Thread: Very short sentances into Russian Transliteration

The are two problems to this
1) The russians do not differ that much from other europeans so I believe no one would be able to imidietly think of something like this as you could do for the asian people. Japaniese for example.
2) Being russian I can not see those differences very well. We are kind of used to the way we are and simply don't notice this things.

You could give us a subject or a situation from your book on which you need a consult.

Right now there is one thing that comes to my mind. But this is more of a question actually. It just keeps bothering me for some time. Handshakes.
I saw this a lot of times in the american movies. When a man and a woman shake hands and the man is the one initiating the handshake.
I find this rude. Though it is absolutely natural for a woman to initiate a handshake. So I am interested in an american point of view.

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

Right now there is one thing that comes to my mind. But this is more of a question actually. It just keeps bothering me for some time. Handshakes.

Yeah, about handshakes... I was told on a few occasions, that Russians shake hands a lot more than people in other (Englishspeaking?) countries. For example it's VERY common among Russian/Ukrainian/etc. men to shake hands when they meet and then to shake hands when they say their goodbyes. If there are more than two of them it turns into the scene you can see at the beginning of the soccer match .

So.. does it seem strange to a foreigner?

I was told on a few occasions, that Russians shake hands a lot more than people in other (Englishspeaking?) countries.

Well I always do so with my male friends and co-workers.

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

Well I always do so with my male friends and co-workers.

Well that's what I am talking about (assuming that you are from Russia or nearby ares). ))))

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

Well I always do so with my male friends and co-workers.

Well that's what I am talking about (assuming that you are from Russia or nearby ares). ))))

Hi, sorry I could not respond sooner to the handshake questions. I actually had to do 'mom' stuff.

Now we are way off the original topic and can start a new thread if you care to....

I have lived in a number of places in the U.S. (Washington DC area, Long Island New York , Los Angeles (LA), Chicago and in Florida) all for many years at a time, so I think I have a good understanding of the differences of each area.

If you are in say, NY and there are a number of immigrants there from Italy or other countries with similar culture, you see more of the handshakes along with a kiss on both cheeks. This was very new to me and took me a while to get use to seeing men do this and to have men do this to me! My girls still freak out every time we go back to visit. I have never seen this anywhere else in my US travels.

In Washington DC area it is all about power. You need to have a very firm handshake. Not so hard that you break bones, but hard enough that you let the other person know that you are to be taken seriously. Also, you better wipe your hand first, because you can't let them know that you are nervous. Now with my friends and/or co-workers, we never shake hands. Most of us are huggers. Now I know a number of people who consider Maryland, the "South" and maybe that is why we hug and not shake hands. I do know that we say "Ya'll" instead of "you all" so maybe that us why they think that.

LA area, no handshakes. It's hugs and air kisses or pats on backs. 'How are you doing sort of thing.'

Now, as for the man initiating the handshake, I think that it's not so much a rude thing here as it is a gentleman sort of thing. The man is 'offering' his hand to the lady. A woman does not want to be seen as overly aggressive or to upfront. Please any ladies on this board, don't get upset with me, I know it is old fashion. It is a fine line that women have to walk in the business world. Do they make the first move to offer their hand or do they wait?

Now, in my book, I do have a section where the main male charater, Dmitri, and the main girl charater, Sarafina, have just met and Sarafina is actually thinking almost the exact thing... Does she start up the conversation or does she wait for him to start the conversation? From the description in the book, you as the reader know that Dmitri is very well off financially and he is older than her (not by much). So in her mind she has that to consider. Is it proper etiquette for her to wait to be spoken to? What would a young man in this situation do? Now, here is my big problem, I have not decided if Dmitri was actually born in Russia or raised in the US by Russian born parents. I know that would most likely make a big difference. How proper are young Russian men who are raised in Russia towards women??? And how much would the area of Russia you are raised differ in your upbringing regarding this?

Please understand I not asking to be rude in anyway, I am asking because I have no knowledge and would like to understand as it would help me to make the decision about where "my" Dmitri would come from.

Originally Posted by alexB

Не насмеши, а задобри, ублажи, уваж, сделай доброе дело - будь человеком!

A little context might help. Here are some examples of when we might say "humor me" in English.

“Let's go to the movies tonight. They're showing 'Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown.'”
“No way. You know I don't like American films.”
“Just humor me. It's a Spanish film. Besides, it has Antonio Banderas in it, and I know you love him.”

