The Guys Review... Mail Order Brides... Kinda. The Guys have watched two documentaries about Ukrainian mail order brides: Love Me, and 10 Days = Wife and discuss the pros and cons, as well as dishing out some truly embarrassing stories themselves. No need to look elsewhere, we've got what you want right here in this internationally approved, Vegas wedding length episode of The Guys Review... Webpage: https://theguysreview.simplecast.com/ EM: theguysreviewpod@gmail.com IG: @TheGuysReviewPod Twitter: @The_GuysReview FB: https://facebook.com/TheGuysReviewPod/
Mail Order Brides/Love Me/10 Days=Wife
Welcome to The Guys Review, where we review media, products and experiences.
Mail-Order Brides:
A mail-order bride is a woman who lists herself in catalogs and is selected by a man for marriage. In the twentieth century, the trend was primarily towards women living in developing countries seeking men in more developed nations. In the twenty-first century, the trend is now based primarily on internet-based meeting places which do not per se qualify as mail-order bride services. The majority of the women listed in the twentieth-century and twenty-first-century services are from Southeast Asia, countries of the former Eastern Bloc and (to a lesser extent) from Latin America. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, large numbers of eastern European women have advertised themselves in such a way, primarily from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova. Men who list themselves in such publications are referred to as "mail-order husbands", although this is much less common.
The term "mail-order bride" is both criticized by owners (and customers) of international marriage agencies and used by them as an easily recognizable term.
According to https://www.mailorderbrideprices.com/, The average cost of a mail order bride is between $5,000 and $30,000.
According to newbrides.net, in total, be ready to spend around $12,000-$35,000 USD for finding and meeting your mail order bride.
Love Me
Directed by: Jonathon Narducci
Open asking what love is. We're introduced to John Adams, who runs A Foreign Affair, or LoveMe.com. The "legitimate" side of this business. Then we meet Robert from Fresno, divorced and says it's hard to meet sigle women. Next is Eric, from San Antonio, who says he's never had a serious relationship. Next is Bobby, and HR guy who works for the Federal Government, and makes sure to make a point that his views are his alone, not the Governments and that dating sites never worked for him. Ron, in NC who wen to on 5 dates that lasted less than 5 minutes; feels taken advantage of, not encouraged. Next is Travis from Wisconsin. Says he hasn't dated a lot and not a lot of single women where he lives.
-Crazy website. Seems fake with all the links and everything. Fake profiles.
-Are the guys delusional?
-Something definitely "off" with Eric
-Feels like they're setting up with a lot of blue collar/conservative type guys
-Already don't like Ron. Esp talking about putting down John for not being good looking... Obviously he thinks he's MUCH better. Jesus.
John tells a quick story about how he met his wife through his own service. How any guy can join for free, but to actually SEND the messages, you've to pay... because, they have to be translated. Some of the guys talk about how they signed up and miraculously, randomly, started receiving letters from women... That they had to pay to respond to. We then go to Australia and meet Elena Petrova owner of Elenas Models, in an effort to match Eastern European women to Western Men. Then we meet Michael, a divorced widower, who has started a relationship with a woman he met through Elenas service. Elena proposes some Ukrainian women use the site because there are only 87 men for every 100 women, and the high rate of alcoholism. (We would disappoint them too).
-Paying to translate messages... They don't have google or an iphone.
-Notice how Elena can't keep her eyes open talking about what she does...
-The fact they, Michael, calls them "girls" is a little disturbing.
