Season 4 Discussion

[Virtually Me]

11 minutes ago, okerry said:

Yes, I know - it's where all that is explained!

Ok, I understand.  Thanks for the laugh, though.  That was cute.

[Granny58]

On 10/24/2016 at 1:43 PM, MrSmith said:

When it comes to one side of her mother's mouth not moving, it seems pretty clear she's had a stroke in the past. If you look at her face, her left eyelid is droopy, her left cheek is not symmetrical with her right, and the left side of her mouth doesn't move and is non-expressive. These are indicators of someone who's had a stroke in the past. Thankfully for her family, she survived it. Hopefully, people on the Internet aren't going to be too hard on her for this. It's not like she has any control over it.

I'm more intrigued by Matt's mom's anime eyes.

[Virtually Me]

I like her curly hair (again, it's the hair).

[Trace]

If OrHay had even one functioning brain cell, he would call Anfisa's bluff.  Agree to purchase a one-way ticket back to Russia (not give her the money as she requested/threatened), drive her to the airport and watch her get on the plane and LEAVE.  There is no way in hell she is willing to go back to Russia.  She IS going to be the next superstar to hit the states dontcha know!!! **GAG**

[Baltimore Betty]

If Alla truly wanted a beach wedding in Mexico how could she travel outside of the US with her green card in the balance?  Maybe she could renew her vows on the beach?  I smell the heavy hand of production, suddenly the wedding venue her future MIL found is available and she liked it but nobody is talking money, invitations, décor, menu's or anything else that brides usually have a hand in.  Maybe she just doesn't care and just wants to get it done, get her green card and get her family here then get rid of Matt.  No matter what her frame of mind is walking down the aisle I hope that she gets her hair taken care of for the wedding, MIL needs to get her to a salon if she does nothing else for her, ever.

Jorge really looked shocked when Anfisa laid her cards on the table.  He really didn't have a clue that was what their relationship was about? Really?  If he spends one more dime on her for anything other than a plane ticket home he is a fool and deserves what ever he has coming.

 

Edited November 1, 2016 by Drogo
Removed spinoff talk.

[MrHufflepuff]

I think Jorge's thing about feminism is bunch of crap.  If you are willing to drop money, there are plenty of hot people in America (male or female) who will stay with you as long as you can indulge them.  But, since they're American and in America, there are resources out there, so when they get fed up or you run out of money, they can leave (and maybe move on to the next sugar daddy/mommy).

By going overseas, though, Jorge could ensure that his target was bound to him in a way that an American woman wouldn't be, since his target would be dependent on him for a green card.  I think he's full of crap about his money and his business, and he knew he didn't have the money to be a sugar daddy long-term.  So, instead, he tried to pull a con, import someone who would be bound to him with a green card, and then hope that she falls in love with him eventually regardless of money.

Except, if Anfisa really gives no fucks about the green card, then he picked the wrong mark for his con.  And now his mark is screwing him over.  Lol.  Give it to him, Anfisa.

[J80134]

7 minutes ago, Trace said:

If OrHay had even one functioning brain cell, he would call Anfisa's bluff.  Agree to purchase a one-way ticket back to Russia (not give her the money as she requested/threatened), drive her to the airport and watch her get on the plane and LEAVE.  There is no way in hell she is willing to go back to Russia.  She IS going to be the next superstar to hit the states dontcha know!!! **GAG**

Totally agree! Give this girl cash in hand & she'll be off looking for her next meal ticket instead of buying a plane ticket. OrHay (ha! love that!) needs to stop playing the slobbering fool and let her know that, just like there are plenty of men who will pay for her companionship, she is a dime-a-dozen in the world of available oversees brides.

[Bunnygirl]

13 hours ago, Pepper Mostly said:

My African-American in-laws all refer to their parents as mommy and daddy. My son stopped calling me and my husband mommy and daddy when he was a young teen, but my husband will still say "I'm taking Mommy to the mall" or whatever. Different strokes.  

Weddings are out of control these days. When I see people spending the equivalent of a down payment on a house or a significant dent in student loans I wonder for their sanity. You can have a perfectly lovely wedding for a tiny fraction of what's spent on these big lavish affairs. I'd rather get married at city hall and take the family out to a nice dinner than drop a few thousand dollars at that tacky little "Touch of Elegance" place. But that's just me. 

@Silly Angel, you are apparently my doppelgänger and you are my hero. This is spot on and made me laugh very much! 

Hey, fellow Hoosier! I'm in Kokomo!

(I know I'm OT, sorry Drogo✌️)

 

I meant the Hoosier shout out for @Silly Angel, sorry @Pepper Mostly!

[Kath94]

2 hours ago, Diamond Dog said:

For a marriage to work long-term, there has to be common values, and shared goals. I don't see how two people with opposing religious beliefs can make a go of it. Azan, and Nicole are too different, and not in the 'opposites attract' type of different. Their lifestyle, religious beliefs, and cultural outlook are so opposite of one another, it makes me question how they got on enough to want to meet each other. What did they talk about when they skyped?  Was it all cooing, and this fantasy of being with someone different?  I still cannot get a strong read from Azan. If his motives were purely for a green card, he wouldn't be making a big deal about his religious beliefs until AFTER he got the visa.  If he's playing the game, then he's not doing it right.

