Feeding Frenzy . . .

[Dan]

Kind of unbelievable.

* Frank makes a simple comment that his lady-friend told him she had worked as a "model" - if only briefly.
* Stevo makes the suggestion that if a person even whispers the word "model" it is to be translated as "prostitute" - and then the feeding frenzy follows.

Good grief guys - no-one (besides Frank) knows Frank's lady - do they (you)

As KenC points out, many girls in Ukraine (and presumably Russia) have been invited to take some photos and to see if they might be interested in a modeling career.

How do I know?? Well, during one of my trips, I met a guy that owns a modelling agency - and it is truly modelling - NOT a front for prostitution. Since then, I have had dealings with another company that also runs a legitimate modeling agency. It is not uncommon at all for these folks to see a beautiful young lady on the street and offer an invitation to make a few photos of them. Occasionally, this leads to some modest amount of paying work - AS A MODEL.

Is it true what Stevo said that 'model = prostitute'?? Well, I am sure that some can find a few instances of that being true - JUST AS YOU COULD FIND THAT HERE IN AMERICA. But it is FAR from a universal truth. To follow Stevo's comments to their logical extreme - any woman from the FSU that has ever, or will ever, list the occupation (or hobby) of 'model' is simply a prostitute. Does anyone actually believe that?!?

To subject Frank to the sorts of accusations and scrutiny based on such wild assumptions and driving him to defend his lifestyle and some of his past experiences was, IMO, absolutely ridiculous.

Frank - take the inputs for what they are worth - and in this case, they aren't worth all that much (again, IMO).

- Dan

[Frank O]

... in response to Feeding Frenzy . . ., posted by Dan on Oct 6, 2002

LOL!!!! Hey guys I'm still here & I aint mad either. I think I'm pretty level headed & have kept my cool fairy well. Like I said I'm prepared for the worst but hoping for the best. I don't expect to have a bed of roses waiting for me. 1.) I've written her going on a year so we "know" each other fairly well about as well as you can through correspondence 2.) we speak weekly as well 3.) She doesn't ask for money 4.) when a guy I know went over there & got ditched by his girl he contacted VEGA to ask MY girl out she turned him down (YES!) so that's a good sign. By the way I DID NOT know the guy then small world I met him through a friend of mine who translated for him long story. 5.) she doesn't tell me she loves me or can't live without me which to me is very realistc on her part but does care for me. 6.) we will be meeting & finding out if there is chemistry in person. We BOTH realize that as smooth as it might appear things might NOT work out regardless so we are BOTH prepared for whatever happens. I think considering my lack of experience compared to some here I've handles THIS situation about as well as I could have. Perhaps if I had known about this board a year ago things would be different but I guess I am doing ok. If things don't work I will head back to Kiev & go to Jack & see what I can do there. At that point I doubt I will meet someone to get what I hoped. Maybe then I'll pick up some Ukranianin prostitues at the Lybid Hotel (sarcasm meant!).

[MarkInTx]

... in response to I feel like I just gave birth.., posted by Frank O on Oct 6, 2002

... except the agency making you use their hotel and their interpreter...

Doesn't mean its a bad thing. Might just mean that they want a little more profit, which, if things DO work out for you, isn't a big deal...

It's just so many times, I have read stories about agencies that took such an exclusive attitude -- and it wasn't good.

Don't get me wrong... I'm routing for you. I hope everything goes great for you...

[Mark H]

... in response to I feel like I just gave birth.., posted by Frank O on Oct 6, 2002

Frank,
Don't let any of this crap take away from your positive attitude. You'd be better off on your own. Is there a chance to meet other girls with the agency you are using for the flat?

Mark H

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: I feel like I just gave birth.., posted by Mark H on Oct 6, 2002

but honestly I haven't seen any that perked my interest. The one that DID I saw listed on a scammer list so so much for that! LOL!!! However like I said I'm positive, if not that agency. If not maybe my buddy can set me up ith a girl from the university where I'll be making my presentation at. Anyways I'm going to have a good time. I don't think Ukraine will be any different from Mexico in terms of finding girls. Not that I'm good looking but perhaps the long hair & leather will work in Urkaine as well as in Mexico.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Feeding Frenzy . . ., posted by Dan on Oct 6, 2002

[This message has been edited by MarkInTx]

I'm not so sure.

Stevo merely reported what a Russian Lady told him.

And I think the thing that drew the firestorm was when Frank said: "I don't think that would bother me."

THAT will draw fire every time. I don't think he meant it that way, but it SURE sounded that way in his post.

And then add the rest:

Frank has no experience in this yet...  she is with an agency that insists that he use their apartment, and their interpreter, and charges him an agency fee of $100 a week on top of that...

And it doesn't sound good, Dan. You gotta admit.

Is she sincere? Maybe. She could be.

But there are warning signs a plenty, and the guys are simply responding to that.

No one is calling his lady a whore. Not that I heard. Most guys are simply telling him to be more careful (than he seems to be).

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: Feeding Frenzy . . ., posted by MarkInTx on Oct 6, 2002

Whoa! Where did THAT come from! I wouldn't be writing her believe me for $400 per month. Don't worry about the posts, I have pretty thick hide but for being new here I sure didn't expect that. Especially talking about stuff I did as a teen. Heck good thing I didn't mention anything about my spring break escapades! LOL!!!

