Post: #126

(08-16-2013 11:33 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 11:07 AM)jimukr104 Wrote:  a bit of culture goes a long way

+1. Many guys don't understand how a bit of cultural knowledge is important when dealing with russian/ukrainian girls. They think they gonna just show up, flash their US or EU passport, and have access to the hottest girls.

Vorkuta said it better that i could ever do:

/thread-25383-...#pid483122

I am in Kiev now. I am trying to figure things out here. I have had a few dates. All first dates of which have been coffee dates in the day time or after work. For the more experienced on Kiev, is the norm?

Post: #127

You are the man, you choose. Yes a cheap date is good in the beginning but how did you meet them?

Post: #128

(08-16-2013 11:54 AM)Doctordude Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 11:33 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 11:07 AM)jimukr104 Wrote:  a bit of culture goes a long way

+1. Many guys don't understand how a bit of cultural knowledge is important when dealing with russian/ukrainian girls. They think they gonna just show up, flash their US or EU passport, and have access to the hottest girls.

Vorkuta said it better that i could ever do:

/thread-25383-...#pid483122

I am in Kiev now. I am trying to figure things out here. I have had a few dates. All first dates of which have been coffee dates in the day time or after work. For the more experienced on Kiev, is the norm?

From my experience (but as usual, YMMV), if you are out with one of these young successful, good looking babes and she offers to pay for her own drinks, then sex is probably not on the menu. She just wants to "be friends". Also, personally, I always engage the "alcohol test". The first "fuck-me" message a girl sends you is when she starts to seriously drink with you (my experience has usually been that if a Russian/Ukrainian woman has more than 3/4 drinks with you, then she will be offended if you don't at least try to have sex with her). If a girl doesn't want to get drunk with me (unless she is teetotal), it is probably that sex is not on the menu, I write her off. I tried to explain that to a guy on another board, who complained that on the four dates he got in St Petersburg, three were girls who "didn't drink". I explained him that a girl who doesn't drink with you is not necesserely a girl who does not drink. She is just sending the message that she is not available to let herself go for you. A very clear message. Maybe later in the evening this same girl will dance on the bar at Coyote Ugly totally drunk.

Anyone has been at the recently opened (June I guess) Coyote Ugly Kiev branch by the way ?

http://coyoteugly.ru/kiev/

Post: #129

^^^true...its unfortunate that many Ukrainians will not drink in public or pretend to not to drink to come across Good.. Of course they often lie. Get them in a dacha party and they will drink or social circle.
I think if you are with a girl like this..be prepared for the slow track..but on each date bring up ordering drinks.
Order 2 glasses of wine and make a toast( many will not refuse a toast, its a cultural thing, even those who hate alcohol will sip a bit). You know how it plays out sometimes? she will have a sip and finish the glass, maybe have another. The key is to NOT make it seem you are just trying to take advantage of her.Even on a 1st date coffee date, it helps to make sure alcohol is served at the place. That's why spending money on a second date to eat at a restaurant works for many. They will more likely drink if eating something.
By the same token if you don't like drinking(me) you can fuck it up by refusing to drink when toasting or helping FINISH off a bottle.i once had a chick say" what we are NOT good enough to drink with?". I assure you I drank but it didn't go well. Cultural understanding means you have to make exceptions once in a while.

Post: #130

(08-16-2013 12:41 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  ^^^true...its unfortunate that many Ukrainians will not drink in public or pretend to not to drink to come across Good. Of course they often lie. Get them in a dacha party and they will drink

Right on the money. Most foreigners don't have a clue about the psyche of the girls they want to fuck, which is why they often fail miserably on the first date. You have to apply "The Exorcist" tactic which means getting the demon out to release her sexual hunger, thanks to tequila, Long island Ice Teas or mojtos.

Post: #131

(08-16-2013 12:41 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  By the same token if you don't like drinking(me) you can fuck it up by refusing to drink when toasting or helping FINISH off a bottle.i once had a chick say" what we are NOT good enough to drink with?". I assure you I drank but it didn't go well. Cultural understanding means you have to make exceptions once in a while.

A person who doesn't drink has something to hide.