 

But...but...but...they're SOULmates!

[Trace]

On 10/19/2016 at 11:02 AM, magemaud said:

Obviously no ocean, but Kentucky must have some beautiful lakeside sandy beaches where a couple could get married (without upsetting hypersensitive Matt) 

Yes, it's called Kentucky Lake and it's right outside my back door.  But no one gets married there in the winter.  In the summer, there's Land Between the Lakes, swimming, water skiing, restaurants and beautiful nature all around.  I say get married in the courthouse and have a delayed honeymoon on some beach somewhere.  Accomplish your 90 day requirement and chill the hell out.

[magemaud]

2 hours ago, Baltimore Betty said:

If Alla truly wanted a beach wedding in Mexico how could she travel outside of the US with her green card in the balance?  Maybe she could renew her vows on the beach? 

I don't recall Alla ever mentioning Mexico, just that she dreamed of a "beach wedding." It was Mery Ann who dashed her hopes because "Matthew's last wedding was in Cancun..." 

[Trace]

On 10/13/2016 at 10:39 AM, Arwen Evenstar said:

It might have to come to that, because she can't be pretty or take any pride in her appearance, so he's keeping her drab, and she's not at all happy about it. Alla is painfully thin as well.  Good to be slim and healthy and more of us should be, but the poor thing just looks gaunt and nervous. Some people refuse to eat when they are stressed or miserable. Matt treats her like a caged bird and she knows that on some level. She probably wonders if she's back in the former Soviet Union wrt to her freedom here with Matt.

Speaking for myself, it's not refusing to eat but not being able to eat.  My throat shuts off and my stomach feels like there is a huge brick in it.  I'm starving, but cannot eat.  It's the worst feeling in the world.  My Mom always knew when I was upset by how skinny I was.

[Lola16]

On 10/23/2016 at 8:51 PM, sleepyjean said:

No, Chantel doesn't need his approval. But he has every right to be upset that she's been lying to him for months and months. Much longer than the 90 days. And he has every right to express that to her.

I think River was the only family member that was able to keep a straight face during that scene. It is so beyond fake. And the family including Pedro and Chantal are the worst actors. I think they take a ton of Benedryl before each scene to keep it together.

On 10/24/2016 at 0:40 PM, balisticnikki said:

Alla brought a dress with her, at least.

Even tho Kentucky is landlocked, I'm sure there are some scenic lakes and man-made beaches nearby. That's common in the Midwest. State parks? They could figure something out for her.

15 minutes ago, magemaud said:

I don't recall Alla ever mentioning Mexico, just that she dreamed of a "beach wedding." It was Mery Ann who dashed her hopes because "Matthew's last wedding was in Cancun..." 

I think Alla wanted to go to Florida. Not sure where in KY they live but if they're near Cincy, the airport is in KY and it's a Delta hub so cheap flights to FL.  Or they can go to a local KY beach.  http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kentucky/10-amazing-beaches-in-ky/

Might be a little cold and snowy but hey, have the ceremony outside at noon then head to the basement wedding hall.

On 10/24/2016 at 5:47 PM, Jennifersdc said:

Not so sure she's living the public assistance "dream". I live in DC and the first house I bought was in a relatively "bad" neighborhood (it's now in one of the "hottest" areas of DC). Maybe Bradenton is different and Section 8 can take you a long way. But generally you're either living in public housing or in a bad neighborhood. She doesn't seem to be in either. It's harder to qualify for food stamps and other assistance than you think and it's not that much. I know this cause one of my best friends (former neighbor) is now stuck raising two of her grandchildren and struggles every day - despite my and her son's (none are baby daddy) monetary assistance (plus public) and lucky enough that she owns her house (willed from her grandmother - but RE taxes are high based on it now being assessed at $700K - even though it's basically falling apart).

Nicole lives in public housing. It looks like a converted motel. She probably only works part time at Starbucks. Hopefully, she's going to community college as well but I somehow don't hold out much hope for that. Probably gets food stamps, housing, and disability. You know that girl gets disability.

[steff13]

Quote

After #3 do they REALLY want to even go to the wedding? Taka Alla to the freakin Beach and get married-come home and have a nice reception.

This was my thought.  Good lord, she came all the way to KY, at least let her have the wedding she wants.  And, if we're going to exclude venues based on where Matt has had previous weddings, well...

[Verojama]

On 2016-10-24 at 11:15 AM, TheVoicesToldMeTo said:

I don't know if River is younger than Chantel (probably) he seems like he may have grown up in her shadow and now that she's the one screwing up, he's piling it on.

I missed the first episode so I don't know Alla's background in Ukraine, but she might have a completely unrealistic idea of American life, like a lot of non Americans - like we're all Kardashians who can just throw our families on a private plane and jet off to a destination wedding. She also may not get that by your 4th wedding most of your family & friends don't really give a crap so you'd be lucky if they showed up for cake & a quickee church ceremony. As far as Matt's Mom - I wonder how many of Matt's previous marriages she strangled to death with her apron strings.

