I agree my Muscovite freind. Those of us who wear the beard bear more intelligence than the average. It is understood that the beard offers protection from many elements.

Hey dbbya01, have you ever thought that it is not the beard ?
You are just plain ugly !

My newly found freind, I have been speaking to a wonderful Russian woman for 2 months and she does not want me to come to see her. She says it's too dangerous. Is she embarrassed about her situation or is she speaking the truth. I do not care about her situation I really have started to care for her. Russian women are so different and I do not want to offend her. If you have any advice I'd be in debt to you. Thank you.

i disagree - the camera is not very flattering - it was an old leica black and white taken in siberia at temperatures much below freezing -

it is 50-50. Some ladies like beards and some do not. Other than some religions that require it, it is an individual choice.
it also depends on your job requirements.
Some will discriminate and some will like it.

Dobriy dehn Rasputin!
At the time that photograph was taken camera's just didn't work far below freezing. :-)
By the way, at his time Rasputin must have been popular enough with quite a few.
If women indeed avoid hairy faced man than they may have a case, beard or mustache often serve to hide something behind...

To rstindle:
Would need more info to provide you with sound advice, but with what you mentioned above I would have serious doubts.
I have been in a situation where a lady from the east did not want me to meet at her place at first (indeed embarrassed), but definitely arranged another meeting place where I could stay as well, not far from her home.
Drop me a note in my box if you would like to discuss this further.

It's not about the beard...It's about the face!

Comrade rst - this women she is embarrassed ? This may or may not be sincere - poverty is something that most people even in the west are ashamed about - chronic poverty as endured here is certainly something that some would like best to be hidden in case it offend or change mind of westerner - or perhaps it could be subterfuge and she has no intention of meeting you as she only wants money - only you know the circumstances i can not speculate further for you - i wish you luck and now i must trim my beard as i have a date !

Mr dbbya how can you tolerate having a bag of hay attached to your chin ? i can understand that the cold siberian climate makes sense to clothe your face but this is a dating site and you have not put any thought into attracting a female suitor - also their is the question of hygiene - what woman in her right mind would want to be smothered in flufff ?