doing an internet search for mail order brides, international dating, etc. that virtually all the links that come up are for Russian and Ukrainian women. 

I strongly prefer Latin women myself, and I would guess that guys on this board do as well, but do you think that the fact that there are (it seems) a lot more Russian women agencies is due to greater supply, or greater demand?  Do you guys think that the majority of men interested in international dating generally prefer Russian women to Latin women?

The reason being is that a Colombian friend of mine was considering starting a marriage agency in Colombia, but I am not sure now that there is much demand for such a service.

[CROW]

I noticed when doing an internet search for mail order brides, international dating, etc. that virtually all the links that come up are for Russian and Ukrainian women. 

I strongly prefer Latin women myself, and I would guess that guys on this board do as well, but do you think that the fact that there are (it seems) a lot more Russian women agencies is due to greater supply, or greater demand?  Do you guys think that the majority of men interested in international dating generally prefer Russian women to Latin women?

The reason being is that a Colombian friend of mine was considering starting a marriage agency in Colombia, but I am not sure now that there is much demand for such a service.

The traditional marriage agency is a dying business model IMHO. There are just so many ways to meet women online now a days.

Colombianas are very social and easy to meet online which has killed the marriage agency scene here in Colombia.

[Jeff S]

Well, maybe Russian marriage agencies are more popular, but I guarantee you there are more American/Latina marriages than American/FSU. It's closer, less language barriers, more culturally alike. I agree with crow, tho - it's a dying business with better and better internet speed, social networking, web-cams and so on.

[Gato4Astrid]

In General

Latin women expect you to learn Spanish
Russian women do not expect you to learn Russian.  They are more willingly to learn your language than the Latin women

[william3rd]

There isnt that much demand in Russia any more. Most of the sites advertise Russian but offer mostly Ukrainian. The economics come into play. As far as the guys, its the white skin

[Traveler]

Well, Russian and Ukrainian is not that different.  Like Spanish and Catalan I guess. 

What I was referring to, is it that most guys specifically prefer white girls from Eastern Europe, or the large number of Russian (or Ukrainian) agencies is due to greater supply?  In my experience, a lot of guys are actually attracted to Latin women, so I was very surprised to see this.  If you try the search on Google yourselves for mail order brides or international dating, you will see what I mean.  So what do you guys think?

Also, my friend wants to do more of a dating site than an actual agency, a hybrid of the two actually the way I understand it.  He is from Bogota originally and wants to go back to live there.

[Jeff S]

No. Many more guys chase Latina women than Russian/ Ukrainian women. Yes some have hang-ups about skin/hair/eye color, but they're in the minority. I'd wager there are the most Latina/American relationships, followed second by Asian/American, and last by far for Eastern European/American relationships. There are just more marriage agencies in Eastern Europe than elsewhere. To answer your question about why Russian Women are more popular than Colombian is that they're not.

[Ray]

OK guys, once again Jeff is absolutely correct.

Using probably the only reliable related statistics, published by the State Dept., here are some figures for the latest year available (FY-08). These are combined totals for spouse and fiancée visas issued for a selection of regions/countries.

You can draw your own conclusions, such as Asians and Mexicans are the hottest commodity going (?)   


Africa……………………8,828
Asia……………………43,146
Europe…………………13,084
South America………….8,430

Russia…………………...1,705
Ukraine………………….1,342
Mexico………………...26,892
Dominican Republic……8,066
Philippines………..…..10,577
Colombia………………2,950
Mainland China………..5,357

[bcc_1_2]

You can draw your own conclusions, such as Asians and Mexicans are the hottest commodity going (?)   


Africa……………………8,828
Asia……………………43,146
Europe…………………13,084
South America………….8,430

Russia…………………...1,705
Ukraine………………….1,342
Mexico………………...26,892
Dominican Republic……8,066
Philippines………..…..10,577
Colombia………………2,950
Mainland China………..5,357

Mexico makes sense due to proximity. This also includes AW as well which is key to keep in mind. I wouldn't be surprised if many men get into this idea of dating outside the US from the Russian agency websites and then later end up switching to a culture that's a better match for them in making a long term relationship work.

William pointed out the obvious... skin color. But after they flush $1000 down the drain on "agency fees" it seems most guys figure out Asian and Latin women are very hot and possibly better long term partners. I'm generalizing of course... but from a cultural stand point I think AM are better off hitting asia or latin america than the FSU.

In terms of website hits and dollar spent I'd suspect the FSU is the most popular part of the world.

[william3rd]

No. Many more guys chase Latina women than Russian/ Ukrainian women. Yes some have hang-ups about skin/hair/eye color, but they're in the minority. I'd wager there are the most Latina/American relationships, followed second by Asian/American, and last by far for Eastern European/American relationships. There are just more marriage agencies in Eastern Europe than elsewhere. To answer your question about why Russian Women are more popular than Colombian is that they're not.