Post: #132

(08-16-2013 02:36 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 12:41 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  By the same token if you don't like drinking(me) you can fuck it up by refusing to drink when toasting or helping FINISH off a bottle.i once had a chick say" what we are NOT good enough to drink with?". I assure you I drank but it didn't go well. Cultural understanding means you have to make exceptions once in a while.

A person who doesn't drink has something to hide.

Can say "use to be alcoholic" but that can be a turn off, so I just made it seem like I already polished off a lot.

Tip: when getting off the plane in Odessa...you might as well just hand over your wallet and ATM card to the first hot chick you see.They are NOT shy to mention they WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED. Back before dating sites and dial up was like 13k speed , we had chat rooms. I met a few from there. The gals would say "wnt to be entertained". I met another one who said "aren't we going to go eat?", I said I can't .
Also shoo away the flower/rose chick BEFORE she reaches your table...lock her in the broom closet!

Post: #133

(08-16-2013 03:05 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 02:36 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 12:41 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  By the same token if you don't like drinking(me) you can fuck it up by refusing to drink when toasting or helping FINISH off a bottle.i once had a chick say" what we are NOT good enough to drink with?". I assure you I drank but it didn't go well. Cultural understanding means you have to make exceptions once in a while.

A person who doesn't drink has something to hide.

Can say "use to be alcoholic" but that can be a turn off, so I just made it seem like I already polished off a lot.

Tip: when getting off the plane in Odessa...you might as well just hand over your wallet and ATM card to the first hot chick you see.They are NOT shy to mention they WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED. Back before dating sites and dial up was like 13k speed , we had chat rooms. I met a few from there. The gals would say "wnt to be entertained". I met another one who said "aren't we going to go eat?", I said I can't .
Also shoo away the flower/rose chick BEFORE she reaches your table...lock her in the broom closet!

Hm, Jim's comment just opened my eyes a bit. During my July trip in Odessa I met an American expat (he will remain anonymous for now but does read this forum) with whom we partied in Odessa for a couple days. He had a very large social circle, literally hundred's of numbers of girls who he claimed were friends. He was number closing girls wherever we went, including in front of their boyfrields. He mentioned to me that the local girls want to be entertained there, and by entertainment he was not talking about Arcadia clubs...LoL

According to this guy if we spent $500 he would guarantee the best party that my buddy and I ever experienced with virtually an unlimited number of goerguous women and no P4P. I suppose this is where the "WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED" part comes in...you offer an Odessa girl a good time (never mention sex) at a party with a VIP table, great food/drinks, awesome music, and you yourself play a "mini-oligarch" and she might as well be yours. What do you guys think? Btw, we did not take him up on his offer as he said he needed a day or so to prepare and we had to leave shortly for Crimea.

Post: #134

I think it cost morecthan 500 in Odessa. I only know of 3 long term American expats in Odessa( bot including married guys) they are a bit shady if you ask me. Hopefully he not whom I know lol. Every guy wants your money in Odessa even the shady Americans.
I would never live there single because
A. Hard to find normal girls who aren't corrupted.
B. It's maybe the only fsu city where couples often matched based on beauty. Not always.
C. Logistics suck. Either live in Arcadia where I live or center. Summer Arcadia good but rest of year center best. But MOST chicks never come to center. Until recently there was no good clubs in the center except Yo. Now there's a few but unlike Kiev or other cities transportation is slow. So most girls keep out of center. Most don't work in center either. So it's basically the same chicks you will see day after day. They are like furniture in the irish pub and cafes.
I mean does any city have such a thin and short main street?I think it's the length of 1 long brooklyn street. Makes it hard to daygame when the main street is small and the same chicks cruise up and down it all day. Not to mention the foreigners doing the same.
My wife says the classy foreigners are in Kiev and the degenerate ones are in Odessa lol.
The expats who are married and have family are ok though. They usually are retired or something. I mean you know something is wrong when the hash harriers disbands and can't keep together.

Post: #135

(08-16-2013 03:05 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  Can say "use to be alcoholic" but that can be a turn off, so I just made it seem like I already polished off a lot.

I was talking more about the mentality to non drinkers there. At least, in my experience, many people think not drinking is being afraid of the truth coming out when drunk.

