People from Russia - Interviews on the Streets - September 19, 2003

Vitya, student, Likes both Russia and Holland and can't decide where he would like to live...
Bio: Vitya is 19 years old. He is the 4th year student in the University in Moscow. He doesn’t work and lives with his mother. His brother is living in Berlin now. Vitya traveled to Germany and the Netherlands. He seems to be very impressed by Holland and dreams of living there. Quotes: Me: “What do you think about foreigners generally?” Vitya: “People are all the same round the world. Well, every nation differs, but generally people are the same. Foreigners are the same as we are, however, I guess, there are fewer scum in other countries.” Me: “Did you like to travel around Germany and Holland?” Vitya: “Germany is a nice country. But everything is closed at 8 p.m. – people are going to bed early. Holland is a great country. I could feel the freedom there. Only, it is a pity that price labels are not used in the Red Light District in Amsterdam – I didn’t know what I could afford.” Recommendations: Me: “What would you advise for a foreigner to do in Russia?” Vitya: ”He should live with us at least a month to get involved in our life…what else…any tourist should pay attention to Moscow subway – it is so beautiful. Also, I would like many tourists to come to Russia. I want them to find out that my country is great and rich.”
Maria, pensioner
Quotes: Maria told that she can say nothing bad about foreigners. However she dislikes that there are so many people now coming to Russia from ex-USSR to work illegally. “These immigrants from Middle Asia bring problems –viruses and crimes.” She said, that when she was young this problem didn’t appear. Generally, she likes tourists and would like to travel by herself but she has no money for that. Recommendations: In her opinion tourists should visit the museums, Tretyakov’s Art Gallery in Moscow is absolutely must. Maria: “Tourists should come to Moscow. Our city is clean now and people are friendly and I don’t think that Russians drink more vodka than others in fact, it’s a common myth.” Socialism and WW2: Answering to my questions about foreigners Maria started to talk about other matters on her own. Maria: “I like socialism. Within this system you shouldn’t look for the job. Food and goods were cheap. I was earning 130 roubles and that was enough. Now I don’t have enough money, pension is tiny. I was participating in WW2, 5 years of fighting and my pension now is so small... WW2 was like any other war. We were fighting. I think, Stalin saved the country, due to him there was discipline. Stalin’s discipline mobilized the people. He was a true leader. We restored the country quite fast after the war because of his leadership.”
Sergey, customs officer (a little extra), Doesn't like foreigners, because they always want too much
Quotes: I asked him about his attitude to the foreigners. Sergey: “ Sorry, I can’t say anything good about them. I can’t understand them. They always want more than they need. I don’t want them to come to Russia – they bring illnesses. Russia should be closed for the world and develop using its own resources. We should be powerful, then everybody will respect us. Nowadays western countries are making much money in Russia and don’t let our country to develop.”

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Comment (18/11/03): "Hi, I will be visiting Russia in the summer, and I cannot wait!"

Comment (24/11/03): "Hi there, my Russian girlfriend told me to look on this side. I'm from Holland and I really love to visit Russia once. But since I'm a student at the moment its difficult. I hope I can visit Moscow once in winter. I really want to see the sunshine through the white snow! Well, perhaps I ever can! I love reading the messages on this site, and thats why I send you a message back."

Comment (28/01/04): "I'd just like to say to Sergey that not all foreigners are bad and not all Americans are bad. I'll be traveling to Russia as a volunteer to work with orphans . I'll be paying my own way to get there and stay there and I'm looking forward to it. I think Americans have a bad reputation as being a nation of consumers but it really is mostly the younger people who are involved in toys and cars and don't get satisfied. America is made up 30% of people from all over the world , remember we have Russians here too!
Nannette"

Comment (11/1/04): "I have met a Russian woman online and she is a sweetheart. We are e-mailing with each other and that is great. But, it has made me realize how little I know about Russian life and culture. She is 28 years old and living with her mother and sisters in Saratov City. I am wondering what life is like for them.
question: What is life like for a family of women living in Saratov City Russia. The woman I am speaking with there says they cannot afford a phone right now and that cars are too expensive to have also. Yet, she seems to be happy with her life and although she dreams of driving and having more freedoms that money would allow, she is very cheerful. I want to know everything I can know about what her life is like. From what the average 28 year old's life is like to the cost of living in Saratov. I have not had much luck on other sites but this one seems perfect. I would love to know all that I could know as she is a wonderful person and I want to understand her situation better. If someone would be willing to tell me anything and everything they can think of about her probable life, that would be amazing for me. My ignorance of that culture is frustratin but it is a fact. I think we are all human and are all probably very similar but culture does define us in many ways. I would like to know what she may think about behavior, morality, sexuality, and, well, everything. :-) Thank you so much!"
 
Comment (19/09/04): "I don't understand why some russians think that america is so horrible, i'm russian but also live in america and there are so many things i accomplished here that would have held me back in Russia. I think that those who are close-minded shouldn't think like that, techincally every country thinks they are greater than others, but they all have something to offer!"
 
Comment (1/01/04): "It appears as though western "civilization" is taking advantage of Russia. Its not the west its the rich. This is the way it has always been. Russia is the mother of greatness. Beauty and richness unique in all the world. I could give my greatest wishes and hopes but that is not necessary. Russia has always been and will always be great."

Comment (16/02/04): "I think Russia still has a weird stigma after all the years of an ideology that does not work.However Russia has alot of potential to rival the united states, if a free market is continually persued.I also think that Russian should go to www.muuhda.com to witness a bit of american culture. "