Azan - I think he genuinely cares for Nicole, and if he had his druthers he'd move her to Morocco. A little off topic - but it's a really bad idea for any very Caucasian woman (red/blonde hair) to walk around in the streets of a Muslim country with their hair uncovered and their shoulders bare. The men will spit on and throw rocks at you. I can't imagine the producers (who paid for this trip) didn't give her a primer on how to behave while there. No way she couldn't have known the mosque was off limits.

Anfisa is ridiculous but she's right. Jorge knows he can't get a better looking girlfriend if it weren't for his bank account, and he never would have swiped right on Anfisa if she weighed 50 lbs more. If your dating strategy revolves around using wads of cash and expensive gifts to lure women, you can't turn around later and complain that you hooked a gold-digger. Jorge got exaaaaactly what he wished for.

For the azan nicole comment... actually in Morrocco especially where they were Marrakesch theres alot of tourists so no head scarf neccessary but maybe no shoulder a ppesribg just out of respect... ive lived there so by experience and i have blond streaks so noyone was spitting on on me or throwing rocks they are very respectful...

[Lily247]

On 10/24/2016 at 11:54 AM, Virtually Me said:

Perhaps that's true in the small villages, but, most of Morocco isn't like that.  The scene where Azan tells her that Moroccan women stay home and don't go to mosque is so contrived.  Neither is true.  I own a home in Agadir (part of the show was filmed there), have family there and attend mosque on occasion.  It's heavily influenced by the west and women work in nearly every venue, very much like you see in the US.  There are a lot of foreigners and natives in the larger cities who prefer western dress. 

That is very interesting. I heard that among the Muslim-majority nations, Morocco is one of the most liberal to live in, and that women dominate the family. is that true somewhat ? Azan's family has put on a very convincing show, either true or not, that they are super traditional and the women stay home in their full on hijabs and take care of house/kids exclusively. 

[greekmom]

2 hours ago, magemaud said:

I don't recall Alla ever mentioning Mexico, just that she dreamed of a "beach wedding." It was Mery Ann who dashed her hopes because "Matthew's last wedding was in Cancun..." 

Matt's an ass. It's an 18 hour drive to the Florida Keys from KY ( i googled). Then prices start cheap for beach weddings. It's his freaking 4th marriage. Bring a witness and Max along and it could probably be done for under a grand. Asshole rather have a big blown bachelor party with strippers, booze and limos. 

[Lily247]

On 10/24/2016 at 5:52 PM, evilmindatwork said:

Yeah, this is not true. Maybe it's true in very small villages or very off the track places but I've lived, traveled, went to school in, and worked in Muslim countries and I've never observed or heard of this happening to anyone I know. Now, I am South Asian (grew up in the SF Bay), but mostly worked for multi-nationals with European and American employees-- again, no one I know has experienced anything like that. Obviously I've seen extreme stuff on the news. My point being, Nicole should learn to fit herself within the cultural norms of places she's visiting but Morocco is a country that attracts a lot of tourists and has had a heavy European presence for centuries,  no one in a major city in Morocco is running around throwing rocks at women, cat-calling maybe, that's annoying but different from spitting and throwing rocks.

I dont think they spit on them or throw rocks on them, but trust me, allllll the redhead and blonde haired ladies are gawked at and drooled over by the men is Muslim majority countries, regardless of age, weight, etc. I am not exactly Arabic (and I am not blonde/redhead) but I grew up learning it and I have overheard many conversations in Arabic of men basically whistling to each other as a blonde haired woman walks by. 

[Lily247]

9 hours ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

There are plenty of gold diggers out there, but I usually expect a lot more finesse than Anfisa's straight up lines. She's honest about who and what she is, but that doesn't give her a pass to be a total ball breaker. 

I see a cold, dead fish in her. That look behind her dead eyes makes me wonder what happened to that little girl to make her the way she is.  I'm thinking some sort of porn or prostitution. She doesn't know how to love anyone or anything, and for all her obsession with her own looks, doesn't seem to love herself. How else can she have afforded all this modification?  To demand these things, she's obviously used to being something like a high priced escort to get the money to buy this stuff.  What's love got to do with it? It's all business for Anfisa.

Youre right, probably. I think also Russians are "colder" inside as well, I dont mean to generalize, just its a harder life over there and the mentality is very different from other Western nations. Maybe it s the harsh environment. This has nothing to do with Anfisa however - the level of greed we are seeing is unbelievable. Guaranteed, if she flies back to Russia (which she wont. as she wants to participate in this show and "get famous") she will be heading to Dubai for the highest bidder. There are lots of sheikhs over there who can buy her all that shit she wants. 

[magemaud]

8 minutes ago, greekmom said:

It's an 18 hour drive to the Florida Keys from KY ( i googled). Then prices start cheap for beach weddings. It's his freaking 4th marriage. Bring a witness and Max along and it could probably be done for under a grand.