Post: #136

(08-17-2013 01:53 AM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  many people think not drinking is being afraid of the truth coming out when drunk.

There is a popular russian proverb that says "Что у трезвого на уме, то у пьяного на языке" ("What's on the sober's mind is on the drunk's tongue")

Post: #137

(08-16-2013 09:05 PM)BCZalgyris Wrote:  According to this guy if we spent $500 he would guarantee the best party

Sounds like another broke expat who tries to make a living out of his fellow countrymen. He seems to fit the way most Russians and Ukrainians think about Odessa and its notoriety as a city of con-artists. Ostap Bender lives.

Post: #138

(08-17-2013 02:42 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 09:05 PM)BCZalgyris Wrote:  According to this guy if we spent $500 he would guarantee the best party

Sounds like another broke expat who tries to make a living out of his fellow countrymen. He seems to fit the way most Russians and Ukrainians think about Odessa and its notoriety as a city of con-artists. Ostap Bender lives.

There is or was a business in Odessa run by an American.It was a marriage agency/business center. Anyway I met him when he was first coming up with his idea. What he did was he went around with a translator offering girls a free ice cream cone or hamburger from mc donalds if they would allow him to take photo's of them and use them for his business. He charged like 75 bucks a meeting(10 was the customary) and got away with it becuase he used the "i am honest American" bs.
Then there's the pretend "i am a model/actor type who also build a harem of contacts to sell to un expecting guys.
You know these businesses are somewhat backed up by local enforcement because the more honest business men get run out. Estelitos a popular mexican restaurant was owned by an expat and locals ran him out.You wil notice that other than mc donalds there are no other chains in Odessa. Pan pizza and top sandwich are originally Odessan chains but no mr snack or other national food chains. Thats because the local mob keeps them out. Even Russian KFC 'Roostik' isnt there. They are in most large cities including Kharkiv.But Odessa has the most food eateries and retail establishments per capita in Ukraine. But its mostly local owned.
I once wanted to buy something in the store and it was more expensive than kiev and the guy said"its because its Odessa' . He implied the Odessa arrogance. but considering Odessa is the port where most stuff comes into the country(including stuff shipped to RUssia) and even is a free tariff zone it makes no sense that things cost more.

Post: #139

Jim/Prosal, the expat I met in Odessa has lived there for 9 years and is not married; his Russian is also decent so he can infiltrate most social circle's easily and he had nothing to do with marriage agencies or the mob although he did tell me the same stories that you mention about the foreign owned businesses being driven out by the mob, especially one stall/bar run by his friend in Arcadia that just ended up closing unexpetedly and almost overnight was in a local's hands.

I think his idea was just to message all the local girls he knew, talk to owners of a local club/bar about renting out a space (thus the $500 cost) and throw some theme party, and invite them all there. No guarantee's of sex just a good party atmosphere with model girls and great ratio...of course the implication being that we would all pretend to be high-rollers or celebrating some business deal and via game end up getting good leads from HB's 7+. Obviously I was very tempted but to implement this properly and get a rotation of gf's going would require mass amount of time...i'm assuming at least 2+ weeks in Odessa.
Btw, this seems like a bargain as in 1st tier USA cities $500 will barely get you bottle service at a top club and would not necessarily result in a guarantee of a good time.

Post: #140

^^^ hope he isn't that guy from Alaska...lol
Makes more sense to do what local English teachers do......throw a house party!
Even rent out one of those large luxury flats for a night or 2.

Post: #141

(08-16-2013 10:52 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(08-16-2013 05:07 AM)Thespaniard Wrote:  Prosal: About the 50$ budget, its just an approximate amount. If the quality of the grls demands more i´ll glad to spend it but normally with 7,7´5s i dont think you need more. With 8s I agree that you can invest a higher amount.

