Thread: So what are you Russians really like??

I am a big fan of Russian authors (Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Gogol) but the problem is I haven't had much contact with Russians in Canada. So I've joined a couple online forums to learn more about Russia, from actual Russians.

I knew a half ukranian girl, and she had a lot of russian friends that we used to party with in Toronto, Canada. They seemed like a cool bunch. I worked with a Russian dude from Siberia as a security guard for a couple of months. He told me a lot about Russia, really nice guy. He said that Russians have a tendency to be really violent (haha) That fighting is like a national past time. All Russian males get drunk and pick fights every weekend. I thought that was pretty funny.

But recently I heard that there is a lot of racism in Russia and white-supremacist groups are targeting foreign students. Is there any truth to this or its just anti-Russian propaganda?

The other problem is that the Western media is pretty anti-Russia. (It's pretty much anti-everything that isn't Western). But that's expected. So I can't really rely on the news to know more about Russia. Since I dont know Russian, I cant read Russian papers either. (any good Russian-English papers?)

So what I really want to know is what is Russian culture really like? And is it very different from the culture that one finds described in novels like War and Peace, Brothers K., Notes, Dead Souls, The Idiot? They were pre-revolutionary. Has Russian culture changed a lot since then? Obviously it has changed, but how?

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

But recently I heard that there is a lot of racism in Russia and white-supremacist groups are targeting foreign students. Is there any truth to this or its just anti-Russian propaganda?

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

The other problem is that the Western media is pretty anti-Russia.

Any questions?
Talking seriously a it's part of truth.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

I cant read Russian papers either. (any good Russian-English papers?)

All i can advice is RT – Latest News
This mass-media is pro-goverment so you have to filter it.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

So what I really want to know is what is Russian culture really like?

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

All Russian males get drunk and pick fights every weekend

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

He told me a lot about Russia, really nice guy. He said that Russians have a tendency to be really violent (haha) That fighting is like a national past time.All Russian males get drunk and pick fights every weekend. I thought that was pretty funny.

I'd say that either your acquaintance was simply inventing stories or he'd been living in a very peculiar neighborhood and society.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

But recently I heard that there is a lot of racism in Russia and white-supremacist groups are targeting foreign students. Is there any truth to this or its just anti-Russian propaganda?

Well, this happens in big cities now and then (probably once in six month or so according to my observations) but every single incident gets blown out of proportions by media. Russia is a multi-national country and of course some bickering take place. The antagonism towards some ethnic groups from Caucasus and Middle Asia (also citizens of Russia) is much stronger though than it is to black people or any other foreigner. I think, neo-nazis can be found in any country if you look hard, every nation has some trash in it, I suppose.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

The other problem is that the Western media is pretty anti-Russia. (It's pretty much anti-everything that isn't Western). But that's expected. So I can't really rely on the news to know more about Russia. Since I dont know Russian, I cant read Russian papers either. (any good Russian-English papers?)

I cannot recommend any TV-channel to you (probably RT as it's been said) since I don't watch TV, but you can even read left newspapers (try The Guardian). They, more or less unbiased, but that, I think, happens not out of any great Pro-Russian sentiments, but simply to irritate their government.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

So what I really want to know is what is Russian culture really like?

Now, that's a major question! An impossible one to answer, too. Try to be more specific with it.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

And is it very different from the culture that one finds described in novels like War and Peace, Brothers K., Notes, Dead Souls, The Idiot? They were pre-revolutionary. Has Russian culture changed a lot since then? Obviously it has changed, but how?

I don't know wher're you from, but take any writer that lived 150-200 years ago and compare the things he wrote about with the present times? Do you see any differences at all? Of course, everything's different now. The revolution of course took part in it, three generations had been born and brought up to share the communist ideals and the culture reflected that. Now, the new times turned everything upside down and swapped vices and virtues again. Your question is meaningless unless you tell us more about what you are particularly interected in because it will take us several years if we try to describe everything that has changed during the past two hundred years.

I'm not one of "them Russians", but I'm immensely interested in Russian culture too, and I know enough Russian to be able to read what they write about themselves. Here's what I've learned thus far:

First off, Russia has indeed changed. But that's not due to the October Revolution. Man, that was like a century ago! The bigger change occurred some 20 years back, when the Soviet Union collapsed (actually it started a bit earlier, when Gorbachev launched his Perestroika). Whatever movie/music/book you watch/listen to/read that belongs to the Soviet era is totally outdated nowadays.