That is now. The Russians were coming over in droves 10-15 years ago. And Russia was a lot bigger then- the CIS. you really need to carve out the fiancee visas. Mexico includes non245i cases where the mojado had to return to the consulate from the US and show hardships to avoid the ten year bar. And arent these also just the USC spousal cases with the fiancee visas? The preference categories add a lot more. No V visas either, I imagine

[Ray]

And arent these also just the USC spousal cases with the fiancee visas?

Yes, those figures are for IR-1, CR-1, and K visas only.

Ray

[Bob_S]

That is now. The Russians were coming over in droves 10-15 years ago. And Russia was a lot bigger then- the CIS.

That's right.  Back in the day, finaceé visas from just Russia were twice what Ray shows just 2 years ago.  Their numbers are going down.

[Henry]

Men are onto the Russo-Ukrainian scam.

[Bob_S]

Men are onto the Russo-Ukrainian scam.

Maybe.  Though I think it has something to do with what FT posted on another topic:

a woman can post what they think are their dreams on craigslist but the fact is that most are just fragile little girls that will take whatever hulk gets them hot and bothered.  It is easy to post that type of bossy ad, but the reality is women won’t usually respect a pushover or a brownose. Ladies that marry men they don’t respect usually have unhappy marriages, which serves them right.   She probably just wants some free suppers, in between dates with the local bad boys.

The same is true of Russian girls.  They may post in their IFA profile that they are tired of Russian guys who get drunk all the time and cheat on them and how they want a good man who will treat them with respect yadda-yadda, but when presented with a man who acts with some degree of chivalry, they generally don't know how to react or appreciate it.  In the end, they only respect those Russian guys no matter how badly they get treated.  As dysfunctional as it may seem, it is familiar territory.  And familiar is comfortable.

In summary, IMHO, white chicks are nuts, no matter where they're from.  And in my experience, with RW, you get all the drama of a Latina but with none of the fun passion.

[william3rd]

Maybe.  Though I think it has something to do with what FT posted on another topic:The same is true of Russian girls.  They may post in their IFA profile that they are tired of Russian guys who get drunk all the time and cheat on them and how they want a good man who will treat them with respect yadda-yadda, but when presented with a man who acts with some degree of chivalry, they generally don't know how to react or appreciate it.  In the end, they only respect those Russian guys no matter how badly they get treated.  As dysfunctional as it may seem, it is familiar territory.  And familiar is comfortable.

Most of that drunken russian guy stuff was agency bool shidski. THere were a few like that but most of the girls were either hunting green cards, hunting security, or hunting american salami.

[Shadow_mas]

It is a numbers game in many aspects.

The number of available Russian and Ukrainian women is larger due to simple demographics. However the number of men that prefer to dream over something unobtainable is also a lot larger.

For Americans, going to Colombia or Mexico is much easier and faster as going to the FSU. As a result the guys who wish to act will probably land there more easy, where as the guys who wish to dream over a picture while giving their cash to some agency will probably see the FSU models.

[CeeTeeEnn]

I think it depends where you go. Here in the UK and in the EU especially, I think Slavic women (my generic albeit technically inaccurate term for all former USSR and Warpac country women) are still more popular than Latinas simply because it's easier to travel to Eastern Europe than Latin America. Also, please correct me if I'm wrong but some Slavic women I have come across prefer to meet guys from Western Europe, most likely for reasons of travel convenience (but possibly for cultural reasons as well.)

One day I did a quick finger-in-the-air survey of the marriage register in an inner city part of London where there is a large Latin community. I was expecting to see some Anglo-Latin "cultural exchange" going on, but was disappointed to see no Spanish surnames next to English ones. I did however notice a few registered marriages where the bride's name ended in -ova or -skaya. Likewise, when walking down any of London's streets it's rare to see a Brit guy with a woman exhibiting obviously latin features. By the same token, it's impossible to avoid seeing Ango-Asian couples; on a crowded street I spot them on average once every 5-10 minutes. The Anglo-slavic couples are much more difficult to spot.

[CeeTeeEnn]

"In General, Latin women expect you to learn Spanish. Russian women do not expect you to learn Russian.  They are more willingly to learn your language than the Latin women"

Oh indeed, Gato. Women from the FSU will gladly learn English, as will most girls from Asia - despite English not sharing a common alphabet with their native languages. But for some strange reason many Latinas being courted by a Westerner would automatically expect him to learn Spanish...

Many Latinas also automatically expect us to appreciate their culture, their music, their dancing, their food etc. But when it comes to meeting Latinas who appreciate Western culture... good luck to you! In fairness, some Latinas are better than others in this regard but most of the Colombianas and Andean girls I have met so far have failed to impress me.

[JimD]

I strongly prefer Latin women myself, and I would guess that guys on this board do as well,

Not really. There are only two or three on this forum interested in latinas. The rest of the posters here come over from the Asian Forum. Either their words of wisdom are so copious that thier own forum just can´t accomodate them or interest in that forum is pretty paltry.

[whitey]

Not really. There are only two or three on this forum interested in latinas. The rest of the posters here come over from the Asian Forum. Either their words of wisdom are so copious that thier own forum just can´t accomodate them or interest in that forum is pretty paltry.

