Quote Originally Posted by Johanna
Please select one option:

a) I am European
b) I am Asian
c) I consider myself to be both Asian and European (Eurasian)
d) I do not consider myself to be either of the above.
e) Decline to respond.
I'd choose either a) or c). I do love Asian cultures -- was re-watching my favourite Indian film just yesterday *nuts about Shahrukh Khan* But if I were to choose where to live -- in Iran or, say, France, I'd definitely choose France. I'm sorry but I think this stuff about Russians being "Asian" is bunk, for the most part. We are Europeoids in terms of race. We don't have slanted eyes. Russian character, or soul, if you will, is different from the European one due to the severity of climate and centuries of suffering. Suffering elevates your soul, as Buddha taught, that's why Russians and Western people make an ado about "mysterious Russian Soul" and that's why Russians may be hard to understand.

I used to think I was half English, half Russian, actually, because I love English lit and when you immerse into the language and culture of another country, you unwittingly assume some of its traits. Russia always aspired to be more European -- from Peter I to the Russian aristocrats who spoke French among themselves and knew it better than their native language. I don't presume to say that the European culture is *better* than the Asian ones. I think we are special, just like any other culture and we would do better to adopt and absorb all the good traits of different cultures. I def wouldn't want Russia to become completely like the US, say. I'm sorry but the extreme competitiveness and chase after money and wealth aren't very appealing as a national identity but some ideas are worth borrowing, that's for sure.