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ronin1
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Posted: Tuesday February 14th, 2006 05:57 am |
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Russian Woman proof your house…
This is another cultural difference. In Russia things are bought to serve many uses… dual purpose is born out the shortages in the Russian system. This is a part of their pragmatic nature and a way to conserve money. Consequently, Russian Women may take some time to get used to our idea that there are special tools for everything. Sometimes there are things that don’t make sense unless you have spent some serious time in Russia with a RW.
Here is a short list of things that you may want to be aware of:
1) Knife tips maybe dulled, distorted or broken. Russian Women often will use knifes as ad hoc tools for prying open jar lids to chiseling tiles from the wall.
2) Large spoons may mysteriously vanish. Such utensils are perfect for planting soil into pots and bulk ingredients in the pantry.
3) Toilet bowls and kitchen sinks seem to get plugged up more often. In Russia, the drain pipes are like our garbage disposals. Anything that a Russian Woman wants to get rid of that will fit in the drain, that is where it will go. Give detailed instructions on how to dispose of special waste. Sure organic waste goes into the garbage disposal... but after you turn it on and have running water. Also, not all organic waste goes into it (i.e. corn cobs, dried onion skins, artichoke leaves, fruit pits, etc.).
Incidental to this, not all RW believe in the wonder of cream rinses. Something to do with , "if a RW was meant to use cream rinses, she would have been born with them" kind of thinking. Regardless, they will comb their hair often and shed tons of hair that will more than likely go into the bathroom drain line. Of course it will not be alone. It will often be accompanied by cotton pads, dental floss and other terminally used sundry items.
4) In general, durable goods will tend to break before their expected useful life. RW are used to have things that are Russian built (solid as an armored tank and simple as an on/off switch). For everything that has more than an on/off switch, perhaps explain that these items are very fragile and required special instructions to operate. Then proceed to instruct them.
5) House heater ‘on’ with the windows opened. Russian Women are used to having this in Russia. In Russia, they pay a flat fee for heating and gas, so cost is not an issue when it comes to keeping their flat warm. They can keep the house warm and air it out at the same time. However, they may not be aware that we pay as much as we consume in energy. Consequently, it is important not to blow your stack when you see your RW trying to warm up the back 40 in October.
6) Items will be re-arranged, re-organized or misplaced. In Russia, space is in short supply so things are stuffed in every conceivable nook and cranny. Have room for her growing list of things with extra boxes, storage containers and other organizing items. She will most likely not buy these items for herself.
7) Items from your past GFs and Ex-wives maybe thrown out of the house. RW will go through the house with a fine-tooth comb. If you want to keep these items intact, take care of them accordingly. Referably in a vault or somewhere away from the house. Even better, a vault far away from the house.
8) You may come home and find that your yard is short a few trees. Many RW own kitchen gardens and have no compunction in cutting down objectionable growths. Or they may decide that they need some fire wood for the coming winter.
9) You may find your collection of antique rusty ‘nails’ and collector posters in the garbage can. Russian norms of what is 'valuable' can be quite different. RW come from the old world where everything is old. To many, 'old' is synonymous with used or obsolete. Instruct your Russian Woman as to what items are of value to you.
10) Russian Women are very industrious when they get the bug. If your RW starts to talk about redecorating the house, hide the sledge and demolition hammers. Redecorating can mean anything from new wall treatments to new walls.
11) Russian Women are not used to having window treatments such as blinds, especially delicate mini-blinds. Unless you have mini-blinds made of 5 pound plate steel connected with hardened steel chains, you may have a problem or two.
12) Many Russian Women, when given the privacy that we have on the west, like to prance au natural in their home. RW have a more European mindset such that they can be much less inhibited than what you maybe used to. In this case, make sure you don't have problems with item #11.
13) Scouring cleansers are the universal cleaner. RW and cleansers are not to come in contact with porcelain and fiberglass tubs, other wise it will be an expensive learning experience.
Ronin
Last edited on Sunday December 17th, 2006 07:53 am by ronin1
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TrevorM
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Posted: Friday July 14th, 2006 02:59 pm |
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When I first read this I took it with a pinch of salt thinking it a little exaggerated. Boy was I wrong!
