So, here it goes
Looking good
While it seems like a girl thing to say, giving attention to your appearance is important. First impressions are the most lasting ones, and you don’t want to miss a chance to put your best foot forward. Depending on where you are going, you may have several options.
If you are planning to attend a restaurant, a suit will be a great choice. However, if you are not comfortable with wearing one, slacks and a shirt will also fit the occasion. There is a bit of a cultural factor behind this – for most people in Russia and CIS it is not very common to attend restaurants, so for them it is a special occasion. Also, Russian women tend to dress up much more than women in Europe or US (especially when going out), so wearing more than casual clothes will also make you feel comfortable in your lady’s presence. Going to a night club really leaves you much freedom in selecting your attire – jeans combined with a shirt or t-shirt will be a comfortable choice. If your first meeting is planned during the day in a caf?, hotel lobby or a coffee shop, wearing clothes relaxed style is acceptable.
A good rule of thumb – when in doubt, don’t go casual, it is what we recommend for your first date with a Russian woman.
You might also give some consideration to your perfume – women are much more sensitive to smells than men. Don’t use perfumes with too strong/potent smell, as you risk creating discomfort during your date. Finding something with a fresh, light smell will be a good choice.
To gift or not to gift
When planning that special meeting, it is a good idea to consider bringing something for your sweetheart. The type of the gift will depend on how well you know your lady and her preferences.
If you feel like you don’t know much about her taste, it is safe to go with flowers or candy. Selecting wine is a good idea only if you know that she likes beverages as such. If you have been in correspondence for a while and know your lady’s likes/dislikes, you can purchase something more personal (perfume she likes, a particular type of a beverage, etc). Bringing small souvenirs from your home country is a great idea – something cultural as a small token of your affection will make a woman of your choice feel special, and your gift – unique.
Three’s a company
Meeting for the first time (no matter how much communication before) can be stressful for both partners. Even with much chemistry and a comfortable setting things can get strained with just two people at the table, so it is a good idea to have someone else along to relieve stressful moments. Having a friend accompany you might be one of the best options for you as well as for your lady, a trusted interpreter could be priceless in such situations.
You must also remember that a woman you are meeting might insist on having her own interpreter come to your meeting. In many cases, an interpreter will also be her friend. There is no need to feel intimidated by such a request – it is simply a way for her to feel comfortable in a setting with someone she has never met before. If such situation makes you feel uneasy, there is nothing wrong with bringing your own interpreter along as well – after all, the key to a successful date is that you both feel relaxed.
Places to go
If you are meeting at your lady’s home country, chances are you will not be very familiar with the places you can attend at her city. It is a good idea to gather some information about the places available (clubs, restaurants, sightseeing items, etc) prior to planning a meeting. You can find out this information from the agency, through which you are meeting your lady, your interpreter, or from the reception at the hotel/landlord of your apartment. This will give you an idea of how to plan your date best (i.e. how to dress, how much money to bring, etc).
When planning the first meeting, it might be a good idea to keep it brief – for example, meet for a casual lunch during the week, or simply for a cup of coffee at your hotel lobby. This is a good safety measure for both of you – if the meeting doesn’t go well, you (or your lady) will not feel pressured of having an entire strained evening ahead. It will also give you all necessary clues about chemistry and whether you like each other.
Little things
Even though your thoughts of the upcoming date might be full of romantic dreams, there are a few practical moments to think about in advance:
– make sure you exchange enough money before your meeting (especially if you are planning an extensive date – i.e. restaurant, then night club, etc). Try to find out an approximate price range from someone you know (an agent, an interpreter, etc). The last thing you want is to scramble for ATM machines or trying to find an exchange instead of spending time getting to know each other;
– be prepared to pay for the evening – it is typical for men to pay when taking a woman out in the CIS countries. You should also keep in mind that it is considered good manners to pay for a lady’s taxi home, and to walk her to the car or to her home.
– think of a few questions to keep in store in case the conversation is not too upbeat. Try not to ask the questions, which require “yes” or “no” answers. Ask your lady something that would get her to open up and share more information about herself – i.e. Why do you like your job? What is your favorite childhood memory? What are some of your family traditions? Avoid asking serious questions about possibilities for your relationship – one meeting might not be enough time for either of you to decide how much you like each other.
Success or..?
After all your efforts you finally meet the lady of your dream, and now it is time to sharpen your senses. A well flowing conversation is a good sign, however, body language is also very important to notice.
If the woman is trying to sit close to you, or letting you do the same, trying to hold your hand, and looking for ways to make your meeting last as long as possible – these are positive signs and it is a good idea to try to schedule another date, or at least make sure you have exchanged phone numbers and contact information. If the lady is not taking well to your initiative when you attempt to get closer, when she is trying to keep her distance when you try to approach, or is avoiding giving a definite answer about your next meeting, it is probably an indication that she is not very interested.
Don’t despair if things aren’t going as well as you’d like – finding your Russian bride will take time and, most likely, quite a few first dates, but we hope that with our tips, each one of them will be a positive experience.