Lily247

I'm generalizing here about Vegas weddings, in my own subjective opinion, and seeing what I have seen from Jovi and Yara.

They don't want a small family wedding at home where his parents could at least attend, but they want a trashy Vegas ceremony with a group of his friends ? This is all so sad. But true, not just in Belize but I am sure in many places.

Russian women are taught to be shrewed when it comes to finding a partner. Marriage is the ultimate goal for most women there, and a woman in her 30s will definitely be having lots of wheels turning behind her eyes when chit chatting with a potential partner. I don't see it as bad, but they do have a grasp on how to act/what to say/cook/wear to reach the male psyche. I'm not sure if "manipulative" is the word, maybe clever planning. Clean his house, cook good food, be good with his mom, dress sexy, impress his friends, etc. I found Mike's mom surprisingly chill and hands off.

Seems like a form of self validation. She doesn't really need the money, right ?

Natalie cannot believe that Mike and Sarah could spend a night together in the same house and not have sex, because in Russia there is not really a concept of platonic relationships between (young) men and (young) women. Gender differences are more drawn out, a man will typically treat a woman his age like a woman and not like a buddy. So I understand where she is coming from with her perspective about Mike possibly sleeping with a friend when she spent the night at his house. Here in the US, it is not uncommon to find platonic man-woman buddies.

Whoever said that Mike needs someone more flannel shirted, that is SPOT ON. Mike and Natalie are so I'll suited, it's not even a joke. I genuinely don't think he's into women like Natalie, who like to wear makeup, heels, spend a significant amount of time on their hair, etc. I truly think he would prefer a woodsy, country woman who doesn't wear makeup, likes to drink beer, likes to hunt maybe, etc. Mike is a backwoods guy and I don't think they would want a fancy woman. He looks like he never, ever dresses up. If Natalie's goal was to get married ASAP, she could've looked into mailing herself out to potential grooms in Turkey, Greece, or somewhere round that region.

I don't get the need to drink constantly. I am a social drinker, meaning I will have a glass of wine once a week or so to relax at a restaurant or a shot of vodka if I go out, maybe twice a month max, just for a rush or buzz, but also TBH because I don't want to be the only one not partaking and I drink responsibly. I could easily go the rest of my life without it and not care. I feel sad for people who seem to be addicted to the need for alcohol. Coffee, on the other hand, I could barely last a day without. Thank goodness caffeine addiction doesn't carry the stigma or cognitive impairment as alcohol.

Yes, exactly. People from there often migrate to the US with plans of making it rich (I am excluding those who came here on work.visas). Virtually all Eastern European that I have met complained about how it turned out to be in the US: endless strip malls, fast food chains, obesity, staying home and watching TV instead of going out, loneliness, etc. Most Russians in the US gravitate towards major cities where they can simulate their old lifestyle as much as possible and find other Russian/Ukrainian friends.

I have been to Belize once (Placensia region) and felt,,,fairly meh. Kinda like Key West, with a lot more poverty. There are beautiful areas, but I found Cancun had way options in all ateas. I wonder if Stephanie purposely travelled to so-so vacay spots bc of stereotypes of tourist hungry local men.

Stephanie misses the mark bc she tries to look way younger than she actually is. If she aimed at looking, say, a dignified 42 year old (10 years younger than her age) rather than like a 25 year old she would nail it. Also, paying attention to her voice, manner of speech, hands, would be a big help.

Stephanie did look youthful when hula hooping. Maybe that's why she does it so much? I pray that Yara and Jovi stop the screaming/cursing/bickering over petty things when the baby arrives. I hate it when couples who clearly have nothing in common and don't like each other have a baby.

I think Natalie truly wants a future with Mike, I don't get the vibe that she is conniving to eventually leave him. She is 35/36 and realizing that her biological clock is at 11:59 if she wants to plan a family.

I think Mike sucks in his own way lately, but I dont see misogyny coming from him. He is just a guy who is no longer interested in a certain woman, and is being incredibly passive aggressive about it. I think he truly does need, like someone mentioned, a localish woman who may not be glamorous but can share his lifestyle and won't look down on him for watching TV and eating what he likes. He is not doing Natalie the honor of being direct with her and sending her home. Natalie is used to Russian dating customs and I see the cultural disconnect. If Mike was Russian, he would slather her with love, flowers, and attention while simultaneously dating other women behind her back. ..

