When drawing a picture of family happiness, have you always imagined that you will be met at home by your beautiful, caring, soulful and house-proud wife, who is fond of children? Then you have dreamed of a wife from Russia. Russian women are smart, intelligent, very faithful and extremely patient wives. Nowadays it is not that hard to find a Russian woman of your dreams. It is also realistic to arrange marriage with a foreigner and bring her to your country. However, no matter how beautiful our dreams are, we should be prepared for the realities to avoid disappointment. Just keep in mind several differences in behavior patterns typical of Russian and Western societies and do not take them personally.
 
So, do not be surprised if your Russian bride is like that:
1. She smiles too little. You will understand the reason why, if you see how many strangers there are in the streets of your bride's hometown. It is not customary to walk with smiles on your face in this country. Strangers smiling at you will be considered suspicious in Russia. If you smile at a passerby on the Russian street they would think that you are LAUGHIG at them rather than SMILING. Do you feel the difference?
2. She does not apologize. You are used to the fact that all people around apologize for the slightest inconvenience: if they stand in the way, happen to touch you accidentally or even just come too close. But an average Russian woman has no idea that such little things can be a reason for an apology. And how would you behave if you grew up in a country, where a passerby who happens to hit your shoulder on the go, can shout at you: “Where are you going? Are you blind or what?!!” Some Russians have this type of thinking: it is not THEY who cause inconvenience to other people, but others cause inconvenience to THEM.
3. She does not greet strangers.
In Russia, it is not customary to start a conversation with strangers. If you hear the dialogue "Hello, how are you", then the interlocutors must know each others’ names, at least. The Russians address strangers (sellers, refuellers, cashiers, bankers) only for the matter of their services. It is not a custom to ask a sales girl about how she is doing and that can be regarded as an attempt to strike up an acquaintance.
4. She jokes in a strange way. Please keep in mind that Russians often joke with completely serious faces. Just explain to the woman that if she wants to amuse others, she should laugh herself, to start with. Be prepared for the fact that your Russian wife sometimes will not understand your humor or will sit with a serious face while watching comic telecasts. You can’t do anything about it – just different mentality.
 
5. She does not regularly see doctors, let alone dentists.
In Russia it is not a common practice to regularly undergo preventive medical examinations. Many believe here that until nothing hurts, the person is healthy. Therefore, some Russian women will see a dentist only when suffering a half-face flux and toothache. In other cases, they will be horrified at the prices of dental services and suggest buying something really necessary instead.
6. She spends too much money on clothes. You know that people around you judge your financial situation according to your car and home. In Russia, an important indicator of well-being is the appearance. Therefore, your Russian girlfriend or wife will tend to dress well and make-up even when she goes just to a nearby product shop. When wearing good-looking clothes, a Russian woman signals to others about her own security, femininity and good taste.
7. She complains of life. You are used to see that those around you are mostly satisfied with life. Even if your compatriot has broken his car, quarreled with his wife and had troubles at work - he still tries to look optimistic. At the same time, your Russian bride can be sad even about a cupcake that has not turned that good. It is about the Russian mentality – we are not ashamed to look weak and unhappy, if we feel so. 
Read about How to Enamour a Russian Woman