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Author: Sam (---.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net)
Date: 07-14-06 13:39
Tony,
As in the US I am sure there are Russian businesses that offer a package of invitation and visa together. In the US I pay around $450 for a one year multiple entry Visa with invitation and visa fee included. Most Russian travel agencies in the US not only offer this service but also can sell you domestic air tickets. There are more Russians in London than there are in any other Western European city; certainly more than in Los Angeles; so I am sure you can find a Russian travel agency to this for you. Note however, the longer term visas require longer processing time for invitation and the visa itself. I allow one month for the one year visa.
As for display of affection, the Russians are more into it than we Americans or you, the Brits! You will see it everywhere, especially in larger cities. The Russian’s sense of timing is different though, and as you are probably looking for a lady over 35, belonging to the old Soviet culture than what is known there as the New Russian, you should be more conservative with your sense of timing. When timing is correct, public display of affection is common and delightful for the ladies.
Aside from the romantic kiss which should be timed correctly, the proper way to kiss Russians in greeting –when some friendship (or a few meetings) has been established- is to kiss three times on the cheeks, alternating from left to right!
Meeting a lady for the first time does not require flowers or a gift, although doing so would be preferable and if so keep it modest and small. In my first meeting, I offered a small scented candle –that I bought in Los Angeles- when meeting a lady outside, because the lady could put it in her purse and not walk around to a café and back with a huge bouquet of flowers!! Flowers are suited if you know you are meeting at a café after which you put her into a taxi for which you pay the driver. That way the flowers are not a logistical problem!
Shoes should come off not only in Uzbekistan but also in Russia! Do not be fooled by the older, dirtier look of the Russian cities; on the whole Russians, especially their women, have better hygiene and sense of tidiness than American or Brits do, which means they take their shoes off right at the entry and use slippers!
Feel free to ask other questions, although I do not have any experience with Uzbekistan; but I am sure some other people here might.
Good luck!
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