I Googled, too, and found FL doesn't require any witnesses or waiting period. They also wouldn't need to go all the way to the Southernmost part of the state (to the Keys,) there are plenty of beaches along the Panhandle and West Coast. 

[evilmindatwork]

53 minutes ago, Matias130 said:

I dont think they spit on them or throw rocks on them, but trust me, allllll the redhead and blonde haired ladies are gawked at and drooled over by the men is Muslim majority countries, regardless of age, weight, etc. I am not exactly Arabic (and I am not blonde/redhead) but I grew up learning it and I have overheard many conversations in Arabic of men basically whistling to each other as a blonde haired woman walks by. 

Yeah, not saying there won't be cat-calling or a level of sexual harassment, not just to blondes or red heads, by the way though they  may experience it more because they're viewed as exotic, but I've never seen or experienced stone throwing or spitting. 

[sleepyjean]

Someone help me understand the situation with  Jorge. If he is in the business of legal marijuana, why is he paying for everything in cash and walking around with  big amounts of cash in his pockets? Especially if he's already been robbed once. Now that he's been on the show, people will know he carries a lot of cash.

[Toaster Strudel]

8 hours ago, Granny58 said:

I'm more intrigued by Matt's mom's anime eyes.

It's called circle lenses.  Japanese teenagers love them.

[MrHufflepuff]

2 hours ago, sleepyjean said:

Someone help me understand the situation with  Jorge. If he is in the business of legal marijuana, why is he paying for everything in cash and walking around with  big amounts of cash in his pockets? Especially if he's already been robbed once. Now that he's been on the show, people will know he carries a lot of cash.

In CA, only medical marijuana is legal.  Given that we haven't seen his establishment, I doubt he's in the business of legal marijuana.

However... because marijuana is still illegal on a Federal level, there's a lot of uncertainty about how federal taxes apply to state-legalized marijuana businesses (and illegal businesses owe hefty taxes, since they can't claim deductions).  So, theoretically, a person might want to deal only in cash to avoid a big Federal tax hit.  But that's still shady (and illegal) as well.  Which is why I doubt he's actually in the legitimate business side of things.

[mamadrama]

14 hours ago, Drogo said:

If you're getting married, you want to throw a party, and you want me to attend- I'm there, no judgment.  I love Love.

I've gone to someone's third wedding before and I'd go to someone's fourth or fifth.  FWIW, we always give Nespresso machines.

I feel the same way about baby showers for Baby#3 and so on. I love parties and I love babies. And I always bring baskets of wipes, powder, shampoom and butt cream.

[Verojama]

9 hours ago, Matias130 said:

That is very interesting. I heard that among the Muslim-majority nations, Morocco is one of the most liberal to live in, and that women dominate the family. is that true somewhat ? Azan's family has put on a very convincing show, either true or not, that they are super traditional and the women stay home in their full on hijabs and take care of house/kids exclusively. 

Morrocco is very liberal from my experience... azan's family might be super traditional due to his family being is such a small village maybe not to modernized so women do stay take care of the household cooking cleaning kids.. while the men go work and bring home money...

[MrSmith]

For a marriage to work long-term, there has to be common values, and shared goals. I don't see how two people with opposing religious beliefs can make a go of it. Azan, and Nicole are too different, and not in the 'opposites attract' type of different. Their lifestyle, religious beliefs, and cultural outlook are so opposite of one another, it makes me question how they got on enough to want to meet each other. What did they talk about when they skyped?  Was it all cooing, and this fantasy of being with someone different?  I still cannot get a strong read from Azan. If his motives were purely for a green card, he wouldn't be making a big deal about his religious beliefs until AFTER he got the visa.  If he's playing the game, then he's not doing it right.

 

Anfisa raised a good point with Jorge. He wouldn't be with her if she didn't look the way she does. Their relationship is solely based on the superficial. He knew what he was getting into, so he can't be butt hurt now that Anfisa isn't thrilled with him.  He's not fulfilling his end of the bargain. Sorry, don't have any sympathy for him.

When it comes to religious beliefs, people with opposing religious beliefs can easily make a go of it. It just depends on their level of "live and let live" attitude. If either or both are going to demand that one or the other change religions, that's when the marriage will fall apart. My wife and I have radically different religious beliefs, yet neither of us requires the other to change their beliefs in order for each of us to have a fulfilling religious life - and we've been married for 13 years, together for 20 years, and still going strong. If you require your partner to change their religious beliefs to match yours because you need your beliefs validated in this way, then yes you had better find someone who already shares those beliefs.

As for the rest of it: lifestyle, cultural outlook, interests and so on ... I completely agree that I cannot understand how these two thought meeting each other would be a good or worthwhile idea. My wife and I are completely dumbfounded that Nicole never once thought to jump on the Internet and learn about Morocco before going there (even if she had to use the computer at the library to do this - but she has a smartphone and should have been able to do it from the comfort of her own home or her family's home). Similarly, we can't understand how her family failed to advocate that she do this, either. And even if she refused, why didn't her family learn about Morocco just for their own edification? I mean, presumably they have been expecting to have a Moroccan son/brother in-law. It's hard to imagine a family that is that utterly intellectually bereft.

