Most of the Russian women marrying American men have no idea of what to expect – or expect the wrong thing, due to various misconceptions – and, as a result, experience what is called "culture shock" that can last from one to several years and is usually described by their husbands as the most trying time. The woman will need to get over her misconceptions, face the reality, and learn to live with it. She will have a totally different lifestyle to understand and adjust to.

You might ask, but isn’t this lifestyle so much better than what she had in Russia? Wouldn’t she be happy to accept it? You’d think so, but that is usually not the case. The appreciation of the many benefits of the American life comes with time (if it does at all), but not right away. Do not think that if you marry a Russian woman she will instantly love it here in the US and will be eternally grateful to you for bringing her over. Nothing can be farther from truth. You have no idea how many Russian wives live here, having everything a good American husband can offer, and yet spend their days cursing everything about America. Some never grow out of this attitude, and view themselves as some sort of self-sacrificing martyrs, living here in this terrible place only because they love their husband, or because it is better for the kids. What exactly do they find so terrible about America? Let’s see, where do I start…