"Try a sip of my vanilla latte."
"Yuck! You know I don't like coffee drinks."
"Just humor me. With the vanilla syrup in it, it almost tastes like ice cream. You'll love it!"

What would a Russian say in that context? Options: задобри, ублажи, уваж, сделай доброе дело, будь человеком!

My guess would be the thing that fits best is «Ублажи меня» or in transliteration “Ublazhi menya.”

Originally Posted by John_Douglas

There's no equivalent Russian phrase for "humour me" - someone who was fluent in both languages would probably say it in English instead of trying to translate it.

Very useful expression, thanks I believe it sounds more English. I have put it down into my note-book.
I think that in the following situation the translation might be like this:
"Like you are married and your wife wants you to put on a suit and tie that you can't stand and go someplace with her, she might say to you "just humor me and put it on"(Ну пожалуйста, ради меня! Nu pozhaluista, radi menia! or Ты не хотел бы это надеть, дорогой? Ty ne hotel by eto nadet', dorogoi?)) It is not meant in a bad way."
"Ty ne hotel by eto nadet', dorogoi?" is said with a slight irony And the husband might answer "I can't help putting that suit & tie on" with more than a slight irony.

Originally Posted by doninphxaz

Originally Posted by alexB

Не насмеши, а задобри, ублажи, уваж, сделай доброе дело - будь человеком!

A little context might help. Here are some examples of when we might say "humor me" in English.

“Let's go to the movies tonight. They're showing 'Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown.'”
“No way. You know I don't like American films.”
“Just humor me. It's a Spanish film. Besides, it has Antonio Banderas in it, and I know you love him.”

"Try a sip of my vanilla latte."
"Yuck! You know I don't like coffee drinks."
"Just humor me. With the vanilla syrup in it, it almost tastes like ice cream. You'll love it!"

What would a Russian say in that context? Options: задобри, ублажи, уваж, сделай доброе дело, будь человеком!

My guess would be the thing that fits best is «Ублажи меня» or in transliteration “Ublazhi menya.”

Хотя все перечисленные выше варианты отражают суть humor me, в приведённых примерах Русская жена просто сказала бы: "Ну пойдём, пупсик!" , "Ну выпей, что тебе стоит? Вот увидишь, тебе понравится."

Не насмеши, а задобри, ублажи, уважь, сделай доброе дело - будь человеком!

Есть ещё добрые люди на свете!

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

Right now there is one thing that comes to my mind. But this is more of a question actually. It just keeps bothering me for some time. Handshakes.

Yeah, about handshakes... I was told on a few occasions, that Russians shake hands a lot more than people in other (Englishspeaking?) countries. For example it's VERY common among Russian/Ukrainian/etc. men to shake hands when they meet and then to shake hands when they say their goodbyes. If there are more than two of them it turns into the scene you can see at the beginning of the soccer match .

So.. does it seem strange to a foreigner?

Да, у наших парней это святое. Обязательно к каждому из компании надо подойти и с чувством пожать руку, неважно, знаком ты с ним или нет.
Тоже, можно сказать, по теме:

Один раз, впрочем, наблюдал обиду у одной хорошенькой американочки. Она жаловалась, что русские мужики невежи - руку ей при встрече не подают. Подхожу, говорит, к компании русских с парнем, с парнем все за руку здороваются, а меня как будто нету. И так всегда. Что за фигня???

И меня такое положение дел не устраивает. То есть не то, что мне руку не подают ))), этого мне как раз не надо, а то, что многие парни вообще никак с девушками не здороваются, как если бы те пустым местом были. Ни словами, ни даже кивком, как будто и не видят их.

Originally Posted by Zaya

Один раз, впрочем, наблюдал обиду у одной хорошенькой американочки. Она жаловалась, что русские мужики невежи - руку ей при встрече не подают. Подхожу, говорит, к компании русских с парнем, с парнем все за руку здороваются, а меня как будто нету. И так всегда. Что за фигня???

И меня такое положение дел не устраивает. То есть не то, что мне руку не подают ))), этого мне как раз не надо, а то, что многие парни вообще никак с девушками не здороваются, как если бы те пустым местом были. Ни словами, ни даже кивком, как будто и не видят их.

Смущаются

Ну и как я уже говорил, мне при воспитании вдолбили в голову, первым руку девушке не тянуть... вотЪ...

Originally Posted by Waterlaz

Ну и как я уже говорил, мне при воспитании вдолбили в голову, первым руку девушке не тянуть...

Так меня воспитала и моя мама.