Sex, Abramovich, and Money - Interviews with Russian people in Moscow - February 2004

Alexey, 20. Manager in a legal firm.
Question: "What could I do to look like a native Russian girl?" A: Russian girls are dressed not like foreign ones. Just change your clothes to look like Russian woman. Question: "Is there a lot of racism in Russia? Do any black people live there?" A: Racism - not much of it in Russia. Russia is becoming more and more open to the world and other cultures. Once I have been at the party in a Moscow club – my 2 friends and I were the only white people there, all the rest were black. Question: “What is the most popular food that you eat?" A: Spaghetti, sandwiches. Question: "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?" A: Two reasons. Firstly, Russian women think that they know Russian men, so they are looking for the new experience. Secondly, money. Question: What do you think about the influence of the English language in the Russian, especially with the introduction of the occidental music and the internet? A: Speaking about world of business, most of the terms are from English language and it is hard to find synonims in Russian. Question: "Are Russians really ruthless, cynical and prone to tragedy?" A: Life is hard for many people in Russia so they are ruthless and cynical. Those who are ok influenced by the “syndrome of hard life in Russia” and imagine problems for themselves. Question: "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." A: Average salary in Russia is 70$. Rent – 500$. I will buy house when I’m 30, somewhere in Moscow suburbs. Question: "What are the good and bad things about Russia?" A: Good – we are hospitable and optimistic nation. Bad – we are lazy, the roads are bad and many people addicted to alcohol. However there is a positive tendency – alcohol getting less popular. Question: “Do you think that the US president is doing the right thing." A: He is doing right things. He wants his country to be powerful. Question: "Would foreigners living in Russia ever be accepted as real Russians?" A: Yes, they will be accepted, but they have to live in Russia for many years. Question: "What can you say about your president Putin?" A: He is still a big question mark. I think Russia needs powerful government and he is acting in this direction. But still there is a minus. Most of the decisions are made somewhere in a hidden place and an ordinary person can see the results only. This makes many people nervous. Question: "How good is sex with Russian women?" A: 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. Question: "What is Russia's future? What will Russian life be like in twenty years?" A: We will be more European but with our own specifics. Question: "If USA opens immigration to Russia would you like to come to US? If yes, why?" A: I don’t plan to leave Russia. If there are some business matters, I can go abroad for several years.
Katerina, 23. working in an advertising agency.
Question: "What could I do to look like a native Russian girl?" A: Nothing particular, you just need to live in Russia for 10 years. Question: "Is there a lot of racism in Russia? Do any black people live there?" A: Lot of racism. Few black people live here. Question: “What is the most popular food that you eat?" A: Japanese food. Question: "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?" A: Money. Question: What do you think about the influence of the English language in the Russian, especially with the introduction of the occidental music and the internet? A: It’s not good. We have our own language we should use it. Question: "Are Russians really ruthless, cynical and prone to tragedy?" A: Russians are cynical. Question: "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. " A: Average salary in Moscow – 400$, in Russia – 100$, rent is about 300$. I will have my own house in 15-20 years. Question: "What are the good and bad things about Russia?" A: Bad – economy is unstable. Good – Russians are kind and open, we have nice monuments and much natural resources. The best thing about Russia - Roman Abramovich [WTR - the guy who bought Chelsea soccer club in England last year]. Question: “Do you think that the US president is doing the right thing." A: He is doing right things. He is promoting a healthy way of life. It is good for America. Question: "Would foreigners living in Russia ever be accepted as real Russians?" A: It is possible. My English language teacher in school is from UK. She has been living here for 40 years already, she’s like Russian person now. Question: "What can you say about your president Putin?" A: He doesn’t like Khodorkovsky. He likes mountain skiing. Question: "How good is sex with Russian women?" A: I haven’t tried yet. Question: "What is Russia's future? What will Russian life be like in twenty years?" A: Don’t know. Question: "If USA opens immigration to Russia would you like to come to US? If yes, why?" A: Yes, I’d like to immigrate. I guess, the government in USA cares about ordinary people.
Maya 24, working in a retail bank, credits department.
Question: "What could I do to look like a native Russian girl?" A: Change your hairstyle. Question: "Is there a lot of racism in Russia? Do any black people live there?" A: Lot of racism, but there are some black Russians also. Question: “What is the most popular food that you eat?" A: Pizza. Question: "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?" A: More money. Question: What do you think about the influence of the English language in the Russian, especially with the introduction of the occidental music and the internet? A: Russian language is nice and it is bad when people don’t use it. But in everyday life it’s more convenient to use some English words. Question: "Are Russians really ruthless, cynical and prone to tragedy?" A: No, we are not like that. Question: "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. " A: Average salary – 100$, rent – 300$. I will be able to by house in 10 years, I will get credit for it in the bank. Question: "What are the good and bad things about Russia?" A: Good –we are family oriented and always support relatives. Bad – government doesn’t support science. Question: “Do you think that the US president is doing the right thing." A: I think he is wrong. He better think about real problems of Americans. Question: "Would foreigners living in Russia ever be accepted as real Russians?" A: Yes it is possible. Question: "What can you say about your president Putin?" A: He is a nice guy. Question: "How good is sex with Russian women?" A: Never did it, so can’t tell you anything. Question: "What is Russia's future? What will Russian life be like in twenty years?" A: We will be like Poland. Question: "If USA opens immigration to Russia would you like to come to US? If yes, why?" A: No, I’d not immigrate. I’d like to go there on vacations.