There are two ways to figure out what it's all really like over there. The easier (and more practical) way is, well, just go there and see for yourself! The other one is learning the language. The language is pretty hard, but it's worth it. Give it a shot. If you like their literature, you'll love reading it in the original.

From what I've read and watched, city life in modern Russia (especially in the two most famous Russian cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg) is pretty similar to any major Western European city.

Then you mention the violence and drinking tendencies and all. There's a grain of truth in it, but it's been over-exaggerated. They're not "violent". They're not "rude". They're just "honest". Perhaps a bit too honest, though. Imagine an Englishman who doesn't like you: he'll politely desist from talking to you. A Russian, on the other hand, won't hesitate: he'll tell you what he thinks of you right in your face. Naturally, a fight is likely to ensue. And they seem to love this behavior, too. They consider it "sincere", and expect others to be just as sincere. Many Russians can't stand that kind of dry Western-style tactfulness.

And about racism, I'm gonna have to leave this one to Russians themselves. But this much I will tell you: Russia is a biiiiig country. Take a glance at any map and you'll know. There are ethnic minorities everywhere up and down the place. There are many Russians with non-Russian names, which is a direct result of 70 something years of union with other nations. They seem to get along well, at least outwardly. But absolute foreigners might experience some problems. I really have to stop right there.

It's a good thing that you've already realized the anti-Russian bias of the Western media. Saves you a lot of misunderstanding. Just turn off that CNN nonsense and grab a good post-Soviet movie.

Originally Posted by Misha Tal

They're not "violent". They're not "rude". They're just "honest". Perhaps a bit too honest, though. Imagine an Englishman who doesn't like you: he'll politely desist from talking to you. A Russian, on the other hand, won't hesitate: he'll tell you what he thinks of you right in your face. Naturally, a fight is likely to ensue. And they seem to love this behavior, too. They consider it "sincere", and expect others to be just as sincere. Many Russians can't stand that kind of dry Western-style tactfulness.

This is one more stereotype, though more thorough. Many Russians like this stereotype and there is "a grain of truth in it" as always. But in fact these tendencies are not polar: there is a long cultural staircase of sincerity vs politeness. I remember young Tajiks in Dushanbe, they were more sincere and less polite than Russian-spoken people. And maybe, let us say, Japanese are more polite and less sincere than "Western" standard implies, idunno.

Oh really! Don't you know that Russians can't be trusted? So don't believe any of the above....

In reality they are drunk on vodka noon to night!

The rest of the time they are either:

Reading poetry or 19th century literature
Singing "Kalinka"
Deciding what to do with all their nukes.. Decisions, decisions, hehe..
Being subjected to human rights violations by their autocratic government...
Hiding from the bears and wolves that roam the streets of central Moscow...

No but seriously; it's not possible to sum up the culture of an entire country in a short post!

I don't think Russia is very different from elsewhere in Europe. But it seems to me that there are some similarities the USA that no other country in Europe shares; Nowhere else in Europe has such a large population, multiple time zones or military forces that people actually take notice of... On the other hand Russians seem more humble about their country and its past and present (apart from when it comes to WW2) It seems to me that the country itself has more in common with the USA but that the people are more like Europeans.

And I agree with Misha: Films are a good way of learning about the culture of a country, when you don't have the opportunity to go there yourself. So find some films about Russian history starting far back, and then work your way up to the current time.

Hiding from the bears and wolves that roam the streets of central Moscow...

Correction: Hunting the bears and volves hiding from them at the backstreets of Moscow.
Bear meat.....mmmmmmm!!!....yummy Yabba-dabba-dooooo!!!

WoW a lot of good details!!

Here's some more stereotypes given to me by Russians or Ukranians,
so you can't complain

• Russians have the best computer hackers in the world
  
• Russians have a much better fashion sense
  
• Russian females are much more athletic/in shape then their Western counterparts
  (apparently because they have a higher focus on gymnastics in high school)

Another stereotype that I noticed personally, was that Russian men have a better sense of chivalry. e.g. they never let the lady pay for anything etc. In the West, the whole feminist movement kinda destroyed chivalry, which (I think) has caused a lot of problems in society.

As for Russian movies, any recommendations? I love foriegn flicks, actually. But I haven't seen too many Russian movies. The only Russian movie I remember seeing is Mongol, and that (obviously) didn't tell me much about Russia (except for the fact that they can make awesome movies about Mongols!!)