We've been enjoying watching Jorge squirm. In fact, I've come to actually like Anfisa because of her honesty and straight-forwardness about her expectations and what the deal is. I feel a little bad for her because it seems like she views all relationships as a business arrangement/form of prostitution. It seems like something really bad must have happened to her in the past to make her so jaded, cynical, and predatory. Hopefully, she'll eventually come to terms with that and things will get better for her. We have no sympathy for Jorge, either.

[Polliwollidoodle]

6 hours ago, MrHufflepuff said:

Quote

Someone help me understand the situation with  Jorge. If he is in the business of legal marijuana, why is he paying for everything in cash and walking around with  big amounts of cash in his pockets? Especially if he's already been robbed once. Now that he's been on the show, people will know he carries a lot of cash.

In CA, only medical marijuana is legal.  Given that we haven't seen his establishment, I doubt he's in the business of legal marijuana.

However... because marijuana is still illegal on a Federal level, there's a lot of uncertainty about how federal taxes apply to state-legalized marijuana businesses (and illegal businesses owe hefty taxes, since they can't claim deductions).  So, theoretically, a person might want to deal only in cash to avoid a big Federal tax hit.  But that's still shady (and illegal) as well.  Which is why I doubt he's actually in the legitimate business side of things.

Apparently not adept at this multi quote thing because I also tried to include the original post from SleepyJean-- good catch all around. I think that Zhorghe (Jorge) is so anxious to appear to be a super catch worthy of the bombshell he thinks Anfisa is---hows that for a sentence... He is probably so proud to have a wad of cash in his pocket and think he is so cool . He does not take the next step to realize that he is a target and will unfortunately probably continue to be one.

Edited October 26, 2016 by Drogo
Quote formatting.

[Toaster Strudel]

The show says he's not selling weed, but bags that prevent light from damaging the weed.

Weed may take off... that doesn't mean that his weed bags will, too.

[DangerousMinds]

It sounds to me like he's doing OK, even quite well financially, but certainly not well enough to spend tens of thousands on a regular basis.

[PityFree]

10 hours ago, sleepyjean said:

Someone help me understand the situation with  Jorge. If he is in the business of legal marijuana, why is he paying for everything in cash and walking around with  big amounts of cash in his pockets? Especially if he's already been robbed once. Now that he's been on the show, people will know he carries a lot of cash.

Here in Colorado, sellers and growers have the same cash problem. Banks stick to national banking laws and don't want to get into trouble from taking "illegal" money - even if the business is legal in that state The sellers/growers are denied service from banks. So, they deal in cash. Colorado has been trying to think of ways to help the industry (like setting up a state bank for them to use) but I'm not sure if that has happened yet.

ETA: It's not a tax avoidance thing here. Record requirements are very strict and the state gets its taxes. They are audited and checked out frequently. Sellers/growers follow the rules because they want to stay in business - it takes a LOT to even get a state license to grow/sell and they don't want to jeopardize it.

Edited October 26, 2016 by PityFree

[Cini]

19 minutes ago, Toaster Strudel said:

The show says he's not selling weed, but bags that prevent light from damaging the weed.

Weed may take off... that doesn't mean that his weed bags will, too.

I thought he was a grower and sells the UV bags. He said that when marijuana becomes legal in CA, he'll be really rich. That could possibly be the case if he has money to invest at that point. The way he's spending everything he's got on Anfisa , I doubt he'll have any capital to invest and he'll just be a small-time player for ever after.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I'm in Colorado and certainly not everybody who is in the marijuana business became rich over night. The couple of growers who did make it big also had big money to invest. As far as the UV-bags go, he's probably not the only one who has them. They don't wrap marijuana products in yesterday's newspaper in CO either. The bags used are smell- and light proof. The reason he's paying for everything in cash is probably because marijuana is a cash-only business. No credit card processor will work with anybody in the marijuana business. Most banks refuse to let marijuana businesses bank with them. It was a huge problem for CO dispensaries in the beginning: Wads of cash and nowhere to deposit it. Since then some local banks and credit unions have taken marijuana businesses as customers.

[sleepyjean]

Quote

I thought he was a grower and sells the UV bags. He said that when marijuana becomes legal in CA, he'll be really rich. That could possibly be the case if he has money to invest at that point. The way he's spending everything he's got on Anfisa , I doubt he'll have any capital to invest and he'll just be a small-time player for ever after.   

I think he's a grower too. We saw in one episode he went into a store and picked up some giant containers of what looked like chemicals you use in a pool or something. I imagine it was fertilizer or some such. I also raise an eyebrow at the "weed bags will make me rich" scheme. If it does become legal, I expect the little guys like Jorge will eventually get squeezed out by the big players. So unless his bags do something nobody else's bags can match, he may be over estimating his potential earnings. Then again, I know squat about this subject, so I'm guessing.

