[Giacomo Casanova]

Short update about Minsk. I can see some negative changes compared to few months ago when I had a blast. There are definitely more foreigners in the clubs and in vulitsa Zybickaya, even though most of them are not competitive they contribute to worsen the male/female ratio. Hence girls are getting more suspicious if you speak English when you approach, a similar dynamic that I observe in the rest of EE. Getting laid is not easy even though if you are in top 5/10% in terms of looks, game, etc. you can play your cards. Best reception you can have being originally from countries like Switzerland, Italy or France. Unlike Poland, those girls are generally able to assess correctly the value of a man and dates with them are pleasant and interesting. FSU mentality. They dress amazingly and know how to take care of themselves. Nightlife is pretty bad during the week but quite busy in the weekend.

[Gopnik]

@Giacomo do you mean specifically Europeans/Westerners?

When I was there, I saw a fair share of foreigners. Mostly students from Central Asia, Latin America and Africa but very few turists.

I really don't think the problem is "suspicion" as much as it might be just a language and culture barrier.

To be fair though, I've met quite a few Ukrainians and Belorussians and they're usually more reserved than Russians. It's interesting how despite in many cases speaking the same language and being culturally very similar, there's still significant differences here and there. Overall I find Russians a lot more extroverted and generally fun to be around.

How long did you stay btw? Perhaps you'd have a better reception in Moscow or St. Pete but either way, I'm not surprised Minsk is tough for short trips.

[Giacomo Casanova]

On Thursday there was the match of Europe League Bate Borisov - Cologne and I saw a lot of Germans around and in the night they went to party. Yes I was surprised to see a few Spanish and even a Brazilian guy. On the other end it's right most of them are from Turkey, China, etc. and generally not competitive. Ridiculous episode: groups of Chinese on a table in a club putting their hands up and flashing dollars...
I saw some difference in terms of girls attitude compared to last time I was there; probably there were many tourists in summer taking profit of the 5-days free VISA and being a foreigner doesn't give anymore *special* added value. You are successful if you do your homework. But few girls still do notice you in the clubs if you have a good look and at least they smile back if you smile, things that do not happen in West or Westernized EE. It was a long weekend and in my opinion UA and PL could be more difficult for ONS. It depends if you are able to catch the right moment with the right girl. Still it could take some dates if the girl is really wonderful and in few days it's not always automatic to get laid.
The language barrier might impact but if a girl is really interested she will speak a pigeon English or use google translate during a date. I had a very pleasant date (better than the usual boring PL dates) going on in this way. Girls who are not interested will say "nie pani maiu" or "I don't speak English" and go away.

[Matt Forney]

Question: with regards to the money requirement to enter Belarus visa-free, do you need to print out your bank statements or something or just show them cash at customs? Or do they not care?

[TripleG]

They do not care about the money requirement, at least i did not get asked when arriving, they care more about Health Insurance requirement but that can be bought at Minsk Airport upon landing for €4

[MrRemi]

Pro tip for immigration: bring a pen to fill out the immigration form. They don't give you one on the plane and the ones that are supposed to be in the arrival hall have all been stolen.

I wasn't questioned about money.

[Rossi]

Are there significant differences between Ukraine and Belarus?

[BacanT]

(11-01-2017 06:01 AM)Rossi Wrote:  

Are there significant differences between Ukraine and Belarus?

Cost for starters. I flew from Minsk to Lviv and noticed prices of going out (food and drinks) in Minsk are at least 3 times those of Lviv. Lviv being very cheap.

[MrRemi]

(11-01-2017 06:01 AM)Rossi Wrote:  

Are there significant differences between Ukraine and Belarus?

Yes, massive difference.

Kiev is a shithole full of thugs, prostitutes and Turks. It's dirty, traffic is insane, and it's corrupt on every level (from low grade police officers to the president).

Minsk on the other hand is much more civilized. It's a well functioning dictatorship. It's clean, traffic runs somehow smoothly, and it's more peaceful. Also economically Belarus is better off than Ukraine, with less unemployment (1%) and a higher GDP per capita (6200$). It's a bit more expensive for going out (drinks, food and Uber).

What girls are concerned, I'd say Belorussian and Ukrainian girls are similar. In general they look for stable commitment but there's always some outliers sluts.

