Ten years ago I came to Russia to live and work. Two years later I thought I'd found my Russian soul mate, so we got married and now I am the proud father of a beautiful daughter. After years of struggling with raising a child, in cooperation with the intrusive involvement of the mighty Babushka, I longed for the company of a calm and understanding Englishwoman. I thought that was what I really needed: someone who could understand my dry sense of humour, who had excellent English manners, someone with a similar education yet would happily talk about the weather. Eventually, however, I realized that I didn't really know what I wanted in a woman. Did I want an honest, down to earth, English career woman or an engaging, crafty, feminine, domesticated Russian woman? Russians say that all women are crafty - I beg to differ.
These days I rarely come into contact with English women in Moscow, but those I do meet are pleasant, polite and chatty. Socialising with Russian women however is a different ball game altogether. There is always that underlying sexual tension in the air. So what I am trying to say is that I married a Russian woman but I have a beautiful Siberian girlfriend too. "You cheating bastard!" I hear all you western women shout. From Russian women, I hear the fatalistic, "It happens. All men are the same." Maybe I am wrong, but having an affair here is no big deal, so much so that I don't even mind writing about it (I just hope to God my wife doesn't read this!). For the average heterosexual male, the temptation is simply too great. As any male knows only too well, there are always plenty of beautiful Russian women strutting their stuff up & down the Old Arbat. You'd have to be blind not to engage one in conversation.
The truth is that most western women have simply lost their femininity. Too consumed with consumer goods, TV soaps and climbing that career ladder. When was the last time you saw Josephine Bloggs from London in a frilly skirt, painted nails, red lipstick and black stockings? "I shouldn't have to tart myself up; you should love me the way I am!" Don't get me wrong ladies, I love English women (they certainly know how to raise children, by the way) but where's the crime in wearing a sexy pair of suzzies to spice up your sex life? "Russian women wear so much make up" No, it's just that most Russian women take more time in dressing to impress. Trainers, tracksuits and baggy T-shirts simply do not get me going. Give me a woman in a figure-hugging dress and stilettos any day of the week. My Siberian girlfriend dresses in a feminine way, sexy bras (or no bra in summer) and open crotch panties for those 'spontaneous moments.' She knows what I like! I don't make any untoward demands on her (she's married too, by the way) and we simply enjoy each other's company. Is that a sin? Is it a crime? My wife is content with her life: shopping, working late, shopping, business trips abroad and more shopping. We both love our daughter dearly and take her abroad at least twice a year.
The English are simply too stuffy when it comes to sex. You wouldn't eat only one type of candy in the sweetshop, so why do we make love to only one partner for most of our lives? I'm not for a minute suggesting that those of you who are happily married go chasing members of the opposite sex, but if you should meet someone who feels the same about you, well, you decide what to do.
By James Scott The Moscow News
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