April 30th 2024.
In Eastern Europe, there is a thriving market for "mail-order brides", a term that has become synonymous with women from this region looking for marriage opportunities abroad. This market has been heavily influenced by stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood movies like Borat, portraying Eastern European women as gold-diggers with traditional values. These stereotypes have been further reinforced by figures like Andrew Tate, known for promoting toxic masculinity, and his followers.
The idea of Eastern European women as the complete opposite of an independent, modern woman is what has fueled the "mail-order bride" industry for many years. Catalogs and dating websites, such as Rose Brides, have been popular among customers from the US and Western Europe, featuring images of stunning Eastern European women. However, the situation has changed in recent years due to events such as Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. The borders have opened up, making it easier for women to travel and live in countries like the UK and US, and the industry has shifted to other Eastern European nations like Moldova, Georgia, Poland, and Armenia.
Conor Clyne, a British-Irish lawyer living in Ukraine, has been a part of this industry for some time now. He runs a business called The Tsar Experience, offering "Slavic Seduction Secrets" to Western men for a hefty fee. He describes himself as a lifestyle coach and tour guide, having spent over a decade in the region and learning multiple languages. Through his YouTube channel, he shares tips on how to attract "9s and 10s" (referring to women who are considered highly attractive) in Eastern Europe. He also claims that the women in this region are more attractive and less emancipated compared to those in Western countries, citing the low obesity rates as evidence.
According to Conor, the marketing of Eastern European women as the epitome of beauty and traditional values has been a major factor in the industry's success. He says that this marketing is primarily done by matchmakers and dating sites, presenting these women as "supermodels with the values of your grandmother". His YouTube channel also promotes the idea that these women are perfect housewives, always wearing heels and baking cookies for their man.
Taisiia Iaremii, who runs a matchmaking agency in Ukraine, also credits her business's growth to YouTube. She teaches foreigners about her country and culture, and many of her viewers are men seeking advice on how to meet Slavic women in Ukraine. Taisiia says that the matchmaking business is booming, with many men falling victim to scams by agencies promising to connect them with the "perfect" Eastern European woman. She also points out that some of these men have unrealistic expectations, wanting the most attractive women because they believe they live a sheltered life and have never left their country. However, as Taisiia points out, women in cities like Ukraine are just like women anywhere else, leading normal lives and having traveled to many countries.
The market for 'mail-order brides' in Eastern Europe is a booming business. Unfortunately, it's fueled by stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood movies like Borat that depict Eastern European women as gold-diggers with traditional values. This outdated portrayal has been revived by Andrew Tate, a self-proclaimed 'king of toxic masculinity', and his followers. These women are portrayed as the complete opposite of the modern, independent woman - they are seen as seeking to escape to a Western "Wonderland."
These harmful narratives, combined with visa restrictions in many Eastern European countries, have created a demand for the so-called 'mail-order bride' industry for decades. Catalogs filled with photos of 'bombshells' and dating websites like Rose Brides, specifically targeting customers from the US and Western Europe, have been popular in places like Ukraine and Russia for years. However, the war led by Vladimir Putin has changed this dynamic. With Ukraine's borders now open to the rest of the world, it has become easier for women to travel and live in countries like the UK and US.
Conor Clyne, a British-Irish lawyer who has spent over a decade in Eastern Europe, has taken advantage of this market through his business, The Tsar Experience. For over £300, he sells 'Slavic Seduction Secrets' to Western men, helping them live their dream lifestyle in countries like Moldova, Poland, and Kazakhstan - what he refers to as the 'New Europe'. Conor, who now describes himself as a lifestyle coach and tour guide, has made a name for himself through his YouTube channel, where he posts videos like 'Why you must move to New Europe as a single Western guy', 'Why online dating is bad for meeting 9s and 10s in New Europe', and 'How to have a long-term relationship with 9s and 10s in New Europe'.
However, Conor also acknowledges the dark side of the industry and describes the 'bride industry' in Ukraine as a 'dating disaster' and a 'scam'. He believes that since the war, the market has shifted to countries like Moldova, Georgia, Poland, and Armenia.
When asked about the interest in Eastern European women among Western men, Conor explains that it is partly due to the low obesity rates in the region, especially among women under 40. This is in contrast to places like the UK and Ireland, where he was born and sees a significant difference in the level of obesity. He also believes that Eastern European women are generally more attractive and prioritize their appearance more than Western women. These factors, combined with the traditional values and perceived submissiveness of Eastern European women, make them desirable to Western men.
Taisiia Iaremii, who runs a 'matchmaking' agency in Ukraine, has also seen a surge in interest from Western men. Like Conor, she started her business through a YouTube channel where she shares information about her country and culture. She has noticed that about 80% of her viewers are men from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and recently, India. These men often reach out to her for tips on how to meet Slavic women in Ukraine and share their experiences of being scammed by other agencies.
Taisiia explains that there are different types of matchmaking agencies - some charge per message, while others have a more traditional approach of filling out a personal profile and being introduced to a potential partner. She acknowledges that the business is booming, but also feels sorry for men who have been scammed. However, she also points out that some men have unrealistic expectations and become too picky, wanting only the most attractive women because they believe that women in Ukraine have never left the country and live a sheltered life. In reality, many women in Ukraine live a normal life and have traveled to more countries than the average American citizen.
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