Handy Tips and Advice

This may be your first time in meeting a woman online, or you may have done it before. We have interviewed numerous men, conducted strict due diligence with the women and local agencies, and have compiled a list we hope will prove beneficial in your research for meeting and conducting a relationship with single Ukrainian women.

Even if you are an old hand at this, it's never too late to learn something new.

Getting started...

• Do the research
• Many men jump into international dating feet-first without doing the appropriate research. By exploring the available content online, you will be able to fully understand what is involved in international dating, besides the fun stuff. Even the romance, however, requires a bit of knowledge.
  
  This will show her that you really are interested, and also may save you from making a gaffe. Always remember that this woman was raised in a totally different culture than our own. Obviously, it is in your best interest to know as much as possible about that culture.
• Look for red flags or fraudulent behaviour
• Many companies and websites conduct fraudulent behaviour and can cause major problems in your life. A high quality, legitimate website will have basic contact information in very easy-to-find locations, often on every page. You should always ignore a site that avoids posting its phone number, pricing, and address clearly. Transparency is key to a strong company, so avoid services that are unclear about their prices and contact information.
  
  Before joining a site, look for red flags that may suggest fraudulent activity, and report any that you find to www.agencyscams.com An example of a red flag would include the company keeping their phone number and office address off of their website.
• Plan to visit the Ukraine and be open about it
• It's quite important to plan where you are interested in visiting. When a woman sees that you are planning on visiting her area on a specific date in the future, she will be more inclined to speak with you. She will feel more confident that you will actually come to visit and have an opportunity to meet up in person. Many men get too involved in letter writing and never commit themselves enough to travel overseas. If you decide where you plan to visit and have that posted on your profile, you will probably receive more responses.
• Decide on critical factors and be honest about what you are looking for
• When you are exploring the profiles keep your critical factors in mind. Before joining a site, think long and hard about the critical factors that effect major parts of your life. Even if that twenty-two year old looks like a model, she might not want kids. If you do want kids, there is really no reason to communicate with her in the first place.
  
  Don’t give in to the urge to lie about yourself. This may increase your chances of meeting someone, but in the end will hurt both of you when the truth comes out. You’ll end up attracting women that are not compatible with you. From your feelings about love and relationships to your opinions about movies and music, you should always give honest answers to questions and respond naturally.
  
  Also, best be honest about your physical appearance. Send "true to life" photographs and explain how you really look. If your communication eventually leads to a meeting, she will find out the truth eventually.
  
  Don't reject an interesting woman because she does not speak English. Most agencies offer translation services both textual and auditory. Most women from the Ukraine are very keen to learn English, and anyway, learning a new language for you can be fun! Learning a new language expands your horizons, makes you more accessible, and also makes you more intelligent. With so many different personalities in the world, it would be a shame to pass up your perfect fit because of a language barrier.
• Don't have unrealistic expectations
• When you join an introduction service, you will not necessarily meet the love of your life in the first week. If you discover someone interesting right off, wonderful, but the norm is that it takes time, so look through all the profile and don't narrow your focus. The beauty of online dating is that you can explore without making any commitments.
• Communicating is key
• By communicating consistently your personalities and preferences will arise and interact. This way, you will get a feeling about whether or not there is chemistry between the two of you. Attempt to speak quite early on in the process. Getting to know her voice and the way she talks is important in understanding her manner and personality.
  
  Keep your options open and continue to browse around even if you meet someone you like. Expand and narrow your search, as you further understand what you like and dislike about the women you are communicating with. The more you focus your search with honesty, the quicker you will find a compatible match for love.
• Do include a photo of yourself when setting up your profile
• And not just any photo! Something that makes you unique. A picture really does speak a thousand words, so make it relevant and let it show who you really are. Example - if you are the outdoors type you may want to take it while hiking or biking.
  