Does she get raped at the end of this episode, like for real ? He seemed pretty uninterested in her sexually all this time, while she seemed like the sex hungry cougar. Tables suddenly flipped ?

Regardless...the economy in both of these countries is bad.

Mike is hopeless. He repeats over and over that they lack communication but he barely says two words. I feel bad for Natalie at this point. Natalie is only trying so desperately with Mike bc she is ready to settle and she thinks it's her last shot at love and family. Mike tolerates her, barely. He is pretty rude. I'd be done if I were her. What it LOOKS like to me is that he is 100% checked out, but doesn't want a confrontation with her, and so he will just let her visa run out and send her back.

I will iterate. Ukraine is the poorest country in Europe, practically EVERYONE wants to move to the US. In fact, in Russia (and possibly Ukraine) every year there is a green card lottery to get to the US legally. Tons of people apply the same way Americans play the lottery to win a million dollars. It's called "winning green card". They even have strategies, such as both husband and wife applying to double the chances. So, the situation is, Ukrainians and Russians have a stereotype that Americans are all slow and stupid, but they themselves will jump at the opportunity to move here. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a more comfortable life, but I don't like the stuck-up attitude. So yes - they DO want to move to America and get a nice home, nice cars, live out the "American dream" but they have no desire to interact with any American people. Yaras English being so good is not an accident, bc the vast majority of Russians speak no English at all. I remember it has been mentioned that Yara was on a dating show years ago mentioning that for ten million dollars, she would tolerate potential abuse from a wealthy Saudi husband (I'm paraphrasing here.) Jovi looks like a douchebro. His saving grace is his job. I don't get why everyone says how great Yara is bc all she does since the first episode is literally, whine and complain. Screaming at him, cursing at him. Despite no pressing need to work, living in a beautiful NOLA downtown apartment. She never smiles or has a good time,,, ever. She hates his decor, she hates going to his family, she hates walking, hates not walking. The only time I saw her happy was getting her pedicure. They don't actually like each other, there is never affection and warmth between them, not even when Jovi came from the airport.

In Ukraine, you can expect to live with your parents in addition to your husband and children for your whole life in a 2 room apartment in an old building. Poor medical and dental services compared to here. Poor economy with little chance of bettering your situation. And for women, difficulty finding a man to marry after 25 or so. Bribery is rampant to get anything done well (even life saving surgeries).

I noticed this. Russian/Ukrainian men expect women to look ultra feminine, with perfectly done makeup, hair, nails, and pretty dresses daily. Yara is an example of this. Natalie and Mike are fundamentally different people and he will never become the person she wants him to be but, he is a man and she wants to have babies.

Yes, I simply cannot believe that Brandon did not inform Julia that they would be living in a farm. Also, not to knock night owls, but if I were a young man looking to get married, I would not pick a young lady who at 26, prefers to wake up at lunchtime. (Unless she has a normal night job, like in a hospital or front desk of a hotel or whatever. Not go go dancing in a club). If she will become a mother anytime soon, no more sleeping til lunch for many years, as children's daily routines begin early in the morning. Generally speaking, getting up early in the morning is seen as efficient, responsible, and "adulting." So is going to bed at a reasonable hour.

Maybe I am the outlier. But if Julia is living on Brandon's parents farm, why is it so horrible for her to spend a couple hours a day working ? Is she supposed to do literally nothing ? This is Brandon's fault, I don't know what he told her, but if he isn't providing a separate home for her and she has to live with his parents ,. I see it as fair to help out.

Stephanie questioning Ryan about them not having sex was done in the same tone my boss uses with me when she questions me why my reports weren't done on time. "So tell me....what's going on ...." (Low key threatening tone)

Maybe a female Tarik ?

Eastern European are generally more "pro natural" than taking pills. I will assume they use other forms of BC but Russia has a high abortion rate. 1 kid per family is the norm. Maybe 2.

Yes, I get that. But in one time?! Like they came in a 12 pack or something ? I would appreciate the gift of a beautiful gold necklace with a diamond pendant; I have several necklaces but I would feel wierd receiving 10 necklaces as a gift. Maybe it's just me.