Thanks for all the insight on the cash thing. It makes more sense now. Did anyone see the tweet from TLC that said Jorge had just given her $1000 cash (in $100 bills) in the restaurant before they had that uncomfortable conversation where she said she was just there for the money?  He has no problem taking out a big wad of cash in public. We've seen him do it. I mean, I know they're in Irvine, but geez. No wonder he's been robbed before. Meanwhile, I wonder what she's doing with the money. For sure she's not paying for anything while she's here, so she must be stuffing it into a pillowcase.

My theory on Jorge is he thought that he WAS rich. Compared to her, that is. If he's making in the low/mid six figures, that's a lot of money to someone who doesn't have much. He probably thought his situation would be really impressive to her, especially if her grandma's palatial estate is a modest three bedroom building with no hot water. I don't think it occurred to him that she would (a) want SUCH expensive things, and (b) realize so quickly that he is small potatoes. He could provide the right woman a nice life with what he makes. A house, a couple nice cars, the occasional fancy vacation. I think he thought that would be more than enough. She over estimated his wealth, and he under estimated her greed.

Anfisa, for all her honesty, is not very good at this. As others have remarked, she's not very good at the game. She's not even trying to manipulate him. There's no pretense of enjoying his company. I think she just lucked across a guy who really doesn't expect much except  her companionship. Not love, admiration or respect. Not even basic friendliness. If she was better at this, if she was actually sweet to him, I think she would have gotten more from him.  As it is, he's was giving her a $1000 allowance when she was in Russia in that seems to have continued. He bought her the bracelet. He paid for the photo shoot. But we haven't seen him give her any expensive gifts - and I'm SURE TLC would have shown that. Or we would have seen  her flashing a new bag or jewelry. But he didn't by the purse, or the dress, or the ring. He does seem willing to spend on things HE can enjoy -- the car, the vacations, the apartment, but is not plopping down large amounts of money for gifts just for her.  I think when she first got here, she figured he had the money but was being stingy with it. Now she knows he doesn't have the income level she expected. I wonder if she will resign herself to this and spend the rest of her life berating him for not giving her enough money, or if she will cut her losses and look for deeper pockets.

[merylinkid]

21 hours ago, Drogo said:

The wife always takes the Nespresso machine in the divorce.  Always.

I am laughing my ass off at this right now.   I can just see the pre-nup if they know you are invited to the wedding.   Or the property settlement agreement afterwards.    I am going to incorporate this in to my standard agreement.

TOPIC:   Jorge knew what what he buying when he went through the BridesRUs catalogue.   He was just hoping to change the deal later.    Like buying a gamestation and hoping it magically upgrades to a PS4 when it arrives.

[Arwen Evenstar]

During Soviet times, a foreign dude could hook a woman simply by buying her pantyhose, but those days are long gone. After the Soviet Union crashed and the old ruble became worthless for a while and goods were still scarce, people were free to travel and those that could bought things abroad and were able to sell anything on the black market for exhorbitant prices. In the early 90s, when Russian school girls were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, they said they wanted to be "currency prostitutes". 

Things there are supposedly better now, but I think life there is still hard for those who don't have a lot and will never have a lot. Moscow is a very expensive city.  If  Anfisa has "dated" oligarchs or rich businessmen there, she's already of the mind that that's how one who can't afford nice things acquires them. She posts provocative, half nude photos of herself online, so she's obviously looking to hook a zhlub.  

The other thing I noticed is that she speaks and understands English extremely well...almost like she grew up here or in Canada or the UK as in boarding school or her parents lived here for a while....note the lack of heavy accent...Russians tend to have heavy accents that don't go away after decades in Europe or the US.  We have a sizable Russian community where I live, and I dated a Russian guy in the late 80s early 90s. From what I know about Russians personally, something about Anfisa doesn't add up.

Edited October 26, 2016 by Arwen Evenstar

[blondiek237]

On 10/24/2016 at 4:59 PM, Dobian said:

$2,000 for a wedding reception for fifty people ($4,000 for a hundred) is actually very cheap for a wedding these days.  Weddings usually run up into the tens of thousands.

Not to get off topic--but in 2005 I had 105 people at my wedding it cost under $5000 (BTW I am in the Boston area)  Dinner was roast beef and we had a DJ not a band.  You can have a very nice wedding without breaking the bank

[Lady Grump]

Binged the first 8 episodes over the past two days (sick in bed), and I can't get enough of Anfisa. There is zero shame in her hysterically acquisitive game. Jorge needs to learn a big ole' lesson, so I ain't mad at her one bit. (And I usually can't STAND status conscious people -- but Anfisa is in another category.)

Between the mirror comment from last week, to this week's (paraphrasing, of course) Dumb-dumb hypocrite, of course I'm dating you for the stuff. Life-giving, I tell you -- Life. Giving. I start cracking up just thinking about her! It's wonderful! She has provided a much-needed stress break.

Edited October 26, 2016 by Lady Grump

[Lady Grump]

Also, Jorge is giving me poor-man's-Jonah-Hill vibes....complete with the loser frat boy angst.