1) Not come across this, yet.
2) Large spoons are definitely used for planting pot plants.
3) I think is the only point that doesn't apply.
4) Only took 10 days before the washing machine went belly-up! I think she must have overloaded it. The glass bowl was ripped off the door-frame, the door catch was broken, the fuse blown and the entire drum ripped off its mountings.
5) Still Summer, so I guess this is yet to come. It is strange how a RW can complain about being cold when I'm just wearing a T-shirt, yet when we go to the beach she insists on swimming in the sea, which I would class as only a few degrees above arctic.
6) The furniture in each room has been rearranged (and sometimes transferred between rooms). Every day when I come home from work I play "spot the changes". Even the glory-hole under the stairs where I keep my tools has been rearranged and tidied. What I can't understand is how a slightly-built 5' 3" RW can move large pieces of furniture around all by herself. (Note to self: Set up hidden camera).
Anything left lying around is tidied away into a drawer or cupboard. I try not to sit still for too long, otherwise I am likely to have a coat-hanger stuffed down my shirt collar and find myself hanging in a wardrobe!
7) A fine tooth-comb, more like an electron microscope!.
8) Not yet, but she is currently replanning the garden on paper.
9) See 6.
Last edited on Friday July 14th, 2006 03:10 pm by TrevorM
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JPjr
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Posted: Sunday July 16th, 2006 05:09 pm |
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Treavor this is cute, I can't wait for Love to get here and distort my perspective to fit her Russian view of things. It will be great. Tore the door off of the washing machine, that is cool.Last edited on Sunday July 16th, 2006 05:10 pm by JPjr
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ronin1
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Posted: Tuesday July 18th, 2006 06:30 am |
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TrevorM,
I'm glad that you have seen the light.
Indeed, it is easy for those that are not familiar with Russian Women to take my words lightly. Even to me it feels strange to write these articles knowing that many will not fullly understand until they have their RW in their homeland. Still, perhaps some of my words will be remembered and that will be enough.
Good Luck,
Ronin
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TrevorM
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Posted: Wednesday July 19th, 2006 01:35 pm |
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JPjr wrote: I can't wait for Love to get here and distort my perspective to fit her Russian view of things. It will be great.
Well be prepared JPjr. Your house will no longer be "your" (singular) house, most likely it will not even be "your" (plural) house but will become "her" house. There appear to be several reasons for this:-
- Being a stranger in a strange place, she will want to create a place of her own to provide a solid reference framework. In effect she will staking out her territory.
- If you previously shared the house with a former wife or girlfriend, this re-inforces the claim-staking and the drive to make the house "hers".
- To re-inforce her commitment to you and for your approval. As the bread-winner, in her eyes, you will expect to come home to a wonderful, clean and tidy home. Although you may have disagreements over some of the changes, make sure that you show your appreciation of the hard work she has put into maintaing and improving the house, otherwise she will think she has failed.
Also a small warning. Be prepared because some of the house/garden improvement she may request will entail large outlays of cash. Make sure should have good reasons for not doing these immediately, if at all, and be prepared to firmly argue your side because a RW will use every female trick in the book to get her own way.
If this sounds a little daunting, just think that at the end of the day it is infinitely preferable to have someone taking an interest in your well-being, than someone who doesn't really care.
Best of Luck,
Trevor
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TrevorM
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Posted: Wednesday July 19th, 2006 01:58 pm |
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Just to echo a point that Ronin made in another thread:-
A RW's use of hot water is truly astounding, especially if she has long hair. She will quite happily use an entire tankful of hot water with a single shower.
Early on explain that hot water is heated locally in the house and not a central station like like they are used to in the FSU, or you will be taking cold showers and also paying a small fortune in utility bills.