[TripleG]

the other difference between Kiev and Minsk is that there is way more to do in Kiev than Minsk. Whether it's more nightlife, festivals/concerts, businesses open late at night or just popular pedestrian neighborhoods Kiev has Minsk beat. However if you want a quiet, clean, safe city with friendlier girls on avg, speak good Russian and do not need to be entertained (you can see main Minsk sights in just 1 day and on weekdays everything closes early so boredom is an issue) then Minsk wins hands down.

[eck]

and what about second tier cities, for example Brest vs Lviv, in summer?

[robreke]

for those who have traveled there, have you noticed young women with older guys, like late 30s or 40s? I'm interested in young women's attitude toward older men here, who presumably, have their shit together.

[edlefou]

(12-12-2017 08:18 PM)robreke Wrote:  

for those who have traveled there, have you noticed young women with older guys, like late 30s or 40s? I'm interested in young women's attitude toward older men here, who presumably, have their shit together.

I've only visited for a few days here and there over the years, so take this with a grain of salt. Traktor lives there, I think, so he can give better insight.

It's not noticeable to the level you see in Thailand, Philippines, etc. where you can't help but notice because it's right in your face almost everywhere.

However, it's not shocking or rare to see a younger woman with a much older man.

[TripleG]

I was there 2 months ago for a week. Cant say i saw much younger women with older guys...most couples were of similar age. I myself tried to game a girl 12 years younger than myself and could feel the age difference. If I was 28 vs 38 it would have helped. However it does happen and Traktor can share some stories but definitely not as commonly as in UKraine. What you do see though is guys dating up

[Matt Forney]

I posted this in the "Russian Language" thread, but I'm considering enrolling in Minsk State Linguistic University's Russian summer course due to the price (less than $1,000 for three months and 20 academic hours a week) and because it's an easy way to live in Belarus:

https://www.mslu.by/summer-course-of-russian

Does anyone have a recommendation on where I can find an apartment in Minsk for the summer? I'm looking at Airbnb and Kvartirant, but the former is overpriced and the latter is difficult reading in translation.

Also, with regards to the letter of invitation/student visa requirements, can anyone recommend:

a) a service where I can get a notarized Russian translation of my passport (for the letter of invitation; I'm looking for a local place in Budapest but I'm willing to do it over the Internet)
b) a service where I can get an notarized copy/apostille and notarized Russian translation of my high school/college degrees (that appears to be a requirement for the visa; they also seem to accept the original degree in lieu of an apostille and translation, but that would require me to have my degree mailed to where I live in Budapest)

Appreciate any and all help.

[Lermontov]

^
Locals, including some friends of mine, find appartments to rent here for short-term and long-term (it's in russian though...) :
https://new.vk.com/arenda_bez_posrednikov_minsk

There are decent looking appartments for about 200$US a month.

[Lordleon]

I've heard they give 5-10 days free Visa for europeans if you enter the country trough Minsk airport but what if you do in a train or bus ? I was thinking in a Vilnius-Minsk trip-

[eck]

(03-08-2018 12:16 PM)Lordleon Wrote:  

I've heard they give 5-10 days free Visa for europeans if you enter the country trough Minsk airport but what if you do in a train or bus ? I was thinking in a Vilnius-Minsk trip-

So far you can't enter the country by land, just by the airport. There are visa-free zones in grodno and brest region, but you can't get deeper into the country.

[TigerTim]

(10-22-2017 09:15 AM)Giacomo Casanova Wrote:  

Short update about Minsk. I can see some negative changes compared to few months ago when I had a blast. There are definitely more foreigners in the clubs and in vulitsa Zybickaya, even though most of them are not competitive they contribute to worsen the male/female ratio. Hence girls are getting more suspicious if you speak English when you approach, a similar dynamic that I observe in the rest of EE. Getting laid is not easy even though if you are in top 5/10% in terms of looks, game, etc. you can play your cards. Best reception you can have being originally from countries like Switzerland, Italy or France. Unlike Poland, those girls are generally able to assess correctly the value of a man and dates with them are pleasant and interesting. FSU mentality. They dress amazingly and know how to take care of themselves. Nightlife is pretty bad during the week but quite busy in the weekend.

Italy? lol, Italians are seen as the Turks of Europe.. thirsty, desperate and women avoid them like a plague unless the guy come out as non desperate and is obviously above the average looking man.