  When compiling your profile you need to put some time and thought into setting yourself apart from other male applicants on the site. Describe yourself and your interests honestly and openly. Why would you want to lie? You’re going to meet her and deceit will soon come out. The point is to give the women the best possible representation of yourself.
• When responding to a nudge or letter make it personal
• Try including a little something extra to let her know the essence of who you are. The idea is to try and distinguish your response from others.
• Remember when writing your email that English is not her first language
• Although we use translators it is still best to keep it simple and direct to ensure a better communication experience. Try to avoid using four or five-syllable words, cultural humour (humour is different across cultures and can be misunderstood) Wait until you know her first. Don't try and impress her, be yourself. After all, you want someone to like you as you are. If sending posted letters through the agency make sure you neatly print, do not use cursive. Handwriting can be difficult to read so rather type it on your computer and print it out.
• Keep your initial correspondence fast paced
• You don't want to be discussing things like marriage and what your children might look like in your first letter! You may want to tell her a little about yourself, where you were raised, and what schools you have attended. Write a little about your interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes. Basically, just write about things that you would normally talk about on a first date.
• Make sure you ask her plenty of questions about herself in your first letter
• People like to know that others are interested in them and their activities. By asking questions about her she will think that you are interested in her as a person and she will want to respond to you immediately. Even though you both have a profile up on the site, it becomes more personal when corresponding.
• Don't place unrealistic expectations on her
• Don't expect to approach this process any differently than you would a normal date or romantic situation. These women are just as interested in meeting someone great as you are. Determine your most important factors and differentiate between expectations that are realistic and those that are unrealistic. Don't end a good relationship because of them.
• Give her time to get to know you
• This will enhance your chances of developing a strong relationship. Instead of pressuring a woman to like you, let her get to know you at her own pace. You can come off as desperate or even rude when pushing yourself into someone's life. If you really like someone, take your time, be confident, not too desperate for attention and remain open in your communication.
• Enjoy yourself, have fun and explore your options
• This is supposed to be a fun experience! While taking time to seriously find a partner for your life, you will also be able to have quite a bit of fun. The options may feel endless as you browse through thousands of people you have the ability to communicate with. If you don’t enjoy yourself as you browse and communicate you might come off as a negative person when writing letters or talking over the phone. Dating should be an enjoyable experience that makes you want to return.
• Do not write obsessively to anyone
• No matter who they are or what they find interest in, they will be turned off by someone sending them five letters every day. If you think you are at risk of overdoing it, try and gauge your own actions by observing hers. If she waits a day or two to reply to your letter, wait a day or two to reply to hers. You essentially want to avoid scaring her away. Sending letters obsessively not only seems creepy to many women, but women will also see this as a sign of weakness or desperation. If you are interested in somebody, give it time! If she is truly the love of your life, she will not just disappear.
• Do not immediately dismiss a woman simply due to a difference in age
• Even though a woman is older or younger than you does not mean she is not meant for you. Because people mature at different ages and grow with different experiences, a twenty-three year old woman might be perfect for a thirty-eight year old man. It all depends on the individual people within the situation. Any two people can be meant for each other and age should not be a factor in love unless it is over a thirty or forty year gap.
• Do Not Send Money!!!
• Just like anywhere, there are honest people and there are dishonest people. The point of your correspondence is to develop a special relationship with your potential Ukraine bride, not to purchase one.
  
  We interview and select our ladies through a strict selection process, and they in turn are told not to request money from any male applicant. There are instances where there may be a valid reason to send money to someone with whom you have been corresponding for some time, and may have already met. In that instance it is recommended that you send it via wire (Western Union).

Travelling and Visiting

• Meeting your lady for the first time
• Should you get to the point that you want to visit the woman or women you are corresponding with, we strongly recommend that you consider a Romance tour. Travelling abroad can be different and more dangerous than domestic travel. With a Romance Tour all you have to worry about is meeting the woman you are interested in, with a local agency on hand to answer questions and take care of details. You can then focus on your first meeting. It may be beneficial to arrange to meet more than 1 lady during your time in the Ukraine to make the best use of your time there.
• Look for a common ground when you meet someone new
• In order to spark a conversation, discover something you have in common and try and get her to open up about it. Through a common interest, you can get to better know each other's mannerisms, opinions and personalities. It helps to talk about a subject you know a lot about, but don't bore her with your favourite hobby unless you feel she is also interested in the subject.
• Have a confident demeanour
• Confidence is king! Just because you are visiting another country doesn't mean you have to sit back and let your date make all of the decisions. Do a little research beforehand, or talk to your travel service, and find some cool places to go on a date. When you get together, let her know what the plans are. This way, you can emit confidence in every way possible.
• Be aware of indirect signals of interest
• For example, one of the most important aspects of communication with a date is body language. If you notice your date playing with her hair, subtly touching your arm or leg, and leaning in towards you, you can be pretty confident that she is interested in you. If she is very reserved in her movements, staying back in her chair, keeping her arms crossed, and not smiling, she is probably not very interested.
  
