Russian People Interviews

Instead of writing about Russian people (that is, ourselves) and being inevitably subjective, we decided to let them talk and leave the freedom to be judgemental for our readers. To make it more interesting, our correspondents ask the questions, which you send through our Talk Lounge Russia forum.

Also, see Russian People Interviews made in 2003/2004.
 

Added 1 November, 2006: People from Moscow
Nikita: "I prefer to spend my sparetime watching movies, listening to music, learning laguages..." read more...		Marina & Nikolay: "Russia will be the great power. I think alongside China, we will be the strongest nation." read more...		Vyacheslav: "Racism is likely to be the result of a small portion of our population and it does not reflect the mind of millions of other Russians. " read more...

Added 4 October, 2006: People from Volgograd
Alena:: "I think the least European character trait of Russian is that we live by one day not being lost in thought about tomorrow’s day..." read more...		Vadim: "Racism won’t be in Russia. There are artificial attempts to spread it. Black people live, I saw." read more...		Ekaterina: "I want all the people to be honest and happy not thinking that others owe them anything!" read more...

Added 18 May, 2006: People from Kazan
Ksenya:: "I think Russia’s purely Asian. It’s a wild, crazy, Asian country: an eye for an eye and things like that. I’m not sure it’s European at all really." read more...		Fedor: "I've been in a lot of places, but there are still a lot more I want to see." read more...		Svetlana: "I like small European countries because I think the atmosphere there is rather romantic." read more...

Added 2 December, 2005: People from Kazan
Alexander:: "In summer me and my friends go fishing. Recently I caught a big pike, it was great!”" read more...		Milya: "Russian women respect kind attitude to them, intellect and money, of course" read more...		Regina: "Russians have Intelligence, hospitality and kindness, but do not have the European restraint and accuracy." read more...

Added 22 July, 2005: People from Vladimir
Mark:: " I’d like to change principles of selecting people who occupy powerful and leading positions. They just take people from the middle of nowhere and raise them from dirt without any reason." read more...		Oksana: "Socialism? No, God keep me away from it. Bad capitalism is much better that good socialism!" read more...		Vladimir: "All our natural instincts are European. Everything that we absorbed while going through history is Asian. " read more...

Added 7 November, 2004: Women from Vladimir & Ivanovo
Helena:: "Be honest. Honest and generous. Russian women value generosity above all things." read more...		Elena: "You reside in your own separate houses. We live in blocks of flats. As a result of that, you are close to yourself, to your own small world and we are surrounded by community people..." read more...		Dina: "We do everything sincerely. I mean we say what we think, we are not afraid to reveal what is in our souls. I like it. But I hate the lack of responsibility and order in Russian life-style..." read more...

Added 31 October, 2004: People from Vladimir
Paul:: "Now politics in Russia is OK. We need this strong hand to hold us. We need to be under some political pressure to function effectively...." read more...		Irina: "The way you dress in Russia is determined by your budget. If you have money you demonstrate it in your clothing." read more...		Vladimir: "I believe that some people have a gift of clairvoyance. Mikhail [Khodorkovsky] is just one of them..." read more...

Added 28 April, 2004: People from Moscow
Denis:: "Yes, legalize marijuana, that's what needs to be done..." read more...		Lyudmila: "Socialism is not that bad. I liked that during the socialism the moral was higher, younger generation had a clearer vision, goals..." read more...		Nadezhda: "I worked a lot, for 34 years as a chief economist in kolkhoz (agriculture), and now I have nothing. The government doesn't even pay me pension..." read more...

Added 15 March, 2004: People from Moscow
Ilya:: "I've seen some Russians who went to USA for a few months, and when they came back you couldn't recognize them..." read more...		Sitora: "Men can wait longer, for women it's important. The preparation period before sex takes a lot of time." read more...		Slava: "My friend said Americans are like children, they are very innocent, don't have any problems in their life." read more...

