Interesting Dinner: How to Impress the Russian Family
Well, last night I learned just what constitutes 'suave' in meeting the Russian family.
My g/f's sister's boyfriend (who is a couple years older than me and I happen to remember is married, or I think he is still married as I haven't heard otherwise) decided to drop by while we were all having a 'family dinner' (that's family and a couple of friends).
Now...I like people and it's not my business what they do with their lives as long as they don't let those things effect me (even inadvertently).
Actually, I found the guy interesting. As it was, I was being kept there, while I didn't feel well at all, just so that I could meet him--as if I would suddenly approve of the situation. [Again note: I don't approve of the situation...of course. Still, as above, it's not my business, I made my statement and it's no longer open for discussion. Besides, who's to say that it won't work out or whatever...it's not for me to worry about.]
Anyway, I liked the guy himself although I really don't know him. He had met everyone but me and on other girl already. Apparently he had even been to my apartment while I was in Sweden--there Sky gets a little annoyed as I'm a private person.
So...here is what I observed that was interesting:
Overall, his way of impressing everyone wasn't really different from most other men here. I'm quite certain that while he's quite proud of his possessions, he's also in debt--a growing Russian trend with European, American, and even Russian banks more than happy to help out with. He is nice but jokes too much...to a level that shows that he either just jokes too much or isn't comfortable with the situation and is trying to comfort himself. He did speak a few English words, but was told well in advance that I understood him even if I didn't speak (I'm sure that's a tough one).
He was certainly right in working harder to impress the girls (being the family and their friends) than me.
Adversely, it was the same with the girls (only one is over 23 years old--mom--and so their girls). When he called and heard that they were having dinner with us, he decided to come. This left everyone cleaning things and dressing better than they were--except me, who was sitting in pain and trying to laugh. [Pain here was due to all the food of the day and then adding a substance called: PORK. I do well enough, but I rarely eat the stuff in the last two years, where before that was 7 years of eating NONE. It creates a situation, but I explained that already and held to manners of eating both the pork and chicken as it's presented on my plate].
I was thinking...did they do this crazy cleaning and dressing crap for me? I hope not. I'm sure that my girlfriend did, but the chances of impressing me when I first came would have been a bit slim. I was happy to just have a bed really, but before I came I was pretty spoiled.
So...it was all in all quite interesting and lasted a little longer than it needed to.
The green Turkmen tea was nice for the stomach, although it was a little more grassy than the last we had. (He complained about that to and the mother agreed that it wasn't the best and had a smell of something--I knew the word, just forgot. Actually it smelled a little like old hay in barn, but I try to complain later and not about national foods, besides, they forget that I know about things like that.]
We got a ride in the French-mobile. Girls talking about how fast the trip was (2 empty streets, tough work for speed but they don't drive so their easy to impress).
Again, like I said, I like the guy. He seemed OK. I'm just not as easily impressed and found that it just lead me to evaluation of the situation and actions.
I would look at the above and say that maybe I was "threatened by the presence of another male in my group of women and my family"...but no. I already have the better of the two sisters and when they need someone to carry all of their crap around or whatever they can just ask him. :-)
Too bad he's married and can't do all of those responsibilities (that I don't want) FULL TIME. :-)
[Like housing his girlfriend and her mother for 2 to 3 months while their new apartment is being finished.]
My g/f's sister's boyfriend (who is a couple years older than me and I happen to remember is married, or I think he is still married as I haven't heard otherwise) decided to drop by while we were all having a 'family dinner' (that's family and a couple of friends).
Now...I like people and it's not my business what they do with their lives as long as they don't let those things effect me (even inadvertently).
Actually, I found the guy interesting. As it was, I was being kept there, while I didn't feel well at all, just so that I could meet him--as if I would suddenly approve of the situation. [Again note: I don't approve of the situation...of course. Still, as above, it's not my business, I made my statement and it's no longer open for discussion. Besides, who's to say that it won't work out or whatever...it's not for me to worry about.]
Anyway, I liked the guy himself although I really don't know him. He had met everyone but me and on other girl already. Apparently he had even been to my apartment while I was in Sweden--there Sky gets a little annoyed as I'm a private person.
So...here is what I observed that was interesting:
- The guy made jokes about most everything (as I might to keep things comfortable).
- When he was offered food or whatever he still just joked and even complained about food as if it were somewhat less than he would normally eat. [My parents taught me to say that I liked it and swallow it even if it was putrid and poisonous...'you just have to try it and be polite.']
They asked about things that he should know about and he answered (always trying to include some humour/humor, even if not really funny).- He was asked about his pet and the size of his flat and even his car, he answered as he's proud to have all, as many Russians are. [He drives a French car...something I won't own as I have me poor French representation in the last 5 years or so who believe that anything not French isn't good enough to wipe their collective asses with--I can't appreciate anyone more arrogant than myself, let alone support their economy or buy their cars that don't really support Russian economy either.]
Overall, his way of impressing everyone wasn't really different from most other men here. I'm quite certain that while he's quite proud of his possessions, he's also in debt--a growing Russian trend with European, American, and even Russian banks more than happy to help out with. He is nice but jokes too much...to a level that shows that he either just jokes too much or isn't comfortable with the situation and is trying to comfort himself. He did speak a few English words, but was told well in advance that I understood him even if I didn't speak (I'm sure that's a tough one).
He was certainly right in working harder to impress the girls (being the family and their friends) than me.
Adversely, it was the same with the girls (only one is over 23 years old--mom--and so their girls). When he called and heard that they were having dinner with us, he decided to come. This left everyone cleaning things and dressing better than they were--except me, who was sitting in pain and trying to laugh. [Pain here was due to all the food of the day and then adding a substance called: PORK. I do well enough, but I rarely eat the stuff in the last two years, where before that was 7 years of eating NONE. It creates a situation, but I explained that already and held to manners of eating both the pork and chicken as it's presented on my plate].
I was thinking...did they do this crazy cleaning and dressing crap for me? I hope not. I'm sure that my girlfriend did, but the chances of impressing me when I first came would have been a bit slim. I was happy to just have a bed really, but before I came I was pretty spoiled.
So...it was all in all quite interesting and lasted a little longer than it needed to.
The green Turkmen tea was nice for the stomach, although it was a little more grassy than the last we had. (He complained about that to and the mother agreed that it wasn't the best and had a smell of something--I knew the word, just forgot. Actually it smelled a little like old hay in barn, but I try to complain later and not about national foods, besides, they forget that I know about things like that.]
We got a ride in the French-mobile. Girls talking about how fast the trip was (2 empty streets, tough work for speed but they don't drive so their easy to impress).
Again, like I said, I like the guy. He seemed OK. I'm just not as easily impressed and found that it just lead me to evaluation of the situation and actions.
I would look at the above and say that maybe I was "threatened by the presence of another male in my group of women and my family"...but no. I already have the better of the two sisters and when they need someone to carry all of their crap around or whatever they can just ask him. :-)
Too bad he's married and can't do all of those responsibilities (that I don't want) FULL TIME. :-)
[Like housing his girlfriend and her mother for 2 to 3 months while their new apartment is being finished.]