Dacha Thinking

Ever since I arrived in Russia, over a year ago, I have had a
personal rule about dating the locals. I abstained from the wonderful
treats that were, literally, thrust upon me by the Russian women. I can’
remember exactly why I had the rule. I think it had a bit to do with the
other men here, my outlook on Russia, and my opinion of Russian
women.

First, I saw so many expat men with Russian women, I was appalled.
Some days it seems like every expat guy here has a Russian wife. Of all
the single-when-arrived men, I am straining to remember one man who did
not find a wife, or at least try to, while here. This mass union made me
a bit skittish for two reasons. First, I hate following the crowd, no
matter where it’s going or what it’s doing. As the crowd dived into the
ladies, I looked for a more original approach. Then, as I saw why so
many Russian women would attempt the cross-cultural union, the security
(financial and emotional), the liberty (passport and family), and the
future (her and her offspring), I started to question their true
motives.

Second, when I first arrived, I was with 44 Americans, all in a bit
of group think. We stuck together, and to a great extent, were quite
aloof from the country we were to live in. Once my visa was
questionable, and my tenure in Russia tenuous, I sure didn’t want to
entangle myself with a Russian girlfriend. Even after I started at PW, I
was still quite unsure of my future here. I didn’t have a real contract;
I could be cut off with a three-month’s notice, so I was a bit
apprehensive. All this uncertainty kept me in the expat circles, where a
quick departure could be understood.

Finally, and most revolting now, was my opinion of the ladies here. I
subconsciously though of Russian women as inferior to Western women.
Yes, I know, I am shocked too! I never realized I though this way until
I was examining my life this past weekend. See, I though that since so
many dorky men were landing amazing Russian women, I, as a non-dork,
should do better. Who did I think was better (or more difficult to date,
thereby proving my superiority)? Expat women. I was downgrading a
segment of women, solely because they were not being as discriminatory
as I would expect a woman to be. Like, who the hell did I think I
was?

Ok, so here I sit thinking about all that I have written, and what it
means. I do know why so many expat men and Russian women marry. The men
want excitement and the mix of femininity and power a Russian woman has.
I do admit that the mix excites me too. The Russian women want what an
expat man can offer, not matter how dorky he is. Maybe they are morally
above me, judging a man on his soul, not his looks. I also feel much
better about my future prospects at PW. I am going to be there after the
merger with Coopers finishes. I will be moving up, slowly but surely,
and they do pay me enough to keep me interested. On top of all that, I
cannot continue to think of any class of women as anything less than the
mysterious, wondrous, amazing, sensuous beings I admire and desire so
much.

What did I figure out after all that? I am going to cast aside my
previous rule, and I shall try to enjoy the magnificent women this
country has to offer, if they will even talk to me after reading this.

What a difference a weekend at the dacha makes!