Added 10 February, 2004: In Cafemania Cafe (Moscow)
Alexey:: "Many Russian girls have complexes in sex. If you want to get much you have to be with a woman for a long time and accept the dominant position in sex life." read more...		Katerina: "Russians are kind and open, we have nice monuments and much natural resources. The best thing about Russia - Roman Abramovich" read more...		Maya: "Average salary – 100$, rent – 300$. I will be able to by house in 10 years, I will get credit for it in the bank." read more...

Your Question to Russians:
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15 Most Popular Questions:

Question: "What do Russians think about Americans and other foreigners?"

Question: "What is Russia's future? What will Russian life be like in twenty years?"

Question: "It has been said that Russia is both European and not. What is the most European aspect of the Russian mind,and what is the least?"

Question: "What can a man do to be liked by a Russian woman? What do Russian women respect and like the most?"

Question: "What can a woman do to be liked by a Russian man? What do Russian men respect and like the most?"

Question: "Is there a lot of racism in Russia? Do any black people live there?"

Question: "Why are so many Russian women looking to marry a man from the west. Is this because of more money and a better life or is it that russian men do not treat russian women well?"

Question: "Do you like to travel and see new places and cultures, and which country would you most like to visit if you could travel anywhere and why."

Question: "What is your hobby?"

Question: "What do you think about Putin?"

Question: "Why do Russians often look very closed and sad and don't even smile in their passport's picture?"

Question: "In spite of having all the elements of the periodic table in its territory and millions of highly intelligent people, Russia has never managed well enough. Why?"

Question: "If you could change one thing to make life better where you live at what would it be?"

Question: "What do you think of the Russian group TATU and its success?"

Question: "Can a foreigner be ever accepted as a Russian? What would he/she need to do for it to happen?



All Questions Asked by Way to Russia Visitors:


Question #1 (16/7/3): "In general I am interested what Russians think of America and its well, how to say, world-dominating politics. Or do they have enough problems in Russia itself, not to worry too much about that? Is it in other words far away from them?"

Question #2 (1/8/03): "Do you think life in Russia is very weird?"

Question #3 (1/8/03): "How Russian newscasters report news to their viewers, including women?"

Question #4 (5/9/03): "Are Russians okay with people from Finland and Sweden now? Long ago we had many wars..."

Quesiton #5 (5/9/03): "What are prices and taxes like in Russia?"

Question #6 (7/9/03): "I was curious if there was a way to a Russian's heart. I have met this beautiful Russian woman while she is here in the US studying in college. I am a US Citizien and there is very little language problem between us. I just wanted to know if there were some paticulars in which they were very fond of, attracted to, interested in ?"

Question #7 (11/9/03): "What do you do for fun?"

Question #8 (15/09/03): "What are the people in Russia like? What I mean is that what do they eat and how they look at Russia? Another thing is how do they treat each other?"

Question #9 (16/09/03): "What the russia people think about the russian cars, in comparation with japanese cars, or american cars"

Question #10 (10/08/03): "Why Russians can face life only through drinking vodka and hiding behind the mask of indifference?"

Question (15/09/03): "What could I do to look like a native russian girl?"

Question (22/09/03): "Is there a lot of racism in Russia? Do any black people live there?"

Question (24/09/03): "what is the most popular food that you eat?"

Question (30/09/03): "Why are so many russian woman looking to marry a man from the west. Is this because of more money and a better life or is it that russian men do not treat russian women well?"

Question (06/10/03): What do you think about the influence of the english lenguaje in the russian, especialy with the introdution of the occidental music and the internet?

Question (01/10/03): "Are Russians really ruthless, cynical and prone to tragedy?"

Question (3/11/03): "What does the average person earn. How much does an apartment cost to rent. Do you think you will be able to own a home. "

Question (4/11/03): "What are the good and bad things about Russia?"

Question (12/11/03): "Do you think that the US president is doing the right thing."

Question (14/11/03): "Would foreigners living in Russia ever be accepted as real Russians?"