  Reading body language will not tell you definitively if she likes you or not, but it can definitely lead you in one direction or another. Remember that your own body language will affect things as well. Make sure you show interest with more than just your words by using your own form of body language.
• Listen well and participate
• Don’t be nervous and overwhelmed. Treat this as a date in your own home country. People worldwide have the same needs, even if they come from a different culture. You have nothing to lose, and the women who attend are just as interested in meeting you as you are in meeting them. Don’t think too much, try to relax and just enjoy the social environment. Listen carefully, ask questions, and feel free to express your true feelings. Think less about finding love and more about meeting new, interesting people. If you can just be yourself, you will present yourself accurately and will have a better chance of finding a compatible life-long partner.
• Do not ignore your gut feelings
• As you meet your special lady, or others, you will find characteristics about each that you will either like or dislike, but that doesn't mean they aren't right for you. If you meet someone and have a gut feeling that the chemistry works, don't just walk away because of some small detail you don't like. Just because a woman does not follow a certain career path or have certain interests does not mean she isn't the love of your life. On the contrary, having different interests will allow you and your partner to expand each other's horizons over time. In other words, a gut feeling can be more than just a feeling sometimes. If you find yourself drawn to someone, explore the possibilities! You will have nothing to lose.
• Keep the agency involved in dating locations
• Do not let your date control the meeting arrangements. Because you are the one in the foreign country, you are the one at risk. If you end up in a situation where your date brings along a bunch of friends or meets you in a place where she is more comfortable than you, there is a risk that you may end up alone and unsure of your surroundings. Keep the agency involved in the choices of location for dates.
• Avoid performing an "interview" when you meet a new woman
• Even though you are enjoying the trip in order to ascertain whether you are compatible, you should be sensitive to her mindset and that she is not there to please you and fill your requirements. Although it's important to learn her views on critical factors like marriage, you don't need to force that information out of her. Instead of drilling them her questions, focus on getting involved in a comfortable conversation. Court her, as Ukrainian women have a great sense of romance. You are attempting to spark interest, show her you are interested in her personality and allow the conversation to flow naturally. Time will tell if you are a match.
• Make good use of the translator
• Language interpretation can be a huge part of the international dating experience, but knowing how to use it properly is half the battle. When utilizing a translator, you should always use an interpreter that comes recommended by the agency and with whom you feel comfortable. Request another one if you aren’t happy.
• Avoid shopping dates
• It will imply something about the relationship that you both probably want to avoid. You will be hurting yourself by either insulting a woman you are interested in or attracting a woman who is only interested in your money. If you avoid shopping dates you will spend your time together talking and getting to know one-another's personalities. By showering her with empty gifts, she will get an incorrect perception of your personality and will expect that kind of treatment in the future. This kind of situation is bad for everyone involved.
• Avoid the "rescue" mentality
• Women in the Ukraine have very different lives to those in a Western culture. Through the communication process you may find aspects of her life experience may make you feel sympathetic. Ukrainian women are not as materialistic as Western women and don’t need to be wooed with constant gifts. It is true that they may find life in a western country gives them more opportunity to spread their wings, but this doesn’t mean they need to be rescued.
• Do not judge and make assumptions
• Simply observe. In order to get to know these women, you must take time to listen to them. Instead of immediately walking away once you find out something you don't like, take the time to understand where they are coming from. Observe the type of person she is and don't push her to be who you want her to be. One of the best parts about dating is meeting people who are different than you. A lot of people limit their search to people who are just like them, but this is a major mistake. To grow and learn throughout life, we must explore other people's perspectives and opinions. With this in mind, focus on learning about who these women are and you will be able to better decipher who is truly compatible with you.
• If you have met and want to marry
• Should you get to the point of wanting to marry the Ukraine woman you feel is the ONE, we recommend that you research the rights of both parties through the immigration website of your country of origin so there are no bad surprises. We have cursory information on immigration laws and various visas, however this information is intended to serve as an introduction only and should be supplemented by the information on the official website or through an attorney.
• Be patient
• Consider for a moment how long you have been searching for that perfect mate: ten, twenty, even thirty years? This is an important process and the results of the decision that you make will be far reaching and long lasting. Take the time to correspond with many different women before committing to that special one. One of the key features of our service is that we are continuously updating our service with new women, thus giving you new choices on an almost daily basis. This is probably one of the most important decisions that you will ever make, so please be patient, be thorough, and most of all, enjoy the process!
• Conclusion
• As you can see, meeting online and building a relationship with an international person requires a lot of consideration. To participate successfully requires a lot of research and even more patience. Some people get lucky and meet someone right away, but most take their time until they discover someone just right. Either way, international dating brings happiness and comfort to thousands of people around the world each year.
  
