CurlyDarling
11-23-2009, 05:44 PM
Gorgeous Russian girls have become a dating site cliche, but what about the guys? According to the owners of the ultra-exclusive Beautiful People dating site, it's not good news.
Just 9 per cent of Russian men applying to join the site - which aims to connect the world's best-looking people on the shallow but successful basis of appearance alone - get the thumbs up from existing members.
Only Poland matches that poor showing, though beer-bellied Brits fare little better with 12 per cent making the cut in the members' poll.
But are Russian men really as "extremely unattractive" as Beautiful People managing director Greg Hodge claims?
Lyudmila Zvezdova, organiser of Helloparty speed-dating evenings in Moscow, thinks not.
With Russian Romeos regularly coming to both English- and Russian-language events, she's seen how they shape up against international competition.
"According to the feedback we receive from our ‘daters' Russian men can successfully compete with their foreign rivals," she said. "But even at first sight you can easily distinguish Russians from non-Russians - both men and ladies."
Zvezdova also shoots down the claim that Russian men are poor communicators.
"They may appear to be less relaxed, or even shy, but they are sincere," she added. "You don't have that feeling that they have been prepared in advance or they are using the same ‘best practice' lines which brought results last time.
"If you feel a Russian man opening up to you, sharing emotions, trying to charm you, it is only for you - and that is what ladies appreciate the most."
Macho or metro?
Among other Russian women there was a debate about whether a man should be metrosexual or manly.
Katerina Ryabova welcomed the increased attention guys pay to their appearance and dress.
"I don't think our men are unattractive," she said. "If you look around on the metro of course you'll see mostly unattractive men, but in a good nightclub or a shopping centre you can meet lots of cute guys. Moreover, more and more men in Russia, especially in Moscow and Piter, are taking more care of themselves and becoming metrosexual."
But the same trend does not appeal to Lyudmila Kluyeva. "I think what women miss today is manliness," she said. "This strange fashion today to be so ‘gay' and metrosexual just gives the opposite effect. I think a lot of young girls think foreigners are better - but perhaps only because they haven't had a relationship with someone from another country."
Changing social attitudes also caused concerns.
Eleanora Gilyova felt that many women still believe a foreign man is a passport to a happier life, while "lazy" Russian men have reacted to feminism by shutting themselves off from relationships.
"Our men got used to women's new role and became more lazy, drank more and stopped taking responsibility," she said. "Most of them don't want to have a family, most of them are closed, and don't understand why they are living. Everything has changed in our Russian consciousness. Now there are not many real Russian men, or true kind, compassionate and forgiving Russian women."
But Irina Babayan was more optimistic, despite seeing the same demise of the ‘Russian Bogatyr' type of gallant, rugged, manly warrior ready to do his woman's bidding.
"Things have changed, but I don't think Russian men are unattractive," she said. "But the difference is that in many families it's the wife who is the ‘leader' now. Russian women are mostly much stronger now."
Andy Pott
Moscow News
Just 9 per cent of Russian men applying to join the site - which aims to connect the world's best-looking people on the shallow but successful basis of appearance alone - get the thumbs up from existing members.
Only Poland matches that poor showing, though beer-bellied Brits fare little better with 12 per cent making the cut in the members' poll.
But are Russian men really as "extremely unattractive" as Beautiful People managing director Greg Hodge claims?
Lyudmila Zvezdova, organiser of Helloparty speed-dating evenings in Moscow, thinks not.
With Russian Romeos regularly coming to both English- and Russian-language events, she's seen how they shape up against international competition.
"According to the feedback we receive from our ‘daters' Russian men can successfully compete with their foreign rivals," she said. "But even at first sight you can easily distinguish Russians from non-Russians - both men and ladies."
Zvezdova also shoots down the claim that Russian men are poor communicators.
"They may appear to be less relaxed, or even shy, but they are sincere," she added. "You don't have that feeling that they have been prepared in advance or they are using the same ‘best practice' lines which brought results last time.
"If you feel a Russian man opening up to you, sharing emotions, trying to charm you, it is only for you - and that is what ladies appreciate the most."
Macho or metro?
Among other Russian women there was a debate about whether a man should be metrosexual or manly.
Katerina Ryabova welcomed the increased attention guys pay to their appearance and dress.
"I don't think our men are unattractive," she said. "If you look around on the metro of course you'll see mostly unattractive men, but in a good nightclub or a shopping centre you can meet lots of cute guys. Moreover, more and more men in Russia, especially in Moscow and Piter, are taking more care of themselves and becoming metrosexual."
But the same trend does not appeal to Lyudmila Kluyeva. "I think what women miss today is manliness," she said. "This strange fashion today to be so ‘gay' and metrosexual just gives the opposite effect. I think a lot of young girls think foreigners are better - but perhaps only because they haven't had a relationship with someone from another country."
Changing social attitudes also caused concerns.
Eleanora Gilyova felt that many women still believe a foreign man is a passport to a happier life, while "lazy" Russian men have reacted to feminism by shutting themselves off from relationships.
"Our men got used to women's new role and became more lazy, drank more and stopped taking responsibility," she said. "Most of them don't want to have a family, most of them are closed, and don't understand why they are living. Everything has changed in our Russian consciousness. Now there are not many real Russian men, or true kind, compassionate and forgiving Russian women."
But Irina Babayan was more optimistic, despite seeing the same demise of the ‘Russian Bogatyr' type of gallant, rugged, manly warrior ready to do his woman's bidding.
"Things have changed, but I don't think Russian men are unattractive," she said. "But the difference is that in many families it's the wife who is the ‘leader' now. Russian women are mostly much stronger now."
Andy Pott
Moscow News