[MarkInTx]

... in response to I don't pay $100 per week!!!!! , posted by Frank O on Oct 6, 2002

Maybe I misread... but didn't you say in an earlier post that:

A) The agency insisted that you use their apartment
B) They insisted that you use their interpreter
C) You were to pay them $200 for the two weeks you were there ($200 / 2 weeks = $100 per week -- that's where I came up with that... Did I misunderstand your post?)

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: I don't pay $100 per week!!!!! , posted by MarkInTx on Oct 6, 2002

Yes you're right. I thought you meant I was paying $100 per week to correspond!!!  Yes they are charging me $200 for the apt but as for translator I have a friend doing that already. I didn't tell them that. I actually did NOT tell them a lot about me as I plan on having my own agenda. Oh well I'll see what happens when I arrive. they want a piece of the pie in EVERYTHING I do over there. They need to wake up

[Oscar]

... in response to Re: Re: I don't pay $100 per week!!!!! , posted by Frank O on Oct 7, 2002

Only problem is Frank, that once you are "there", they can very easily pull the rug out from under you..  Do not underestimate the lengths some agencies will go to in order to keep things going their way, including poisoning your relationship with a woman of theirs if they feel like it!  As I posted, I had an "agency" tell me that if things worked out with their girl, of course I wouldn't mind paying $2000 or $3000 for it?  When I said forget it, the girl magically vanished...  It happens all the time..

[Mark H]

... in response to Re: Re: I don't pay $100 per week!!!!! , posted by Frank O on Oct 7, 2002

Frank,
$200 bucks for 2 weeks in an apartment is a great price. If you utilized the "friendly" services pimped on this board all the time, you'd be paying $50 - $90 a night. I always set my apartments up through my girls. In the future, you may want to do that also. I paid roughly $90 a week for a nice apartment.

Many of the girls have friends who would love to rent out their apartment for a week or two and make some extra cash. That's why I advocate the meeting one girl approach. Take all the slimy sleezy agency owners out of it, keep your money in your pocket and in the pockets of friends of your girl. You're doing fine, can't wait to hear your stories when you return.

ONE OTHER THING The girls most always look better in person than on film. Not always, but most of the time. You'll be surprised. My point is, meet some of the other girls if you need to, perhaps there are some diamonds in the rough. Sounds like your best bet is going to be your friend at the University. You're hooked up.

Mark H.

[Pordzhik]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: I don't pay $100 per week!!!..., posted by Mark H on Oct 7, 2002

but if you really must have a superduper de-lux on Kreshaktik in Kiev it won't happen at those prices. I found a real nice studio in Darnitsa (short tube ride from centre of Kiev) for 15USD per night.

[Frank O]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: I don't pay $100 per week!!!..., posted by Mark H on Oct 7, 2002

I did ask Marina that about the apartment. I asked if I could actually room with afriend of hers' (male) & pay HIM to stay. I figured they couldn't pass up. Then she said that SHE would get me an apt it would run ABOUT $200 that it was one of the few things she could do for me. Then she said for me NOT to try to do it through the internet because I would get screwed as they would charge me more for being an American. I appreciated that! All of a sudden I get a letter from the agency stating they have my apartment ready?! Oh well.
As for the ladies looking better in person. I've heard that. The thing is seriously if my Marina looks BETTER in person I'm in for a some serious hormone control! LOL! But I know what you mean. There is this one girl from Mexico whom I have seen for a while (however she is not marriage minded) & she is drop dead gorgeous. She would give ANY Russian a run for her money. Actually if SHE would marry me I wouldn't be going to Ukraine. Anyways ...she doesn't photgraph well! I could never understand but oh well. So I guess the flip can happen as well. I think I've done about as good as I can. I also noticed the same about "cheap" apartments. Some were like $60 a night?! Heck I might as well stay at a hotel.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: I don't pay $100 per wee..., posted by Frank O on Oct 7, 2002

You shouldn't be paying $60 a night for the time of year you are going.

November, right?

That is off season. You should be able to get a nice flat for $35 a night then... pretty easily.

I paid $35 a night for a flat in downtown Kiev last month.

But -- for Kiev -- you're just talking one night, right? I mean, you're planning on flying in and out the next day to go to Lugansk? For one day, I'd probably do a hotel, too. It makes getting the Visa a little more straight-forward, too.

So, in your case, I probably would do a hotel. Especially if I didn't have a girl meeting me there.

If I did, I would definitely get a flat. Some hotels won't even let you take a girl to your room. And many women won't do it, because it would be assumed that she was a prostitute if anyone saw her. So that makes a diference...

[Frank O]

... in response to $60? Shouldn't be..., posted by MarkInTx on Oct 7, 2002

I'm going to Luhansk as soon as I arrive in Kiev (well 3 hrs later I think) but me & Marina are planning a trip to Kiev during one of the weekends. So far no comment from her about staying together in a negative sense. I don't know I'll deal with when I get there. But $35 sounds reall good I tell you that. Any suggestions for a flat?