Back in the US, John explains that emailing isn't enough, that you need a "Romance Tour" to meet the women they're conversing with. Robert from Fresno makes the statement that $12,000 is worth happiness. We meet Bob Rhey the tour director, who says it's kind of like a frat road trip, but with more of a purpose. All these these guys are now in the Ukrine. Australian Michael also flies to Kiev to meet Svitlana (and her two daughters). Back with the AFA guys, they have a social event. 210 women and 20 guys. The guys keep talking about how overwhelming it was. During the montage, we're subjected to Bob the tour director, shirtless, with a belt around his neck, and 4 or 5 women gyrating on/over him. Ron details some of his reservations. Travis talks about meeting Victoria, and plans on being engaged before he leaves. Ron complains about not meeting many women his age, and the interpreter says not many are actually looking for a long term relationship. Eric says he's been to the Ukraine on 6 different trips! Eric meets a woman, and has a date. She seems genuine. Bobby is looking forward to meeting Julia, who looks like Angelina Jolie... and she doesn't show up. He reveals he's probably spent $10K emailing this woman. Wonders if it was a scam. Back with Australian Mike, it seems he's waiting for Svitlana to decide if she wants to come back with him or not. Switching to Bobby actually meets Julia... he's still pondering if it's who he's been talking to. Seems like an awkward conversation, but he proposes to her, and she says she wants to move in that direction. But didn't get her actual email address.
-Fucking Ron... "My goal is to shake the hand of every girl there"
-Bachelor party belt story
-I'm glad Ron doesn't like to dance. He also has something on his nose, like a booger. Gross.
-Eric has probably spent $70K on this thing...
-All the model photos are just ridiculous.
-Svitlana is pretty hot
-Julia has had some work done
Australian Michael revels he proposed to Svitlana, and she accepted. As the AFA trip draws to a close, Robert says he'd like to be married or close to it by next Christmas. Ron complains, "they're just not that fucking friendly. They're not". San Antonio Eric seems to have met someone, and she seems to like him. Wisconsin Travis doesn't want to leave Victoria.
3 Month Time Jump
Wisconsin Travis talks about how he knew he was in love with Victoria, and plans on going back and proposing to her. San Antonio Eric says he's been to Ukraine 6 times, "dated" 35-40 women... He's going back to get Inna, and we meet her parents. They tell us most girls get married at 18, and since she's 30, they're worried about her being alone forever. They don't want her going so far, but respect her decision. Admirable. Fresno Robert goes back to see the Vita, and proposed within the first hour of being back in Ukraine. We see her parents who say they're happy for both of them. Next we're in Bali and Australian Mike reveals he received an email warning him about marrying Svitlana. They move forward and end up get married. HR Bobby ended the relationship Julia because she was being dodgy, feels he was scammed, and John Adams even says AFA is looking out for AFA. Wisconsin Travis arrives and while excited, says something feels off. On his last day, Travis basically bribed the police and a loan shark to not arrest Victoria. Australian Mike says sometimes he waits hours to speak with Svitlana, meanwhile, she admits to maintaining relationship with multiple men to choose if and where she wants to go if she leaves Ukraine.
-Maybe you're just a douche canoe, Ron. I mean, in his interviews, he's wearing a fucking Abercrombie sweater, and he's 50+!!
-How much money has Eric spent? $100K?!
-As much as we joke about it, the cultural norm there is HUGE with family and being married... Maybe there is something to that?
-Why am I not surprised some of these girls used the foreign guys to either pay debts or as an escape plan.
6 Months Later
We see Vita going through all of the medical tests needed for a Fiance Passport and the American Embassy to get it. Next, Inna is in Texas. Meeting Erics parents. Australian Mike gravels back to Ukraine to see Svitlana, she definitely sounds like she doesn't want him there. She says he's never asked her how she feels, and that she is just an idea he has, that she embodies. Vita has gotten her passport after only 3 questions. She shares a tearful goodbye with family and friends. They follow and film her trip an America. She's obviously never been on a plane before. Fresno Robert is waiting and they have a very happy meeting. Back in Texas, Eric and Inna are going for a court wedding, in a tiny red dress, and a sleeveless t-shirt. They're married with a VERY aggressive kiss from Eric. Australian Michael speaks with Svitlana, she wants to end the relationship, and he's upset. Ron is shown to be dating a woman in his hometown. HR Bobby gave up on dating, got depressed, worked through it and decided to give it another try. Wisconsin Travis has given up. Fresno Robert married Vita. Inna is shown to be pregnant.
-Good for San Antonio Eric, seems she's legit.
-The look on Erics family's face is classic.
-Do you think it's legit with Inna.
-Following Vita, I can't imagine how difficult letting her go would be. Hurts my heart.
