How to win the heart of a Russian Bride

Gifts

Flowers: Flowers play a vital role in dating in the former Soviet Union.

Do:

• Offer your potential bride a single rose on the first date.
• Buy flowers for her mother when meeting your lady?s family.

Don?t

• Send an even number of roses to a Russian lady as these are used for funerals and it is considered extremely bad luck.
• Send yellow roses as they can signify a decrease in feelings or the end of a relationship.

Other recommended gifts

• Books and photos of your home town.
• Photos of you and your family
• Perfume
• Cosmetics
• Cassettes or CDs
• Gold jewellery (with a value of less than $100 to avoid loss or theft).

Dating

• Dress your best: Russians place great importance on physical appearance.
• Offer your lady your arm as this is more customary than holding hands.
• Help your lady onto/off vehicles: a courtesy still practiced in Russia.
• Always do the pouring and make sure your date?s glass is full: this is an old but deeply ingrained custom.

Sexual Conduct

Russian society is in many ways still very traditional but is considered more open sexually than in the West. However, moral codes vary from woman to woman so we would advise you to judge your date?s attitude accordingly.

Faux Pas to avoid

• Never kiss your lady on the forehead as this is reserved for funerals.
• Do not shake hands with a Russian woman as they consider it unfeminine.
• Do not greet her with an expensive present: this may make your date feel like she is being bought.  Small, thoughtful gifts are therefore appreciated far more.
• Remember to take off your shoes before you enter a house as Russians do not wear shoes inside the home.  Most households will however have several pairs of guest shoes at their home for visitors.  If they do not have enough it is permissible to wear your socks.
• Do not drink to excess.  Alcoholism in the former Soviet Union covers up to 50% of the male population and this is something your date will seek to avoid.

Marriage Traditions

It is a tradition for the brides? mother to hand you and your bride a loaf of bread at your wedding reception.  Whoever can take the largest bite becomes head of the household.

More info on courting Russian Brides

• Russian Traditions - from the Global7Network's "Men's Guide to Russian Women
• Once you are married, how to help your bride settle in (Brides-4U)

Article by Emma Newlands
© Brides-4U Ltd