Communication

Well, after 5 years of marriage, I have to say our communication skills are pretty good.

In the beginning, I spoke no Russian and after 5 years I only know a few words. Some would say that is a bit selfish. Sometimes I feel this way. I have tried on several occasions to learn phrases and use them for a short period of time, like when we go to Russia for a visit. After that they go away as we don’t speak much Russian at home. Even Lena’s daughter speaks better English than Russian. She does not even have a Russian accent at all. In fact she is as American as kids get. You’d never even know she was Russian if you met her for the first time.

So, when they arrived in the US, Lena spoke ok English, (had to think for a word occasionally) and her daughter spoke no English at all. This proved to be quite a challenge in school, but after a couple of months, she was able to speak English pretty good I’d have to say. Kids are able to pick this stuff up quickly, very amazing!

As for our marriage, we are able to communicate very freely and understandably. Lena is amazing and speaks English almost as well as she speaks Russian. On occasion, I won’t understand what she says because I am not listening very well. Her Russian accent sometimes makes it difficult to say certain words correct to the English language. Of course, being married for this amount of time makes it easier to know what each of us says and wants from each other.

Loving your Russian wife

My best advice to anyone marrying a Russian woman is to have much patience in the beginning! It will difficult for you and possibly even more difficult for her to communicate. Remember that you have just brought this beautiful Russian woman to another country which will be a strange and different place to her and you have to take extra care of her until she get better acquainted with her surroundings and the way things work here in the US.