There are many types of female in Kiev in different social classes, and some require more lubrication than others. Lubrication isn't necessarily in the form of luxury or gifts or expensive restaurants, romance and personality go far...... and especially experience and intelligence. But when a girl, even if she is just a 7+ with no materialistic expectations, shows up at the date perfectly dressed with her most glam high-heels, her most sexy dress, with perfect hair and make-up, perfect manucures and not an eyelash out of place, don't you want to treat her ? .....personally, when a girl shows up well-groomed, I take it as sign of respect, and I also want to respect her, and pay tribute to her efforts and her feminity. I certainly won't take her eat vobla and drink beer from the bottle in the park. I want to take her to a nice and romantic cafe where we'll get drunk on good wine. Just to say that if I don't have at least 150 €/day to spend for dates, dinners, drinks in clubs, ect (and in Kiev 150 €/day don't take you far, that is about what I spend in Tashkent which is three times cheaper), I stay home. Being cheap takes you nowhere in FSU. If you don't respect women and see them only from a "what can I get from her (sex) for the lowest expenses" perspective, they'll show you no respect either.

Well man, probably yuo are right. Obvioulsly you have much more experience with FSU than I do. This trip to Kiev has been my first trip to consider. I´ve been other times just for 2-3 days so i cant count it. In my time in Kiev I´ve had many dates. Its not that I diddn´t want to make the investment, actualy I can afford spending more if I feel there is need but it didn´t happen. My first dates were mostly coffee dates after work (theirs) and after a little walk or an ice cream. So cost of the date is: 100grvna or so. Second dates where suhsi dates. I take them to Mafia restaurant which is place that is nice and prices are very reasonable. I don´t drink alcohol myself so normally they don´t order and even if they do its not that much. I found that prices are 20 % or even maybe a little more than in Spain. So the price of the date will never be higher than 500 grivna, (50€). For 3rd dates i suggest "pizza and movie" at my place, or if they resist yet Ill go for another dinner (50€) aand bounce to mine. I don´t really see the need of spending 150€ on thsese dates. The thing is that in this trip I didn´t get to bang any 8s, jus 7s -7.5s so maybe with an 8+ it works different..Maybe you go to super fancy places or you buy gifts, or bottles of wine? Can you explain how you spend the 150€? Im curious.

Post: #142

(08-16-2013 11:07 AM)jimukr104 Wrote:  Spaniard I will try to explain.
I don't speak only basic Russian. I also have a NYC Accent so when o attempted approaches in russian they know we aren't local. So let's think how she thinks.
Very rarely a westerner speaks Russian so what am I? I have dark features so they will think Georgian, Armenian, Bulgarian, Italian, and maybe a white Turk. They actually love the dark look of Armenians, and Italians but for reasons we know don't want Turks and Italians and spaniards are known sex tourists. So it can fuck me up.
Before I open my mouth they think I am Russian/ukrainain. Nordic and mediteraneans actually classically are very similar. Deep set eyes , oval faces. A Slav is a mix of that. So for me how I sound when I open my mouth determines alot.
Then there is the added problem when they find out how I learned russain. Having a ,as prosal says, russkaya dushka can put me on the slow track. Seriously. They see me as breeding material and will even bring me home to meet mom. I was invited to family dachas, after meeting invited home for mom to cook for me,etc. I even had a parent a few times try set me up. I could have maybe avoided that by saying ' my name is Kevin kevin from la and I am a visiting tourist'.
When they think you have a Russian soul or BLOOD you often become boring to the Anglo lovers and if they like you it's because they want you to be BF who is LTR material and want to be won over.
Interestingly, partizan and prosal are correct knowing a bit of culture goes a long way......as long as they don't see you as someone who is of the culture. Another thing I experienced were chicks who thought I was bad to date because I was living there. They actually thought I would , because of BLOOD become like another local guy. Tragedy is part of the culture.
My own wife always says everyone thinks I am russian until I open my mouth. She also was warned by family that I might be a playboy due to my young age and good looks. That's another point I once mentioned. Maybe it's different with the new generation who grew up with Hollywood buy Fsu girls are actually against and scared of really good-looking guys. Makes sense in a culture where women believe they are the ones who must be the beauty in the couple(beauty for a fsu girl is a manly guy, big features, not brad Pitt pretty boys).
This is one of the reasons the forum members who have fsu ancestry like wolverine and oldnemisis knew DEB was making crap up. If he really looked like a model he would actually be doing worst than the non models. His height would be his only asset(tall is good).
I know a young guy in NYC who actually is a model and he has trouble meeting fsu girls in Brooklyn who want that. I told him he would better of lying and mentioning a more manly livelihood.
But I admit I really can't say how 16-21 year olds behave now. The ones I dated have aged and every generation has it's own idols to worship. Even my wife says the young ones today act flaky. I once Mentioned Here I find 15-17 year old fsu chicks to be more mature than thec18-22 year old ones. University chicks every where are at an age where they live in a fantasy world. I don't find them any different NYC or Kiev.