I would like to see How Minsk would compare to Vilnus or Riga.

In whole Eastern Europe the trophy by worst reputation prize is contended by 1)Turks closely followed by the Italians then the British(sometimes the Irish get lumped in) and also the Spanish, although the last ones definitely more passive than Italians and far less Violent than brits.

The best reputation is by West Europeans of non-Latin/and non British Origin, Specially Germans, Dutch and Swedes/Norwegians/Danes, as they are seen as wealthy and more relaxed (less desperate).

[edlefou]

(03-07-2018 10:03 PM)Lermontov Wrote:  

^
Locals, including some friends of mine, find appartments to rent here for short-term and long-term (it's in russian though...) :
https://new.vk.com/arenda_bez_posrednikov_minsk

There are decent looking appartments for about 200$US a month.

The long term flats are up to USD$200 a month. Short term rates are less attactive, but still cheap. Would a few months for a summer course get you the long term rate? Are your friends renting through that site citizens of Belarus?

[Smuthe]

(03-08-2018 04:53 PM)TigerTim Wrote:  

(10-22-2017 09:15 AM)Giacomo Casanova Wrote:  

Short update about Minsk. I can see some negative changes compared to few months ago when I had a blast. There are definitely more foreigners in the clubs and in vulitsa Zybickaya, even though most of them are not competitive they contribute to worsen the male/female ratio. Hence girls are getting more suspicious if you speak English when you approach, a similar dynamic that I observe in the rest of EE. Getting laid is not easy even though if you are in top 5/10% in terms of looks, game, etc. you can play your cards. Best reception you can have being originally from countries like Switzerland, Italy or France. Unlike Poland, those girls are generally able to assess correctly the value of a man and dates with them are pleasant and interesting. FSU mentality. They dress amazingly and know how to take care of themselves. Nightlife is pretty bad during the week but quite busy in the weekend.

Italy? lol, Italians are seen as the Turks of Europe.. thirsty, desperate and women avoid them like a plague unless the guy come out as non desperate and is obviously above the average looking man.

I would like to see How Minsk would compare to Vilnus or Riga.

In whole Eastern Europe the trophy by worst reputation prize is contended by 1)Turks closely followed by the Italians then the British(sometimes the Irish get lumped in) and also the Spanish, although the last ones definitely more passive than Italians and far less Violent than brits.

The best reputation is by West Europeans of non-Latin/and non British Origin, Specially Germans, Dutch and Swedes/Norwegians/Danes, as they are seen as wealthy and more relaxed (less desperate).

Classy Italian guys do well, but they are not the type to go to Riga for a weekend of rubbing and tugging. Scandinavian and dutch men are too Beta for women outside of Beta countries to treat them seriously.

Italian guys and British guys(not the lager louts) are usually the cream of the crop for most women.

[Lermontov]

(03-09-2018 11:45 AM)edlefou Wrote:  

(03-07-2018 10:03 PM)Lermontov Wrote:  

^
Locals, including some friends of mine, find appartments to rent here for short-term and long-term (it's in russian though...) :
https://new.vk.com/arenda_bez_posrednikov_minsk

There are decent looking appartments for about 200$US a month.

The long term flats are up to USD$200 a month. Short term rates are less attactive, but still cheap. Would a few months for a summer course get you the long term rate? Are your friends renting through that site citizens of Belarus?

My friends are all Belarusian.

For the rest I guess that it depends. Better to message the posters directly and to see what's possible. You could also post about what you are looking for, many do that in the group.

[edlefou]

Has anyone heard of someone who successfully got an invitation for a type C private visa? That's the one I'd prefer to get, but I haven't found anyone who does non-tourist visa support. Easy to get for Russia, but seemingly impossible for Belarus.

[BajaBlues]

Hey guys does anyone know the general pricing for bottle service at a place like black house or the typical club in Minsk? Thanks

[lennon2791]

This a harsh truth. After being in Russia and Ukraine, Belorussian women in Minsk are one step below, close to Polish girls in terms of butterfaces. But in this one weekend I had two notches, where in Moscow that is what I had in 3 weeks.
Not much attention on Twitter or Russian cupid, but one interested cute girl is worth than a 1000 likes on facebook or intagram.