Depending on how young the lady you like is and where she grew up (in a western country or somewhere in Russia, Belarus or Ukraine), she will behave more or less like the typical Slavic woman. Girls who grew up in Western countries may behave similarly to Western women. But if she finished school in post-USSR countries, she will definitely have some specific expectations that you need to consider in approaching her.
1. Get dressed.
A well-dressed man is a welcome sight for most women. But the dating rulebook for Slavic women has a special place for a stylish man, as Russian and Ukrainian ladies love to dress up. If you look sloppy, she won’t feel comfortable and she may decide that you are not a suitable match. Wearing a jacket, nice pants, and a collared shirt and lace-up shoes will make you look more attractive to women of Slavic origin.
2. Bring flowers.
Most Westerners think it’s too much to give a woman flowers on the first date. But if a woman is from the former USSR, she expects it as a necessary gesture of adherence to the ritual of courtly courtship (as opposed to a guy simply trying to hit on her). FSU dating culture still insists that a man bring a bouquet for a lady on the first date, or she’ll think he doesn’t respect her. How to know if the Slavic girl you are dating is expecting flowers from a man? Ask her if she likes flowers. If she says “Of course!”, then ask her what kind of flowers she likes. If she can give you an instant answer, she’s definitely into “flower dating culture” and you can bring a bouquet of pretty flowers. (Of course, if she says she doesn’t like flowers, there’s no need to).
3. Cut her.
Courting means taking care of your girl on a date as if she were a delicate lady: open doors, move chairs, offer your hand when she gets out of a car, hold her coat for her to enter. Things gentlemen used to do for their ladies in the 1950s. (Ask your grandmother if you’re having trouble understanding what it’s all about.) These little gestures are still in fashion among Slavic girls and she will be very impressed as most westerners don’t do it. That’s a sure way to separate yourself from all the other guys trying to woo her.
4. Make decisions.
Every Slavic girl wants to meet a “real man”. What does she mean by that? Someone who is decisive and confident. This means booking a restaurant (you can even find a good Russian restaurant, she’ll approve), deciding what to do before and after, asking her what she’s going to eat before the waiter comes and orders for her, and so on. She wants to feel like she can just relax and trust you. That is what Slavic women look for in a partner.
5. Choose the ticket.
If you offer to split the costs, this will be the last time you see your Slavic girl. In Russia and the Ukraine, men still pay for dates; furthermore, a Russian guy would feel insulted if a woman offered to go halfway, as if she thought he was not a “real man”.
If you follow these 5 simple tips, your dates with Slavic ladies will definitely go more smoothly.