Some previous comments to the article – share your comments below...

Comment (27/02/04): "I have met a Russian lady through a dating agency. We have an age difference of ten years, she always is sweet and supportive of me even though she knows I am not a Rich American. I plan to visit her this July, 2004. Her name is Irina and she really makes me feel good especially talking on the phone. I know life is tough but she is willing to come to the USA if we both feel we are right for one another. Is there anything I should watch for? I also have a very active sex life, ofcourse I would only devote it to my lady, how does she feel about sex? From what I read it seems the male must initiate everything, is this true? I also heard that many russian women don't kiss their husbands during love making. I would appreciate any help to answer my questions..Bill"

  
Comment (20/02/04): "Bush a liar, cheat and thug???
He may be a little bit of a wimp. But the rest--hey, he is better than Kerry could ever hope to be right now. (unless Kerry changes-big time.)"


Comments (18/02/04): "I wonder how long it will take Russia and Russians to 'wake up and smell the coffee' as it were in terms of accepting other people and other cultures. I get told we all bleed the same colour of blood, black or white, brown or pale, we are all the same people but of course from different ancestral source. I have been to Moscow several times from UK (Black British) and its worrying the amount of heads and eyeballs that rolls on every occassion. I am sometimes inclined to believe that these 'glare' are very suspicious. We dont have such surprising look here in UK as I believe London is getting flooded with Moscowvites, I think I'd prefer that because that allows some of us who have so much adoration for Moscow enjoy Moscow away from Moscow.
I also do admire the ladies above who have candidly answered the racism question with a high degree of sensitivity, but the reality is that not all Russians share these views.
I do wonder how long it will take Moscow to get on board the boat of civilisation, as we all know, missing the boat is not an option.
This site is a very enlightened and educative site, it also has a very high degree of political correctness about it, which is highly great, I never stop recommending this site to my colleagues at work who are always coming to Moscow on business trips. Despite the country's misgivings but hey guys! you all rattle our cages here in UK. Just keep doing what you do best - spread the word about Moscow but make sure you correct the racial attitude. Thanks always. Sleeky, Buckingham Palace, London"


Comments (16/02/04): "I think Russian people know that terrorists are a grave problem throughout the world. Mr. Bush, like Mr. Putin has taken a proactive stand to fight and stop terrorists. Mr. Putin has said: "We do not negociate with terrorists, we destroy them" Mr. Bush uses similar language. A safe and secure country is most important. Mr. Bush is honest, fair man who makes difficult decisions based upon best information available.
Russia has instituted a good flat income tax system. A system which will be pro business, help investment activity and will not harm progress.
I think American should follow Russia's lead and lower income taxes even more. Tax wealthy Americans with consumtion taxes, not income taxes. "


Comment (12/02/04): "Enough about Russian women, what about Russian men? May I ask the same silly questions about them, such as "what do they look like. Do they all have tattoos, high-cheekbones and hairy chests?", "What is sex like with them?","What can a hopelessly bland western male do to be more "russian?", and lastly, when are you guys at W-T-R going to post your long ago promised feature about Russian men?"
Answer: Ok, from now on, the questions will be asked, so that they can be answered both for men and women. As for the feature about Russian men — we're working on it... :-)


Comment (11/02/04): "You are askin many un professional question to Russian People like: The USA President, rescism marriage and sex. At first, the USA has bring prostitution and drugs to destroy culture Countrys like Russia, Nort America only want's to impose his culture od "DEAT" and exportin products of degenerated society. Whites of america are the mos big rascist of the world,
people have to come to live here to see and understand the reality not us the way they heard."


 Comment (11/02/04): "I can't believe the number of Russians who think "resident select" Bush is doing the right thing. That man and his cabal are destroying all that is good in my country. He is a liar, a cheat, thug, and coward, and a class "A" hypocrite. He is dismantling our environmental, labor, and consumer safety laws and has declared political dissent an act of treason. He is bankrupting our nation with his endless tax-breaks for the wealthy while running up a massive deficit with his unjustified war. Whatever Mr. Putin's flaws, and he does have them, he nontheless does seem to care about the wellbeing of the common Russian, and is willing to kick a little oligarchic butt to help keep things more balanced.
I wish I had such a president....well, to a point."
 

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