How do you begin an online conversation with a foreign girl?

[Light]

I'm using an online dating app to message Russian girls. I got a several matches with girls that would be considered attractive in America. Thin, nice face, and probably no tattoos or dyed hair. I'm out of practice since I stopped messaging girls online and my last few times abroad weren't about meeting girls so I haven't really done first messages.

I continue to talk with a few girls that I have as friends in Russia but since I already have them as friends it is easier to talk to them than with a new girl. It's not I'm afraid or anything, it is I have zero idea how to begin a first message.

My first trip to try to test the waters with foreign dating would have been this summer but coronavirus happened.

I don't know how to start it off. I could always read articles again and watch guides but I'm at zero again with opening messages when I was somewhat decent at first messages a few years ago when I was sending out several every few days.

Now that I'm using a popular Russian dating app and both people need to swipe right before chatting, it probably means I passed the looks test for the girl so now its the first few messages.

What would you do for your first conversation? Your first online message and conversation.

[Yohan]

The first question is likely in which language do you want to talk with me, what languages can you speak...Do you have time to talk to me for a few minutes? Wher do you live in Russia?
Something like that...