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JPjr
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Posted: Wednesday July 19th, 2006 10:25 pm |
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| Love and I lived together, for 30 days. I loved the way most Russian things were thought out. I follow the idiom of Buckminster Fuller, "More With Less" and Love is good at this. I want her to put this place in shape and me with it. I am a sucker for female tricks. Love has never had a yard, been in the same flat given to her father Arkady, when they moved to Cheboksary in 1970. Love does not like turning the earth with a shovel, said she had enough of that, growing up in her grandmother's village in Karabash. I am retired and we will look for a place up at the TENN. River, sell this place. It is still my X's and Mine till, the children finish college. I like the idea of families sticking together thru the generations and Love has said she has no problem with it. Doug(21) and Kelly(19), have said they may stick with dad and find a big place on the river. So I am very happy with the thought of conforming to what Love may need and expresses once she learns the Ropes here. Last edited on Wednesday July 19th, 2006 10:26 pm by JPjr
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dwfunk
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Posted: Thursday August 31st, 2006 08:49 pm |
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ronin1 wrote: Russian Woman proof your house…
<snip>
Here is a short list of things that you may want to consider:
<snip>
11) Russian Women are not used to having window treatments such as blinds, especially delicate mini-blinds. Unless you have minii-blinds made of 5 pound plate steel connected with hardened steel chains, you may have a problem or two.
12) Many Russian Women like to prance au natural in their home. RW have a more European mindset such that they can be much less inhibited than what you are used to. In this case, make sure you don't have problems with item #11.
OK, so I read this list, and then re-read it and as time passes, and I communicated more with her, this list started to line up. BUT . . .
I just was not fully comprehending #12!!
Trip #2, (just completed) I got to spend 3 weeks with her and we lived together the entire time. Because we had previously met, last Dec/Jan 2005/2006, we were more comfortable with each other and the hotel/visitor/tourist kind of atmosphere was not present this time. We were closer to what full time life together is going to be like.
Oh Yeah! for #12!! I was constantly being 'scolded' for things like: "why put back on??", that one after putting on a t-shirt. I'm just not used to not wearing a t-shirt all the time, unless I'm swimming or bathing. Her, well, she, uh, um just re-read #12, and yup! you'll get the picture, item 12 fits.
Then, I became self-conscious about #11. She does have "a dressing for window", they are very nice, shear, curtains, did I say shear, that are really only just a decoration along the sides and tops of the windows, oh, did I say shear?? Very shear?? Yeah, like in see through, completely see through!!
I am very appreciative of item 12!! 
----
David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia
http://www.davidandnataliafunk.org/
16th World Spacemodeling Championships
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ronin1
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Posted: Friday September 1st, 2006 05:59 am |
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dwfunk,
Yes, it seems that the hotter it gets or the more hotter they want you to get, the more that comes off. The view of most any WM's house is immensely improved by the precence of a RW... and I'm not speaking about their "cosy house making" abilities.
To explain further about #12... is that most RW dare not be so bold in Russian abodes Most RW in Russia live in cramped apartments, often with many family members. They have little privacy available to them. However, many that come to the States take advantage of the abundant privacy that is afforded them. We are the lucky recipients of this. They get their privacy that they have been craving all their life and we get all the eye candy we can take in... sounds like a win-win situation for all.
Ronin
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IamCaleum
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Posted: Friday November 24th, 2006 06:49 am |
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This is probably alittle stupid to ask but I take it that removing things like plasma tv's and blenders for a short time is advisable? 1 and 2 I have done myself a time or two . As for the rest, ( especially #12) I can easily manage since I live in the suburbs and my nearest neighbor is nearly 1/2 mile away.
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ronin1
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Posted: Friday November 24th, 2006 04:07 pm |
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IamCaleum,
Welcome to the RussiawomanPrimer!
Your quote:
This is probably alittle stupid to ask but I take it that removing things like plasma tv's and blenders for a short time is advisable?
Depends on the RW's temperment. Does your RW have a tube driven TV. Of so then she maybe tempted to give it a swat or two if there is a channel that is a bit out of reception. Also, the remote is vunerable. Many Russian apartment don't have a lot of table top space nor a coffee table. Often works in progress will be left on the sofa. How many times is your remote rated for being sat on, dropped and/or thrown?
Blenders come with numerous buttons require detailed instructions as do our modern micro-processor microwaves that are menu driven. IIRC, Oster has an retro blender that just has one heavy duty toggle switch for on/off operation... Ideal for RW.
Ronin
Last edited on Sunday December 17th, 2006 07:58 am by ronin1
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