  Although dangers do exist, there are also simple precautions you can take to avoid them. By educating yourself, you will more clearly understand the problems that can arise within this process and be able to avoid them confidently. By taking the time to understand the undertaking, you are increasing your chances of finding true love through international dating.
• Risks and responsibilities
• Most services like to paint the best picture possible about what they offer, whether international dating services, conducting online relationships or providing marriage services.
  
  However, there is always an element of risk, as with any relationship, domestic or foreign. It pays to help minimize those risks. Even with all the precautions we take to ensure you have an enjoyable safe experience it still pays to be fully informed and aware of the red flags.
  
  It’s a shame we have to waste our time on people who have a different agenda and are only interested in gaining money or favours instead of finding someone for a long and lasting relationship. These types of people will always exist. Even though they are few and far between, you should be aware of them and some of the common ploys they may use.
  
  

  Some of the common ways of asking for money

  • Play on your sympathy, kindness or generosity - my mother, brother, father, great uncle, cat or dog, is very sick and needs some kind of operation and/or medicine right away. (plays on your sympathy, kindness, and generosity).
  • I already have a visa and I can come to visit you if you will send me the money for the airline tickets. You can only apply for a visa if you have an invitation from your potential spouse and all the correct paperwork, including a letter form our agency.
  • I do not have a visa but if you send me x amount of dollars I can obtain one and then I will pay my own airfare. Tourist Visas are very difficult to come by and throwing money at it won’t make a difference.
  • I only need $50.00 or so a month for an E-mail account so I can write to you. (Sounds innocuous enough, however if 10 to 15 men are sending $50.00 each, that can add up to quite a bit).
  • I need x amount of dollars for English lessons so I can speak with you. See number 4. Also, our agency provides translators.
  • I need x amount of dollars to have your letters translated or my letters to you translated. See number 4.
  Again, the above are intended to be red flags only. If the woman you are corresponding with has expressed any of the above to you or something similar, it does not automatically mean there is a problem. Much of this depends on the situation.
  • Have you met her face to face?
  • How long have you known her?
  • Have you met her family?
  Obviously, the better you know someone the less chance of their being a problem, but it does pay to keep your common sense about you. The safest course of action is to simply never send money to a woman you have not met face to face.
• The Visa process
• It is very difficult for most people, especially younger women who reside in Russia and other CIS countries, to obtain a tourist visa, business visa or most other visas to the US as well as some other countries. Fiancée Visas can be obtained, normally with no problem. However, one of the conditions is that you must have met face to face sometime within the last two years. A tourist Visa is not expensive, less than $100.00, but it is very difficult to obtain. Thus, be very careful of anyone who tells you they can obtain a visa via a third party for a certain amount of money.
• Whenever possible travel with a friend
• It is much riskier travelling half-way around the world to meet just one person than traveling with a friend or group. Keep in mind that things can and often are quite different once you meet in person, regardless of the phone calls and letters. A funny little thing called chemistry takes over and anything can and does happen. When you are with a friend or group, or the local agency representative you are insulated, and even if things do not work out with the women you had been corresponding with you will have support.
• Don’t try to take short cuts
• Most of the problems we have seen over the years are the result of men trying to go around the "system", and sending money to women whom they have never met before and know little about. She may tell you that she can fly over and see you the next week once she receives the money. It is tempting, but rarely happens. The prudent thing to do is to go over, meet her through the local agency, and get to know as much about her as possible prior to purchasing any tickets for her or sending any money.
• Use your local agency to guide you through the process
• We are very experienced and we understand how such things as the visa process, E-mail and translation accounts, and medical procedures function overseas. Please E-mail us whenever you think there may be a problem and we will, at the very least, give you our opinion as to what we think of the situation.
  