My advice open In English then go to Russian if needed. It also makes it easier for her to ask 'where are u from?'. This is better than her thinking in her mind trying to guess. She will end up guessing based on her experience. Means polish,Turkish and more less desirable countries.

Jim thanks for your explanation, very good point. I just started learning russian but even when Im conversational I´ll start my approaches in english to keep the value of being exotic and not falling into the BF category.

Post: #143

(08-18-2013 05:03 AM)Thespaniard Wrote:  .Maybe you go to super fancy places or you buy gifts, or bottles of wine? Can you explain how you spend the 150€? Im curious.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to judge your method, we are all different and we all have different methods, but I am just more happy and most successful sticking to mines.

About what I spend, I must explain that sex is secondary to me. What I like the most is the company of a feminine, smart, conversational, heavy drinking (I am myself a thirsty party goer), fun and witty girl or woman. I like to date, to treat a woman in nice places (but not in fancy places), to try to know her on a deeper level and to get drunk with her ....and I have a very relaxed attitude when it comes to get a girl in the sack or not (but if I have the choice, I'm still going to choose dinner, chat and a blowjob over dinner, chat and a peck on the cheek lol). Just to say that I spend maybe more than most guys to entertain girls, for the reason that when I entertain girls, I primarily entertain myself. As a side note and from my experience, women like this kind of relaxed attitude in a man.

Anyway. What I spend in let's say Tashkent: (I'm not a specialist of Kiev, but from my experience all those prices must easily be x 2, and in Moscow x 3)

* light lunch for self at a mall foodcourt: 5 €
* meeting in nice cafe for two, tea and either salad or dessert: 10 €
* light dinner for two at mid-level restaurant with multiple drinks: 30 €
* heavy dinner for two at mid-level "in" restaurant with multiple drinks and additional courses: 60 €
* light night clubbing/chasing girls at one club with average volume drinks for self (which means 8 or 10 cocktails) and occasional drinks bought for girls: 50 €
* heavy night clubbing/chasing girls at multiple clubs with multiple drinks for self and multiple drinks for girls : 100 €
* heavy night (10pm-6am) at strip bar, with multiple lapdancings/neck massages and multiple drinks for self and girls: 120 €

About gifts, I'm not against selected small gifts. By no means it has to bust my budget and by no means are gifts even necessary ..… but they do make a good impression. Above-average girls in FSU expect a mid-aged man to be successful and generous (of course I don't say one should shower them with gifts or let them dictate how spend money on them, that's pathetic), anything less isn't a man worth fucking.

Post: #144

(08-18-2013 06:29 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(08-18-2013 05:03 AM)Thespaniard Wrote:  .Maybe you go to super fancy places or you buy gifts, or bottles of wine? Can you explain how you spend the 150€? Im curious.

About what I spend, I must explain that sex is secondary to me. What I like the most is the company of a feminine, smart, conversational, heavy drinking (I am myself a thirsty party goer), fun and witty girl or woman. I like to date, to treat a woman in nice places (but not in fancy places), to try to know her on a deeper level and to get drunk with her ....and I have a very relaxed attitude when it comes to get a girl in the sack or not (but if I have the choice, I'm still going to choose dinner, chat and a blowjob over dinner, chat and a peck on the cheek lol). Just to say that I spend maybe more than most guys to entertain girls, for the reason that when I entertain girls, I primarily entertain myself. As a side note and from my experience, women like this kind of relaxed attitude in a man.

Anyway. What I spend in let's say Tashkent:
* heavy night clubbing/chasing girls at multiple clubs with multiple drinks for self and multiple drinks for girls : 100 €
* heavy night (10pm-6am) at strip bar, with multiple lapdancings/neck massages and multiple drinks for self and girls: 120 €

About gifts, I'm not against selected small gifts. By no means it has to bust my budget and by no means are gifts even necessary ..… but they do make a good impression. Above-average girls in FSU expect a mid-aged man to be successful and generous (of course I don't say one should shower them with gifts or let them dictate how spend money on them, that's pathetic), anything less isn't a man worth fucking.

