My trip to Odessa is all arranged! ;-)

[BarryM]

... in response to Yeah, posted by Ramblin on Jan 16, 2002

What if that dress cost $2000 ?

Wouldn't it be better if he allowed her to buy 10 $200 dresses?

Would it be better to take a $10,000 romantic vacation every 2 years or to take $200 romantic day trips or other romantic activities every other weekend ?

It's relative.

-blm

[Ramblin]

... in response to Re: But..., posted by BarryM on Jan 16, 2002

MaYbe you know this but women score things differently than men, one good deed is one point for a woman, wheras for a man it is relative on how big of a deed it was.  Buying a lady a $2,000 dress or trip still only gets you one point in her mind even though it scores big in a man's mind.  So, yes, 10 dresses at $200 would give you 10 points and so you would be 10 times better off.  This is from Dr. Grey's Men are from Mars, women are from Venus book.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to "generous", posted by KenC on Jan 15, 2002

It doesn't matter what word they use: Well-Off, Generous, Financial stable, prosperous... it's all the same thing.

And I think it's honest. It would be like me saying I want a sexy wife. Of course I do. Do I mention that in my profile... nope... makes me sound shallow...

Interestingly enough... once I was dating a very attractive lady who was quite something. She was from Argentina originally, spoke three languages, and was a year away from her Phd.

Very attractive... very bright.

Anyway... once we were discussing some bad service we got, and I mentioned that I was so upset I tipped lower than usual. And she said: "Yes, I noticed. It was only about 10%, and you usually tip 20."

I was stunned. "How did you know I usually tip 20%?"

"I looked," she said. "I always look. If a man stiffs a waitress, it tells you a lot about him."

I really don't have a problem with it...

[BarryM]

... in response to Russia AIN'T the USA..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002

Ya know, a $30 meal for two in Moscow should be enough. It should compare to at least a $60 meal for two here in the states.

I consider it to be a waste of money to spend it on an expensive meal with a date who is probably a gamble in the first place. If I'm judged by them because I refuse to spend the equivalence of their months salary for a meal on them then I don't want to have anything to do with them. I would consider them frivolous and vain.

-blm

[WmGo]

... in response to Too expensive..., posted by BarryM on Jan 15, 2002

Barry,

Moscow is not a cheap place to dine out - especially if you don't know the right places. I have been there twice. It is easy to spend $100 or more on dinner for two there. But if you know the right places, you can get a four course meal for two for $15.

Spending a few hours in a restaraunt is a good way to get to know someone. To the perceptive eye it is quite revealing. The really best women, the ones that are true ladies, will want you to order for them. They will not expect the most expensive item on the menu. They will not order alchoholic beverages other than perhaps a glass of wine (nighttime only). Watch how they treat the waiter or waitress. Do they always focus all attention on you, or do their eyes constantly wander? There are many other things to observe and draw conclusions from over a meal - here or there.

Moscow is balshoi.

Regards,

WmGO

[BarryM]

... in response to Test time, posted by WmGo on Jan 16, 2002

I'm going to work on finding out some "dining out" guides for FSU cities if they exist. I prefer to a dinner date and I see your reasoning in that.

Thanks

-blm

[KenC]

... in response to Too expensive..., posted by BarryM on Jan 15, 2002

Barry,
First of all Moscow aint cheap.  Think NY City prices.  Secondly, it all depends on the circumstances.  If the woman traveled to see you, you owe her at least a dinner.  Think about what the woman had to spend (money & effort) to make your aquaintance.  I think that is what Stevo is trying to say.  Your obligation should be matching.  Your response not only sounds cheap, but thoughtless as well.
KenC

[BarryM]

... in response to Re: Too expensive..., posted by KenC on Jan 15, 2002

on the situation. You're right in the fact that if they have to spend time and money for travel, say, from out of town, then I would feel obliged to entertain them in a more than matching way for a least a day.

If all they have to do is take the metro from their flat to a restaurant, then no, I don't feel it's necessary to spend lavishly on a meal.

I don't mean to sound thoughtless, just practical and down-to-earth. I guess I need to do some research on restaurants in various parts of the FSU and gather information such as prices, location, atmosphere, etc. before I make my judgements. If $75 is the norm, then I guess I'll have to step up to the table and lay my money down... so to speak.

-blm

[Stevo]

... in response to Too expensive..., posted by BarryM on Jan 15, 2002

ggg

[BarryM]

... in response to You miss the point entirely...it's about..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002

I know that I can get a very nice meal for two in the Houston area at a medium priced restaurant for around $60.

Since I don't drink coffee, I guess I won't have to worry about paying $15 a cup in the FSU. I'll settle for an inexpensive cup of chai.

-blm

[Stevo]

... in response to Re: Hmm... I don't know, but..., posted by BarryM on Jan 15, 2002

you couldn't get a decent meal for two in Moscow for $60, or even less (or that you should need to).  My point was that you should feed the lady, not just buy her a cup of coffee or tea as TheSearch suggested would be appropriate here in the USA.  That's fine for here when first meeting a lady, but over there it is just plain rude.  It isn't about how much you spend for the meal...it's whether you buy her a meal at all.

Stevo

[WmGo]

... in response to I never suggested that..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002

I generally agree. It depends on the circumstances.

If the man has corresponded with the lady before the meeting, taking her to lunch or dinner is appropriate - and I think a man would be very strange, as well as a sorry cheapskate (sp?), if he did not. This is a dating situation after all. Getting to know each other while sightseeing and eating is what it is all about - here or there.

If the man simply goes over, goes to an agency, looks at some photo albums, and pays the agency to set up a meeting with a woman he has never written to or spoken with, it is entirely appropriate that the first meeting be a short one over coffee or tea and cake. If the woman automatically expects an expensive meal, it would be a red flag. Here is a good testing opportunity. Does this lady - or the one you have been corresponding with, take you straight to the most expensive restaraunt in town? I have had women do this. And then there is the real gems - they are not comfortable going to an expensive restaraunt, or really any restaraunt,  and will make sure that if you do eat out it is one of the good food for a bargain (from our perspective) establishments.

If the man travels directly to the lady's home town, as opposed to meeting the lady in a major hub city, expect her and her momma to have a BIG meal prepared for *you* upon your arrival - at momma's house of course, which is of course where the lady also resides.

My two kopecs.

WmGO

[BarryM]

... in response to It depends, posted by WmGo on Jan 16, 2002

Especially about the women taking you to the most lavish restaurant in town.

Êîíå÷íî íåò!

I'd prefer to pick the restaurant in that case... that is if the lady hasn't decided to take a hike.
It is good to discuss proper etiquette and protocols concerning meeting and dating RW/UW.

-blm

[BarryM]

... in response to I never suggested that..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002

I guess I need to do some research on dining out in the FSU.
Of course I would treat a nice lady to a fine meal. I'd enjoy it as much as she. Personally, I don't to do the coffee bar thing... I prefer a dinner date.

Thanks, Stevo, for the clarification.

-blm

[KenC]

... in response to Russia AIN'T the USA..., posted by Stevo on Jan 15, 2002

n/t