-I legit felt good for Robert and Vita.
-Same with Eric and Inna.
-Fucking Ron grabbing the woman's butt.
10 Days = Wife: Love Translated
Directed by Julia Ivanova
We open to a man playing guitar. It centers on Anastasia.com, and there are several men who are from all over the world traveling to Eastern Europe to find a woman. There are some women talking about the differences between American men and Ukrainian men. All the while the guys are explaining what happened, why they're searching for a new wife, divorce, work, etc. They go and judge a Miss Odessa competition. There is a lot of exposition and explanation, comparing and contrasting what they're looking for. It's pointed out again that Ukrainian men get drunk too often. Before the social, there is a disclaimer that they don't know these women personally, so they'll have to judge how honest they are. The cab driver asks why an 18 year old would want a grandpa? They talk about how some are professional brides and there are some of the guys who are professional grooms.
-The Miss Odessa competition was gross.
-This one is a little more...predatory.
-Dude thinks feminism has robbed women... Hmmm.
-A lot of focus on the womens bodies
8 Days to go: Gaining Access:
We watch one of the guys on a very quiet date, while the Asian dude meets one of the girls from the Miss Odessa competition. After, the guys meet and discuss their strategy for meeting/deciding on which women to pursue. There is a bit of history about Ukraine, how/why it's in the state its in today. For some reason, we're shown some street musicians playing, and it seems the police try to stop them, when a by-stander accuses them of touring Odessa into a prison. The musicians keep playing.
-The guys discussing their strategies for meeting women was uncomfortable.
-When the guys are in the car talking about wine and how the Bordeaux "opens up" and has a "nose"
-The guys on the beach were creepy too.
7 Days to go: Moving Forward
More guys talk about what ended their previous relationships, their personal history, and what they're looking for. Heading for their 3rd/final social. One guy goes with a woman and a translator... Who hw says he likes both. Some awkward white guy dance moves later set to some authentic Ukrainian music.
5 Days to go: "Reality leaves a lot to imagination" -John Lennon
Guys continue to talk and discuss with various women. The guy who was seeing the two women, one being the translator, picked one... And said the other was upset, but then started picking up English faster and shaking her butt at him. More discussion and a visit to a museum. One of the girls is shown getting ready, talking about where and how she lives. How she affords everything. We see the Asian-Canadian talking about one girl who is a singer...and how if she comes, and becomes a mother, she can't sing anymore, because you can't do both.
-Fucking what. He was genuinely excited about the girl shaking her butt at him. Gross.
-This one is definitely more gross than the other one.
-Watching the girl get ready is nice...but did it need to go SO LONG
-Getting a little...Eh...with the Asian/Canadian dude.
3 Days to go: Love conquers All:
There seems to be some conflict between two of the guys, maybe going for the same woman. The guys are sitting around discussing how to immigrate the women into wherever they live. Two couples are having drinks by the pool. One of the guys had the girl come to the hotel with him, the other ended up along, having a smoke at the bar.
-The guy smelling the wine. Good God. How pretentious.
1 Day to go: Now or Never:
The Asian/Canadian wants to pursue the singer, but she politely turns him down. He receives a very nice letter from one of the Miss Odessa competition, which he is considering as a backup. We're then shown some women, whose faces have been obscured, admitting they have written letters for "brides" and many are just looking for free food and shopping, not really for long term. Some are, but not many. We see Michael, further courting the Miss Odessa contestant, who we find out is only 18. One of the guys stopped seeing a woman because she was too dramatic and he didn't want to bring flowers every time. We see a French guy who is looking for a girl under 30, and he is 57... There is a guy who straight-out says having the Eastern European women approach them is an ego boost. We're shown a double date with the guy who said the woman was too dramatic, and is a total asshole. He ignores her, smokes when she doesn't want him to, and is generally an ass. Though, they seem to make up. The guys then all pack up and go home.
Six months later, only one couple is still together: one of the interpreters has divorced her husband, and will be moving to Minnesota.
-The French guy is gross too. 57 looking for under 30...
-The double date... FUCK that guy.
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