I am surprised you accuse me of buying gifts while you know what is all about.

Post: #145

Quote:Just to say that I spend maybe more than most guys to entertain girls, for the reason that when I entertain girls, I primarily entertain myself. As a side note and from my experience, women like this kind of relaxed attitude in a man.

So you're saying women like to be wined and dined without any expectation to reciprocate in some way? I wouldn't have guessed!

Post: #146

(08-18-2013 07:02 AM)Greek kamaki Wrote:  I am surprised you accuse me of buying gifts while you know what is all about.

Never did.

Post: #147

Let's say there are 4 guys:
One takes the Ulrainian girl to a fancy restaurant pays 200 euro for expensive dishes and cocktails and then fucks the girl.
The second goes with her into a shop buys her a 200 euro mobile phone and then fucks her.
The third takes her to a high end club spends 200 euro on drinks and cover so the girl becomes drunk and then he fucks her.
The fourth guy gives the girl 200 euro on hand and she agrees to get fucked by him.

Every guy in this case thinks he is superior to the others although they all spent the same amount and fucked the same girl.
The first guy will say I enjoyed the cuisine and the drinks as well in the fancy restaurant (although he would never have gone there if alone).
The second will say I gave her sth permanent she will remember me forever and is likely to be fucked by me again.
The third will say I enjoyed clubbing as well having the opportunity to dance and talk to other girls as well.I will always remember this night.
The fourth guy thinks you are all suckers.I fucked her without spending a minute more than she deserved.

Post: #148

(08-19-2013 02:56 PM)Greek kamaki Wrote:  Let's say there are 4 guys:
One takes the Ulrainian girl to a fancy restaurant pays 200 euro for expensive dishes and cocktails and then fucks the girl.
The second goes with her into a shop buys her a 200 euro mobile phone and then fucks her.
The third takes her to a high end club spends 200 euro on drinks and cover so the girl becomes drunk and then he fucks her.
The fourth guy gives the girl 200 euro on hand and she agrees to get fucked by him.

Every guy in this case thinks he is superior to the others although they all spent the same amount and fucked the same girl.
The first guy will say I enjoyed the cuisine and the drinks as well in the fancy restaurant (although he would never have gone there if alone).
The second will say I gave her sth permanent she will remember me forever and is likely to be fucked by me again.
The third will say I enjoyed clubbing as well having the opportunity to dance and talk to other girls as well.I will always remember this night.
The fourth guy thinks you are all suckers.I fucked her without spending a minute more than she deserved.

You forgot only the 4th guy is the only one guaranteed to get some action, if getting laid is always the main thing. I agree with Pro where he said sometimes sex is "secondary" if I'm having a such great time.

As I head back to Kiev in a few weeks.... the city still makes me say if it were not for all the chicks here I would never come here again.
Hopefully I can post some honest set of reports.

Post: #149

Quote:Hopefully I can post some honest set of reports.

Me too, not saying anybody's report is not accurate, but it is to some extent in the eye of the beholder how these things are perceived in my opinion.

After following these Ukraine threads with interest and hearing such conflicting reports, I'm looking forward to experiencing my own report.

Touch down in Kiev in 33 days.

Post: #150

Ukriane, Hungary, Romania, where all the finest chicks are were all part of the Ottoman Empire, as a Turk I feel kind of disappointed we lost those territories Well, at least Turks have a good taste.

By the way, some say there are a lot Turks in Ukraine, although that is true, I heard they organize bus trips to Ukriane. Those Turks shouldn't confused with the Tatars(Turkic people), who are indigenous people of the area. Tatar Turks were rulers of that area for long time until Russian Empire expanded and it fell to the Russians. During Stalin reign Tatars were massacred and deported but still big Tatar community lives in Ukriane, especially around Crimea.

Any way, one day I want to go to Crimea for sight seeing and for the chicks. I don't think Tatar chicks won't put out but the Ukranians will. How much of them speak English? And is it easy to learn Russian? How many months is needed?