  When you start corresponding with Ukrainian women and then Chat Live with them or visit, sooner or later you will start noticing little unusual things. Sometimes you just let them go but some things might really bother you. What is right and what is wrong? Although you might be willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a lady you really like, it is nice to know in advance what surprises to expect from differences in culture.
• Beautiful Ukrainian women
• It is important for Ukrainian ladies to look good and you can see on the photos that they take good care of themselves. Many men think they cannot be real. Believe us, they are! Ukrainian woman usually also have strong family values and a take caring for a husband very seriously. They are not a “brash” as Western women.
• Terminology and language
• A Ukrainian lady may sound blunt on the phone or in verbal discussions. Remember that a lady is using her limited English, and she is limited by her inexperience to making only very simple sentences and most likely she would omit all the polite words like “Thank you”, “I appreciate it” etc.. because Ukrainians do not use them as often as Westerners do. That is why our translators often have to interpret the situation and context and add the missing words so that a gentleman can perceive the lady’s true intention.
• Some words can’t be translated into Ukrainian
• Many words cannot be translated into different language word for word. The expression ‘I love you” has a profound meaning in the Russian and Ukrainian language. You can love your parents, your children, and your husband. But you can hardly love a man you have been corresponding with. If you do not hear these words from a lady you correspond or chat with, do not worry. These words are very special to her and she will say them only at the right time and in the right context for her culture.
• Smiling and facial expressions
• Ukrainian women do not smile as often as people in Western countries, and often jopke that they have to be reminded to smile when taking photos. Ukrainians have a great sense of humour which can be different to a Western sense of humour.
• Singular and plural you and you
• In Russian and Ukrainian languages (like in French) there are two forms for the second person greeting – it could be in singular or in plural.
  • You use singular “you” when you address a child or a person who is very close to you.
  • You use plural “you” when you address a person whom you hardly know (a stranger in the street) or when you want to emphasize your respect to this person. At the same it makes it sound more distant.
  or example when you just got acquainted with a lady and chat with her, you address her “you” in plural (“Vy”) When your relationship has developed, you call her “You” (“ty”). And when you come to meet her parents, you call them “You” (“Vy”) again.
• Treating elders
• You might have noticed that Ukrainians have greater distance between the generations, mainly because of the special respect for elders. When you address authorities or parents of your bride, you always use father’s name with the first name. For example: Anna Vasilyevna (“Anna daughter of Vasily”), and Tatiana Grigorievna (“Tatiana daughter of Grigori”). Grandparents usually keep very close relationships with the grandchildren and children, and support them in many ways. At a family dinner you will often see several generations at the table.
• Treating men
• A man for Ukrainians is head of the family, the main provider and protector. You might notice that Ukrainian men try to behave in a macho type whose authority is never to be doubted.
• Treating women
• Ukrainian women are attractive, sincere, hardworking, patient and very loving. It is often felt (and voiced by many) that they deserve a better attitude from Ukrainian men.
• Treating children
• In Ukraine it is usually mom’s responsibility to take care for the kids and fathers who check homework, play football, and go fishing with their children are rare and precious exceptions. Ukrainian women love the fact that Western men seem to play a more active role in the upbringing of children.
• Meeting people
• While North Americans like to hug when meeting people, Ukrainians often kiss. Kissing a lady on the cheek at your first meeting is fine. Holding hands is something very personal and romantic. Another traditional way of walking for a man and woman is when a woman puts her hand around the man’s arm. Although it sounds unusual, it is standard practices.
• Courting and gifts
• Traditionally after a date in Ukraine a gentleman takes a lady home. If he cannot do so, he calls a taxi and pays for the ride home. Sometimes when he wants to be really nice he pays for both ways. If a lady comes to meet you from a different city, it is also nice of you to offer her to help with the transport expenses.
  
  Everybody likes to receive gifts, and Ukrainian women are no exception. When sending your thoughtful gifts to ladies, please do remember the saying “it is the thought that counts”. Do not send extra expensive gifts to a person you have never seen. But remembering about your lady’s birthday, or special occasion would be very thoughtful.
• Attitudes towards space
• The traditional American “give me some space” might be difficult in Ukraine. Apartments are smaller, the public transportation is overcrowded and very often you will find people being closer to you than you like. That is OK. You could always use taxis for transportation since the ride is usually very inexpensive (only a few dollars for a short ride). When you come to meet your lady, choose to rent a personal apartment. This gives you more time and space to spend with her.
• Smoking and drinking alcohol
• Unfortunately it is legal in Ukraine to sell alcohol and cigarettes in ordinary stores and even little kiosks on the street. Drinking alcohol and smoking in public places is also legal, although some people might frown on that. Being exposed from an early age to smoking and drinking, Ukrainians do in fact smoke and drink more than average Westerners. Unfortunately it is still considered "cool" for teenagers to smoke.
• Internet International Dating
• Although more people have access to the Internet in the Ukraine nowadays and many people get acquainted locally with the help of Internet, International Internet dating is still treated with doubt. Lack of knowledge and fear in meeting potential partners from overseas can be nerve racking. Be sensitive to this.

We wish you the very best of luck on your exciting journey to romance!