Edited October 26, 2016 by Lady Grump

[Granny58]

15 hours ago, Toaster Strudel said:

It's called circle lenses.  Japanese teenagers love them.

you mean she's doing this on purpose?  I just thought her pupils were dilated.  Bizarre (for her age).

[magemaud]

Jorge, wake up and smell the borscht! Anfisa has told you straight up you will she will NEVER be satisfied and you NEVER be finished buying things for her. You could hire a different attractive and high priced hooker every day for less than she's planning to milk you for! It would be strictly business with no expectation of anything except cash for sex. They will be happy to dominate and humiliate you upon request. Anfisa can't possibly be so good in bed that you're willing to risk bankruptcy to try and keep up with her ever-increasing demands. What is it going to take to get you to send her packing back to Mother Russia? 

btw, where is his voice-of-reason sister Lourdes in all this? 

Edited October 26, 2016 by magemaud

[DeeReynolds]

2 hours ago, Lady Grump said:

Also, Jorge is giving me poor-man's-Jonah-Hill vibes....complete with the loser frat boy angst.

Jonah Hill is exactly who Jorge reminds me of too! Also, the stupid stoner durrr look on his face when Anfisa gives zero fucks is hilarious.

[KateHearts]

4 hours ago, Lady Grump said:

Binged the first 8 episodes over the past two days (sick in bed), and I can't get enough of Anfisa. There is zero shame in her hysterically acquisitive game. Jorge needs to learn a big ole' lesson, so I ain't mad at her one bit. (And I usually can't STAND status conscious people -- but Anfisa is in another category.)

Between the mirror comment from last week, to this week's (paraphrasing, of course) Dumb-dumb hypocrite, of course I'm dating you for the stuff. Life-giving, I tell you -- Life. Giving. I start cracking up just thinking about her! It's wonderful! She has provided a much-needed stress break.

See, I just can't find anything admirable, funny or amusing about a real-life person who is so shallow and lacking in character taking advantage of a man who is so lacking in self-worth the only way he feels he loves someone is if he's being abused by them.  They both must have very deep, long-standing childhood issues.

Jorge needs therapy, not to learn a lesson.  And she needs to realize that looks inevitably fade; if you have no redeemable personality characteristics, then after that you will lead a lonely life.

[NoSpam]

On 10/25/2016 at 4:42 AM, DangerousMinds said:

I think Jorge would have to be the one to request a credit card in his wife's name, but he IS that stupid, so. I'm not sure exactly how it works with bank accounts. I don't know that the law requires one spouse to allow access, unless they specifically give permission. I could be wrong, and again, he is that stupid so he probably will.

Community property means equal access to credit. The only thing she'd have trouble accessing is a bank account. And even if the credit account/card is in her name only, a spouse is always legally required to pay the debt.

 

My ex was on the hook for a HUGE amount after his wife moved and left no forwarding. 

[Lady Grump]

3 hours ago, KateHearts said:

See, I just can't find anything admirable, funny or amusing about a real-life person who is so shallow and lacking in character taking advantage of a man who is so lacking in self-worth the only way he feels he loves someone is if he's being abused by them.  They both must have very deep, long-standing childhood issues.

Jorge needs therapy, not to learn a lesson.  And she needs to realize that looks inevitably fade; if you have no redeemable personality characteristics, then after that you will lead a lonely life.

I'm usually on the compassion truck, but when it comes to these two, it's entertainment all the way. Why? Because they're not hurting anyone -- not even themselves, really. They're young -- and like many of us who were hot messes in our 20s, they're arrogant and lack self-awareness and it's high comedy. But they still have time to grow up and change; in 20 years they'll be laughing at themselves, too. (Not together, of course.)

And besides all that, Anfisa's bluntness is just....dare I say....refreshing. Homegirl is who she is, right now, and she is not apologizing to a soul. It cracks me up.

Edited October 27, 2016 by Lady Grump

[Polliwollidoodle]

On 10/25/2016 at 1:47 PM, J80134 said:

A friend of mine recently went through the K1 visa process and got married to a man from France. He had to sign a bunch of paperwork taking responsibility for him. He must support him in the US, even if the marriage doesn't work out. He had to prove that he has the financial means to do this before the visa was approved. Once the marriage license is signed, you can end it, but it's going to cost you. The K1 process already cost him 30K.  I have to wonder how the people on the show that can barely pay the rent come up with that kind of cash! I mean, Nicole's barista job (if she even has that) doesn't pay her that much in a year. TLC must be footing the bill for everything. There is no other way that Nicole, Dani, Chantel etc. could qualify.

I wonder about this as well but also even just the initial trips they make to meet in person. There was all this hoopla over Dani in particular as she was in such a financial mess and yet did travel overseas. I am not sure when TLC $ starts but it seems that these peeps make the trips before TLC is on the radar. I would love to know this for real as in show me the money and where it comes from. 

Was it mentioned as far as Nicole making the trip where the $ came from (family? savings) . Although with Nicole, it seems TLC is there for this first meeting. The other people I am thinking of seem to have made the trips in the past.... (pre TV cameras)

[CoachWristletJen]

On 10/24/2016 at 4:24 PM, ExplainItAgain said:

It should be Nowo, as in "No, girl, don't marry this scammer."