As for for the culture question, fair enough. I won't ask for a total description. I just wanted to know what aspects changed specifically. I am one of those who think nations don't change much with time. But there can be sudden superficial shifts, and I am sure the revolution and the fall of the wall had impacts. But I guess that is still too broad. I guess I'll just visit Russia sometime in the future and find out for myself

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

Russians have a much better fashion sense

Are you sure you understood them right? Some europeans told me that russian fashion is to wear black.
Maybe you speak about russian women only, but they don't feel the fashion sence, they just "dress like whore". Seriously, one german guy told me that he was pretty much surprised when he have seen ordinary russian women. He thought the street is full of prostitutes.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

Another stereotype that I noticed personally, was that Russian men have a better sense of chivalry. e.g. they never let the lady pay for anything etc. In the West, the whole feminist movement kinda destroyed chivalry, which (I think) has caused a lot of problems in society.

I've heard vice versa. Russian women who married western men say western ones are kind, gentle, thoughtful while russians are rude, drunk and lazy. Anyway, russian women appreciate men who earn money for them more than men who kiss their hands.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

As for Russian movies, any recommendations?

Try 9th company, it's not the worst post-USSR movie. Almost all good movies were pruduced in USSR era, now there are only few with raiting "not bad".

Originally Posted by Hanna

Hiding from the bears and wolves that roam the streets of central Moscow...

Originally Posted by Eugene-p

Correction: Hunting the bears and volves hiding from them at the backstreets of Moscow.

No. No. No. We are just playing tag.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

WoW a lot of good details!!

Another stereotype that I noticed personally, was that Russian men have a better sense of chivalry. e.g. they never let the lady pay for anything etc. In the West, the whole feminist movement kinda destroyed chivalry, which (I think) has caused a lot of problems in society.

Not much of chivalry, but the absence of feminists makes it appear so.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

As for Russian movies, any recommendations?

You can browse through this subforum and this thread in particular.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

As for for the culture question, fair enough. I won't ask for a total description. I just wanted to know what aspects changed specifically. I am one of those who think nations don't change much with time. But there can be sudden superficial shifts, and I am sure the revolution and the fall of the wall had impacts. But I guess that is still too broad. I guess I'll just visit Russia sometime in the future and find out for myself

It IS a way to get to know the culture of a country. You can find the culture and history subforum interesting.

Originally Posted by Siberian.Bear

Are you sure you understood them right? Some europeans told me that russian fashion is to wear black.
Maybe you speak about russian women only, but they don't feel the fashion sence, they just "dress like whore".

Now that's where I should disagree. I seldom see women who are dressed like a whore on the streets and I live in the biggest Russian city. That's a misconception that comes from some not very clever jokes, etc. I can admit that Russian women try to appear feminine and seductive when they attend a party or in some other social entertainment, but you won't see them dressed like this at work. Compared to women I met in Europe, Russian women tend to follow fashion trends while Europeans tend to ignore that and wear things they feel comfortable in. As for these 'dress like whore' notions, then yes, if you visit a night club you'll hardly see modest clothes on the girls there, but that's only natural, isn't it?

Originally Posted by Siberian.Bear

Seriously, one german guy told me that he was pretty much surprised when he have seen ordinary russian women. He thought the street is full of prostitutes.

I've seen German prostitutes in Hamburg. Lord, after this I'll find a gorilla female attractive! No wonder that your German guy was surprised. As I said, Europeans simply ignore fashion and dress in whatever comes handy. The resulting appearance is a bit disappointing for men, but women there doesn't care. Russian women do care, that's the difference. Yes, now and then you can find an extreme example of bad taste in clothes, but this is common everywhere else as well.

Originally Posted by Siberian.Bear

Russian women who married western men say western ones are kind, gentle, thoughtful while russians are rude, drunk and lazy. Anyway, russian women appreciate men who earn money for them more than men who kiss their hands.

Of course those, who'd made to the West would say so, it's their own tragic story, after all. I personally know two women though who said exactly the opposite after they'd divorced their foreign husbands and returned to Russia. Where does it lead us? Each case is unique and you can't really deduce a general rule from such stories.

Originally Posted by Curious Cat

As for Russian movies, any recommendations?

Anything with Maria Mironova (or her father), Alyona Babenko, or Nikita Mikhalkov.
The younger Nikolay Eremenko was very good, too.

but they don't feel the fashion sence, they just "dress like whore".

Are you 60+ years old?
There's a huge difference between dressing like a whore and dressing feminine and seductive. A girl dressed like a whore is a sad sight, and if a girl knows how to dress seductive and feminine, you'll have a treat for your eyes. And no, whores dressed like whores are not eye candy.