That's a little harsh, Jim.

There's more than a couple guys interested in latinas here.

I for one enjoy hearing the viewpoints and stories from guys from other boards, as well as from the ladies (Braziliangirl and InnocentVixon).  Women are women; men are men.  There are more similarities than differences across the boards.

[utopiacowboy]

That's a little harsh, Jim.

There's more than a couple guys interested in latinas here.

I for one enjoy hearing the viewpoints and stories from guys from other boards, as well as from the ladies (Braziliangirl and InnocentVixon).  Women are women; men are men.  There are more similarities than differences across the boards.

I was surprised to hear that there are only two or three guys here interested in Latinas. For me, the Latina is the ideal woman. Always has been. Always will be.

[fathertime]

  But for some strange reason many Latinas being courted by a Westerner would automatically expect him to learn Spanish...

Many Latinas also automatically expect us to appreciate their culture, their music, their dancing, their food etc. But when it comes to meeting Latinas who appreciate Western culture... good luck to you! In fairness, some Latinas are better than others in this regard but most of the Colombianas and Andean girls I have met so far have failed to impress me.

I guess it is just another thankless type thing that certain men will have to live with.

 In our relationship, I don't know that I 'appreciate' the latin culture all that much.  I mean I love the food my wife cooks but I don't dance or listen to much Colombian music.  I haven't noticed a real desire to convert me either.  I think a man and wife can have some overlapping common areas and then some more 'private' interests which the other spouse is not all that interested in.  I don't try to make my wife like things like baseball, brittany spears, or the beach.  If she likes something that we like that is great, if not then depending on circumstances we go to another option.  I don't understand the complaint CeeTeeEnn, for me,  if a woman appreciates the man,
that is far more important than these little cultural traditions that she might not appreciate right away, but that can change over time. 
Fathertime!

[CeeTeeEnn]

I agree with you, FT, appreciating the man/woman for who they are is far more important than appreciating his culture per se. Moreover, I don't think it's possible to make someone appreciate someone like anything; it is up to that individual person to learn to appreciate a new aspect of life in order to be able to better understand or appreciate their partner (the partner can help with this process of course, but that is all they can do.) However, I still view a foreign woman's enthusiasm and willingness to adapt and assimilate to new cultural norms as a yardstick with which to judge how well they would get along with me, and this attitude has served me well in the past. Attitude and enthusiasm can be gauged abroad to some degree - for example, i still maintain that any woman who signs up to an intro agency, or indeed a foreign dating site, without understanding at least some words of English (and possessing a rudimentary knowledge of the USA, Canada and Europe) has some serious explaining to do.

I posted my views in regard to Gato's comment after recalling a little incident that happened here recently. I submitted a post regarding Latinas who lived here but didn't bother with English as all their friends and relatives spoke Spanish, and I recall leaving my usual negative comments. A few weeks after this, I was in a local bar and caught up with a local Peruana single mom I've known for some time. She invited me to join her table where she and three of her (barrio-class) Colombian friends were having a night out. I joined them and it soon emerged they were all either married to Brits, or were already separated. Shortly into the conversation, one of them remarked that at this table we all speak Spanish and that "I had better conform"; her friends all agreed smugly. I replied - in fluent Spanish - to the effect that in the capital city of the country that bequeathed the English language to the world, I only speak English with people, and that if I am capable of learning Spanish by myself over here then there is *no* excuse for anyone not being able to learn and speak English here in London. Moments later i said my goodbyes and left. This is not the first time I've encountered such attitudes within the Latin community here but I am no longer prepared to put up with them, QED.

[Researcher]

    Hey CeeTeeEnn, you may have passed up an opportunity to improve your Spanish butI can understand your point of view.Sometimes I just want to speak and hear my native language as well.


    Researcher

[z_k_g]

Not really. There are only two or three on this forum interested in latinas. The rest of the posters here come over from the Asian Forum. Either their words of wisdom are so copious that thier own forum just can´t accomodate them or interest in that forum is pretty paltry.

I would agree with that assessment, the Asian Forum does bring copious words of wisdom to the Latin Forum; but..unfortunately...they ring on wooden ears Jim.

If you were an avid reader of the Asian side might discover that many of us members of that paltry and seedy bunch have dated many latinas.  

Personally, I've dated Colombian, Mexican, Venezuelan, Brazilian and Haitian women;

Honestly, I read the posts on this side because like everyone else in the world, I enjoy watching the occasional macabre images of the car accidents, animal road kill and latina train wreck relationships detailed in the Latin Forum.  

You guys are gluttons for punishment; its actually quite amusing and surreal for me because I've experienced it firsthand!!  I shudder at the memories!!

Granted most of my latina experience occurred here in the good US of A so they may not fully qualify, but....I digress.

So, quite the contrary Jim, we are not bored!  We heard thru the grape vine that you guys provide quite an amusing, albeit macabre, show over here so we, being avid fans of full contact "bloody" sports, decided to watch the show!  

As I write this, I got my popcorn and chips at my side, waiting for the next Latina train wreck to start!

Zulu