Russian Wife

 

Although they are occasionally successful, Russian-American marriages have a lot of huddles to be overcome. It is imperative to be prepared to deal with these challenges instead of expecting paradise of a marriage.  Innumerable things may prove challenging in the marriage and it may be hard to predict all of them. Nonetheless, here are some main challenges you should expect to get from your Russian wife: 

1. Being told by your Russian wife what to do and having over `motherly’ characters

The Russian women have high respect for their husbands and men who are considered to be the heads of the household. Nevertheless, the Russian culture lets the women treat men as if they are babies and its no big deal.  They fix their ties when they are going to work, pack for them when travelling and in case the woman will be going on a trip, she will ensure to make several lunch and dinners such that the husband will not die of hunger when she is away. When you are sick, she will be looming around you and asking what you need after every 10 minutes. She will also be bringing you herbal teas and chicken soup regardless whether you have asked for them or not. These are the right characters of a wife according to the Russian culture so you should not take it personally in case your wife is treating you like a kid.

2.Your Russian wife spends a lot of time fixing up her hair, applying make up and dressing up daily including the times when she is not going out

Although many women soon get Americanized and start wearing lighter clothing, the Russian women are taught right from childhood that they are supposed to look pretty always. They invest a lot of effort to achieve this goal.

3. She is having problem understanding you although she seemed to have good level of grammar when you were corresponding

The spoken language is different from the written. Many people are capable of writing but fail to have the required fluency when speaking. She may have a good understanding of the written language but she may have problems understanding the American language especially slang. It will take her some time before she fully switches from British to American English.

4. The Russian wife is dissatisfied with US and appears discontented and homesick
It’s common for immigrants to grow home sick and discontented in the beginning. Complaining about the country is the only way that makes them feel better hence you should be ready for that. I recall the way I used to complain about food and talk about the cooking of my grandmother. I also criticized the manner people talked and dressed. I hated the small talk since it is not present in our culture. I loathed people I knew well that did not care about my welfare when they sought to know how I was doing. Each time I got engaged in a conversation I started `But my country …’

Irrespective of what she says, do not take it personally. The complaints do not mean that she is discontented with you or the marriage. The Russians are patriots. They have extremely strong family and friendship ties. Regardless of how successful and happy your marriage will be, expect these flaws. Allow her some time and at long last she will finally be comfortable in your country as well.

In fact, many things which are a nuisance in the beginning of your marriage fade away after some time and you even start writing about the issues in articles like this to help others challenged by the same cultural difference stigma overcome them.