Internet dating today is one of the most lucrative markets. A reported 20% of relationships now begin online. There is no longer a social stigma in finding your life partner through the personal columns of a magazine, or more likely, on your laptop. In fact, everybody’s doing it. You don’t even have to look locally, as the Internet now means the only barrier between you and fellow singletons is the time difference between your countries. Russian women are particularly sought after on international dating sites. They have exotic looks, enthusiasm, and they are seeking a life outside their native country, which is something a good number of foreign men are happy to oblige. A dramatic increase in the numbers of Russian women dating foreigners online came about after the fall of the USSR in the mid 1990’s. Females outnumber the male population there, but apparently that’s not the only reason for these ladies looking elsewhere for love. Olga Campbell writes in her article ‘About Russian Men’, that the reason they started to look further afield for a mate, was the tremendous impact their history had on shaping Russian male attitudes. Through the abject repression the nation suffered, she believes the women developed resilience and fortitude, whereas the men became bitter, immature, and unappreciative of their female counterparts. Olga herself is Russian, and now resides in Ottawa with a Canadian husband.