Question (15/11/03): "What can you say about your president Putin?"

Question (17/11/03): "How good is sex with russian women?"

Question (18/11/03): "What is Russia's future? What will Russian life be like in twenty years?"

Question (21/11/03 - updated 31/01/04): "If USA opens immigration to Russia would you like to come to US? If yes, why? What about spending holidays there?"

Question (6/12/03): If each of russian has a chance to make a change in their government policy, what are they?

Question (11/12/03): "ARE ALL RUSSIAN MEN THE KIND OF MEN THAT THINK THAT WOMENS ARE STUPID AND NEED TO OBEY WHAT THEY SAY AND NOTHING ELSE."

Question (12/12/03): "Are you disgusted that there are some people in Russia such as Mikhail Khodorkovsky (currently in jail) that have been able to become billionaires in less then 10 years (since the demise of the CCCP) while the average Russian worker only earns about 100 USD per month? Especially since these people have made their money by "acquiring" formerly state owned (CCCP) industries."

Question (22/12/03): "What clothes are in style in Russia? Are Russian styles differnt from american styles?"

Question (23/12/03): "now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of each sistem would you like to return to the socialist regime?"

Question (30/12/03) "What do Russian men do special for a girl at any point in time to show they like a girl?

Question (14/01/04): "How do you feel about foreigners who come through Russia? Tourists or Long-term?

Question (14/01/04): "It has been said that Russia is both European and not. What is the most European aspect of the Russian mind,and what is the least?"

Question (13/01/04): "what is Russian life like? Is it cold, busy like new york etc."

Question (1/02/04): "Do you like to travel and see new places and cultures, and which country would you most like to visit if you could travel anywhere."

Question (1/02/04): "What is your hobby?"

Question (1/02/04): "What is the one thing that you have done so far in your life that you are most proud of?"

Question (5/2/04): "Do you drink a lot of vodka?"

Question (14/02/04): "Do Russian men have large penises?"

Question (24/02/04): "Do Russian people see anything in common, or any similarities with the American people? For example, family values, films, economics, pride in country, mannerisms, anything?"

Question (24/02/04): "I'm in love with a russian guy what do you think russian men can like in a foreighn woman does it depend on nationality and if so what do they prefer"

Question (18/02/04): "Would you ever consider emigrating or moving to UK or any other country? If so what would be your reasons."

Question (3/03/04): "I was an orphan and by somehow I was adopted by Americans when I was young. I was forced to not speak Russian, they changed my name, etc. I love Russia alot still and am trying to re-learn the language. Would you consider me Russian still? Do you think peopole would treat me like a Russian?"

Question (19/03/04): "Do women engage in casaul sex or are they more traditional and wait for some type of commitment or marriage?"

Question (30/04/04): "Why Russians never smile in their passport's picture"

Question (19/5/04): "In spite of having all the elements of the periodic table in its territory and millions of highly intelligent people, Russia has never managed well enough. Why?"

Question (13/06/04): "Is exercising a part of your weekly routine in Russia? If so, do you visit a health club or do you exercise on your own?"

Question (29/06/04): "What is the current outlook on homosexuality in Russia? What did Russia think of .t.A.T.u?"

Question (9/08/04): " Where do you think Russia will be in 20 years?"

Question (23/08/04): "If you could change one thing to make life better where you live at what would it be?"

Question (27/08/04): "Do modern day Russians feel any hostility towards Germans or Americans as a result of WWII and the Cold War, respectively, or has the more internatinal attitude in most of Europe carried over to Russia?"

Question (31/08/04): "How do russians feel about interracial dating? I am currently dating a russian man who says he loves me but have never met his parents."

Question (3/09/04): "My question is for a woman. (This will be difficult to answer unless you personally know some American men, but) Do you think that Russian women might not feel as secure married to an American man as to a Russian man because Russian men are generally more domineering? "

Question (04/09/04): "As a russian resident how much of your life is controlled by politicians and what changes, if any, would you like to see"