Agreed!

[CoachWristletJen]

15 hours ago, KateHearts said:

See, I just can't find anything admirable, funny or amusing about a real-life person who is so shallow and lacking in character taking advantage of a man who is so lacking in self-worth the only way he feels he loves someone is if he's being abused by them.  They both must have very deep, long-standing childhood issues.

Jorge needs therapy, not to learn a lesson.  And she needs to realize that looks inevitably fade; if you have no redeemable personality characteristics, then after that you will lead a lonely life.

Yeah, I don't find anything admirable or refreshing about Anfisa!  

As for Jorge, I'd put him in the old enough to know better category. Although mental illness is certainly part of the [cannabis] cocktail!  

Add deception. He lied to her. He promised her way more than he was able to deliver. That kind of explains why she was such a baby about the purse. She thought it was just a drop in the bucket to him! Anfisa, don't you realize that a man who can afford a $300,000 wedding ring is going to be buying a $300,000 HOUSE instead of begging landlords for so-so apartments?  

As I have said before, I don't like seeing anyone getting pawed at when they hate it, so I was glad to see her push him off of her and lock his ass out of the place.

Still, Anfisa is one episode away from a CSI episode, and by that I mean HER.  She needs to quit doing men this way because what if one day she rolls her eyes at one of these losers one too many times, and he takes a look at his empty bank account and his provoked to some serious anger?

But, you LIED to her, Jorge with a J. And you thought love was going to bloom from THAT? You've got a better chance of waking up suddenly not shallow than she does. She's thinking mansion with big picture windows, Jorge! Window treatments, Jorge! Not penitent buffoon who wants to be loved for himself.

BTW, that abuse was free of charge. No need to thank me. :)

Edited October 27, 2016 by CoachWristletJen

[Lily247]

23 hours ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

During Soviet times, a foreign dude could hook a woman simply by buying her pantyhose, but those days are long gone. After the Soviet Union crashed and the old ruble became worthless for a while and goods were still scarce, people were free to travel and those that could bought things abroad and were able to sell anything on the black market for exhorbitant prices. In the early 90s, when Russian school girls were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, they said they wanted to be "currency prostitutes". 

Things there are supposedly better now, but I think life there is still hard for those who don't have a lot and will never have a lot. Moscow is a very expensive city.  If  Anfisa has "dated" oligarchs or rich businessmen there, she's already of the mind that that's how one who can't afford nice things acquires them. She posts provocative, half nude photos of herself online, so she's obviously looking to hook a zhlub.  

The other thing I noticed is that she speaks and understands English extremely well...almost like she grew up here or in Canada or the UK as in boarding school or her parents lived here for a while....note the lack of heavy accent...Russians tend to have heavy accents that don't go away after decades in Europe or the US.  We have a sizable Russian community where I live, and I dated a Russian guy in the late 80s early 90s. From what I know about Russians personally, something about Anfisa doesn't add up.

I think they mentioned that she went to school for a semester in Spain. How believble that is, I dont know. Its true that a lot of Russian people do not speak English well when they leave Russia, but there are some cases, some people just have a very good knack, also Anfisa is 20 and the younger generation is better at English bc of media I think. I do hear an accent on her though, she just speaks very quickly and in a low tone. Alla's English is much much worse though. 

Is it just me, or the more I watch this show, the cuter Azan gets ? (face palm)

[CoachWristletJen]

8 minutes ago, Matias130 said:

I think they mentioned that she went to school for a semester in Spain. How believble that is, I dont know. Its true that a lot of Russian people do not speak English well when they leave Russia, but there are some cases, some people just have a very good knack, also Anfisa is 20 and the younger generation is better at English bc of media I think. I do hear an accent on her though, she just speaks very quickly and in a low tone. Alla's English is much much worse though. 

Is it just me, or the more I watch this show, the cuter Azan gets ? (face palm)

I have trouble believing that she studied anywhere except a brothel.  Her English is good and that might come from watching The Kardashians.  Also, her customers.

I always thought Azan was very attractive! He has a very nice face and he's in great shape ~ healthy glow to his skin, etc.  In addition to that, he seems to be from a very nice family. I am  genuinely surprised and impressed with how very patient he is with Nicole. Maybe he just really wants to come to the United States, but where a lot of guys would have thrown up their hands, he seems more than willing to work with her. I think his heart is invested, and his character makes him more attractive.

[Kareem]

For a guy who's been pegged as a green card glomming guy, I don't see it.  Said it from the beginning that it seems more like her idea than his.  He's afraid of fast food and all you can eat buffets.  He's not devout but he's religious.  Her speech on how living here would be so much better had him glazing over.  I'm with ya, CWJ, his personality and patience is admirable.  I don't see any redeeming qualities in Nicole.  None.  She had questions about his religion and then pounced on him while he explained.  Incredible.  Girl's gonna be a handful, whoever gets stuck with her.