Originally Posted by Vincent Tailors

Are you 60+ years old?
There's a huge difference between dressing like a whore and dressing feminine and seductive.

First of all it's not so great difference bacause the final point is attractiveness.
I've seen only few ladies who dressed feminine and seductive, all others dressed like whores. In my opinion. I'm talking about usual ladies in the streets.

Россия страна контрастов. Здесь есть все. Все зависит от того на что обращать внимание. На негатив или позитив.
Если интересует насилие, нацизм, убийцы и тому подобное , то да есть и такое.
Но думаю это не от страны зависит, это есть везде.

Кого интересуют реальные новости одного из городов России смотрите сайт e1.ru , лента.ру и другие.

На счет фильмов: Брат, Брат 2 , Бумер, Бумер фильм второй. Еще вспомню, напишу. Кому нужны ссылки, пишите на маил .

Russia is a country of contrasts. There is everything here. It all depends on what to look for. On the negative or positive.
If you are interested in violence, Nazism, murderers and the like, then yes there is.
But I think it does not depend on the country, it is everywhere.

Those interested in real news of one of Russian cities please visit Екатеринбург Он-Лайн , Lenta.ru: Главное: and others.

At the expense of movies: Brother, Brother 2, Boomer, Boomer movie second. Still remember, I'll write. Who needs a link, write to the mail.

> Downloading 9 Rota - hopefully I'll find subtitles for it on subtitles.org

I heard that USSR had better movies too. The view is that the censorship caused only the really good movies to be released. This applies to all art and is true for Western countries as well. The USSR had better art displayed in its museums because there were stricter controls. Whenever you just allow total freedom of expression, most of the expression is just going to be banal.

> I can't speak about how Russian girls in Russia, but they don't dress slutty in Canada. A big group of Russians used to hang out at the same afterhours clubs as my friends in Toronto and even there they didn't dress like "whores." They had really good manners and a way about them too. And yea, emphasis on "feminine," which I respect. Over all, Fun Times : )

> Im still surprised there is any nazi representation in Russia at all, after WWII. I would think ordinary Russians would get really mad at seeing nazi symbols after what the nazis did to their country.

> I'll check out Maria Mironova and see what's up. Thanks!

Originally Posted by MacLaud343

Если интересует насилие, нацизм, убийцы и тому подобное , то да есть и такое.
...
На счет фильмов: Брат, Брат 2 , Бумер, Бумер фильм второй. Еще вспомню, напишу. Кому нужны ссылки, пишите на маил .
.

У тебя с головой всё в порядке? Постить такое в теме "So what are you Russians really like?? ". Чернуха на тему " насилие и беспредел 90х", как наиболее выдающиеся и заслуживающие упоминания русские фильмы. А потом удивляемся, откуда у иностранцев берутся стереотипы о нас и валим всё на западную пропаганду.
Один кроме девятой роты больше не нашёл чего порекомендовать, другой ещё чего похлеще.

Originally Posted by Basil77

У тебя с головой всё в порядке? Постить такое в теме "So what are you Russians really like?? ". Чернуха на тему " насилие и беспредел 90х", как наиболее выдающиеся и заслуживающие упоминания русские фильмы. А потом удивляемся откуда у иностранцев берутся стереотипы о нас и валим всё на западную пропаганду.
Один кроме девятой роты больше не нашёл чего порекомендовать, другой ещё чего похлеще.

Ну... Брат то и может быть, но я думаю это о5 же зависит от того что хочешь увидеть. Смысл то не в чернухе и 90х ) Да и тот же самый Бумер, фильм второй - уже совсем другая песнь.
Хороших фильмов, снятых в России я почти не знаю, пришли в голову только эти 4 картины.
А смотреть подобие фильмов Михалкова, ну это уже совсем за границей дозволенного.

I will take part in the discussion.
To understand Russia, namely the "Russian soul", in my opinion, easier than it seems, is enough to look beyond Moscow and other large cities that are close to Europe.
See what life in the province
In metropolitan cities, "time flies". Outside people live a more measured life, even if "equal to the West", but to a much lesser extent.
"Калина красная","Облако-рай","Афоня", "Слезы капали"- these movies, I recommend a look.
And never mind that the film was 20-40 years ago. Character and destiny are not much different from today.

My favourite Russian movie is "With Love, Lilya" Amazon.com: With Love, Lilya / S Lubovyu, Lilya: Movies & TV
It can tell you how ordinary people in Russian province live, think, feel, and act, really.

"9th Company" recommended above is a piece of crap pathetically mocking American Vietnam War movies.