|
|
|
Natasha, represented by the Shade Introduction Agency in St. Petersburg, Russia, receives a bouquet of roses from an admirer who saw her picture online. (Photograph by Bill Swersey)
|
|
|
 en of the marrying kind who have waited in vain for the right woman to come along often feel they have no time to dally. Spurred by the ticking of their own biological clocks, these yearning singles can return (yet again) to the usual wife-hunting haunts -- workplaces, bars, fitness clubs -- place or answer a personal ad, or do the latest thing: check out a bride catalog or "introduction agency" on the Net.Entrepreneurial Russians have been particularly active in this area. The home page for Shade Introduction Agency in St. Petersburg lists at least a dozen hyperlink options, including "International Marriage Bureau," "Russian Singles," "Singles of the World," "How to Join Singles of the World," and "Shade Picture Gallery." The latter, warning of "sexually oriented adult material," instructs those under 21 years old not to proceed. The Russian singles are divided into "under 35" and "over 35." Aside from their names, no other information is given, as if email romance needed even more mystery. To learn more about someone, wife seekers have to pay up, of course. With a click of the mouse and a credit card charge of $19.95, men can send their love interests a present, which Shade promises to deliver within 24 hours. Flowers, the classic choice, are suggested. From there, the transaction becomes more complicated and expensive. Package deals that include airfare, lodging, and introductions cost as much as $5,000. Visa, MasterCard, and RediCheck accepted.
|
|
