RE: Mongolian Girls?
Robert High Hawk – Perhaps the best, most well-thought out response to a post I have ever read. Truly enjoyed reading it. Allow me to also say that you nailed it re: your analysis on the best way to navigate when in Mongolia.
This place can “jade” you, if you get in too deep. Robert High Hawk, you know what I mean by that, however, others on this board may not. The land of the Khans can have a haunting, eerie attraction to a westerner who is a new arrival. The rolling green Steppes, or grassland plains span as far as the eye can see, all under the canopy of a big blue sky, with felt-lined ger’s sprinkled about. Sprinkle in the most alluring Asian women with their hypnotic gaze in the world, and it can be mesmerizing. In relation to the women, a few of my colleagues have summed it up by there is “Asian mystique”, and then there is the “Mongolian mystique” – meaning the latter is much more exotic and captivating. Robert, your analogy: “Scandinavian Blondes of Asia” is spot on. This is perhaps the most accurate parallel I have ever heard. The Mongolian women are absolutely the Asian byproduct of Scandinavia.
Again Robert, you hit at the heart of the place. As I reiterated earlier and to use your noun, if you have a “corporate” gig as I, and do not place a sentimental value on the land, you will be fine and secure memories of a lifetime. I for one, stay focused on my primary purpose (job), however, still maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. It is because I keep an equally healthy distance by not allowing myself to become consumed by my present environment. Do not misunderstand me, I have visited and laughed with the locals, explored the dunes at Khongoryn Els, visited Karakorum, Khuvsgul Lake, travelled and participated in local festivals; often go on long walks about the city; belong to a popular fitness gym, frequent various restaurants and partner up with members of my team to go out for a few drinks, yada yada. I have also sampled my fair share of the Mongolian ladies. However, I DO NOT allow myself to become close with the locals, especially the men. Maintaining a healthy aloofness seems to be appreciated by the locals and in the best interest of foreigners.
I have seen expats, begin bonding with the Mongol community (to tightly), and it never seems to end well. I once met a French National for coffee every Sunday who was a Site Quality Manager for Vestas (Wind Energy Co.). Vestas pays very well and he had one of the better management positions. He was a typical Frenchman, however, seemed pleasant enough (and spoke good English). Anyhow, he became infatuated with the Mongolian culture, lifestyle and even took a Mongolian bride. He was living in a luxury apartment complex [Buddha Vista Complex – (much nicer than my digs) ], however, once married he abandoned this complex to move into the ger district with his wife (yes, to live in a ger). He began wearing wool deels, the whole bit. Before long, he was supporting her entire clan. Apparently, her cousin, who saw himself as an entrepreneur of sorts, requested a loan from him as “seed money” for a software/hardware company. This startup was to be a developer for banking institutions, and enterprise resource planning designed for Mongolian insurance companies. This IT solution additionally provided mobile payment apps, security scanners, currency reprocessing systems, etc. It sounded great, apparently had other investors, therefore, my French chum loaned her cousin the requested capital. Of course, the cousin needed more and more capital which his wife cajoled him to loan (she had a rich French husband after all). To cut to the chase the cousin ended up draining his life savings, in addition to taking out multiple loans. When he began asking critical questions (a little late), the cousin of course went into the wind (apparently, he had forgotten he was dealing with a Nomadic people) never to be seen again. I ran into my French chum shortly after this “train wreck” at the Naran Tuul Market where he appraised me of what had transpired. He additionally shared that he had been drinking heavily, lost his job at Vestas, his Mongolian wife had given him the boot, and was now living with a friend (love it when a plan comes together). He had lost weight, was unkempt and appeared he had aged five years x two. He seemed to be in some kind of a stupor, said goodbye and staggered off (have not seen him since).
It is my view, the Mongolian people have a certain degree of reverence for foreigners in a “corporate” capacity, or as Robert states, Embassy duty. However, as in the instance above, once you step down from “Mount Olympus” and attempt to bond with the locals, and/or adopt the “when in Rome” dogma; the Mongolian people lose immediate veneration for you and will begin treating you as such. They do not want their “Great White Fathers from the West” to descent to a human state. The above instance is not isolated. There are several expats who took a page from this playbook and now find themselves isolated and resigned to the seedier parts of the city.
Robert, again you could not be more right re: hostility of Mongolian women to western women. UB is no place for western women. To this day I have been unable to understand where this disdain by Mongolian women comes from. I have several hypotheses, however remains a mystery to me. I have been told that Mongolian women perceive western men as “prizes”, which is true. Because of this, when the Mongolian women see a good-looking, western professional man with his wife or significant other strolling about, they feel that she is here to intentionally ensure he is not approached. Subsequently, the Mongolian woman harass them unmercifully to send a message that this is not a good idea. I have additionally been told that the Mongolian women view western women as soft and weak. They feel western women come from a privileged, untested environment; not a contested, pillaging environment where there is no room for weakness as do they. Therefore, harass them simply because – they can. And God forbid if a western lady, or worse, ladies clean up and go out for the evening, it is certain to be the worst experience of their lives. A Mongolian woman's ultimate goal is to land the most eligible, affluent husband she is able. They have a very predatory nature and will see these western women as infringing on their turf. The western ladies will without-doubt be confronted by these women and driven back to their abode. Just today, I was sitting in the Khaan Deli. There was a western woman, in her early 30's standing in line for a sandwich (very attractive). Three young Mongol girls came through the door, giggling and seemingly in good spirits. One look at this lady standing in line, and their demeanor immediately changed to a grim nature. The western lady sat at the last available table (small café). When the three Mongol girls received their orders, one of the girls asked her to move, as there were three of them and one of her. When she politely refused, the girl took hold of her arm, leaned over and whispered something in her ear and smiled. The western lady visibly shaken, got up and left. The three girls again began laughing, speaking in Mongolian and enjoying themselves. The reason I am mentioning this, is that it is universal amongst Mongolian women that there is not only a "green light" on western women, they are expected to harass them at every given turn. It was quite sad, however, I have seen this scenario so many times I have become numb.
I would also comment that “Lance Blastoff” is correct that Mongolian women expect their men to be “tough”. In our PC culture, we would not think of putting our hands on our spouse no matter what the offence. However, if you are a Mongolian man, living in a ger, and your wife did not have dinner prepared upon your return home, she would expect to be disciplined by her husband. This discipline could be accomplished by either be sitting her in a chair and chastising her verbally, or lashed. Mongolian women are high-spirited and will challenge their husbands, however, if the husband is unable to curb this behavior verbally, then he is expected to do so physically (generally taking a stick and beating her across the back until she submits). This sounds brutal by western standards, however is an accepted and much needed method in maintaining order in a Mongolian home. To reiterate, a western husband would never conceive of such a thing, therefore, it would not be long before his Mongolian bride were to begin becoming nonresponsive to him or looking outward for a “real man”.
Robert High Hawk you said it best, enjoy all that Mongolia has to offer, always consider yourself an outsider (short-timer), never allow a Mongolian woman to remain in your company long enough to become possessive. Believe me when I say there is nothing more volatile, than a possessive, jealous Mongolian woman. These women are unbelievably beautiful and with their wild-spirit, makes them intoxicating. However, always maintain a comfortable distance and learn how to move on – you will thank me later.
(This post was last modified: 01-20-2017 07:11 PM by SHAWNFLYNN.)
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