| |
 |
|
Russian People Talk — Interviews on the Streets -
March 15, 2004
We asked Russian
people the questions our visitors sent to us... See what answers
we've got.
Have a question you would like to ask to Russian people?
Send us your suggestions below.
| Ilya:
19, art student |
 |
|
Question: "Would you ever consider emigrating,
and if yes, to which country?"
A: No, I wouldn't emigrate. I would go for a long
time to another country, but I wouldn't settle there. If
I went anywhere, it would be Australia, because of kangaroos
and green forests.
Question: "What should a foreign woman
do to be liked by a Russian man?"
A: Can't answer.
Question: “Do Russian people see anything
in common with American people?"
A: Nothing. Maybe with Europeans, yes, but not
with Americans.
Question: "Do you like Americans?"
A: No. They are the kind of people who are interested
in themselves only, who care only about their own well-being
and money. I also saw some Americans who were trying to
imitate Eastern spirituality, but it was all fake.
I've seen some Russians who went to USA for a few months,
and when they came back you couldn't recognize them: they
were
constantly showing off and were caring only about the style
of their clothes.
Question: "Is there anything
you have done so far in your life you feel proud about?"
A: My aim is to do something like that.
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?"
A: Yes, I would travel a lot if I had an opportunity.
I would go to Australia, Thailand, China, Japan. I wouldn't
go to western countries, only to France, because there
are such cathedrals that you've got to see at least once
in your life.
Question: "It is said that Russia is
both European and not. What is the most European aspect
of Russian mind, and what is the most Asian aspect?"
A: This is true, but it's hard to explain. We
have everything mixed.
Question: "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."
A: Every goverment system has people who don't
behave very well, they are a part of the system. There
are no ideal constructions. Unfortunately, our system is
made in such a way, that honest people have very little
money, and dishonest people can get a lot of money. But
they will pay for what they've done after their death.
Honest people should not envy them because of that.
Question: “If you had a chance to make
a change in Russia's government policy, what would
that be?"
A: Anything is created in such a way that it has
its positive and negative sides, pluses and minuses. The
harmony is based on combination of these polarities, so
if something is changed abruptly, without knowing the inner
mechanisms of the system, it may break. So, I wouldn't
make any changes directly, I would take time to see how
the system functions and see what consequences my actions
may have, only then I would make any changes.
Question: "What sex in Russia is like?"
A: I guess Russian men are very emotionally calm
about it. Women are different, so I can't say about them.
But men are distinctly different in a way.
Question: "Is there racism in Russia?"
A: Not long ago I witnessed some moral agression
expressed by a guy towards a person from Yakutia. So, I
think there is racism, yes.
Question: "Why so many Russian women want to marry foreign men
and leave their country?"
A: Those who want (I don't think there are many, though) might think
that foreigners are more intellectual and can provide better life. I think
that foreigners are not more intellectual than Russians, but surely they have
more money.
|
| |
|
| |
| Sitora,
21, student, works as a producer. |
 |
|
Question: "Would you ever consider emigrating, and if yes,
to which country?"
A: Yes, I would go to Italy. But I would be working in Russia, anyway.
Question: "What should a foreign woman do
to be liked by a Russian man?"
A: Originality, authenticity, unusual sense of humour.
Question: “Do Russian people see anything
in common with American people?"
A: Respect towards parents, a will towards early
independence (living alone, etc.).
Question: "Do you like Americans?"
A: People might not like them, because they think
Americans are cynics.
Question: "Is there anything you have done
so far in your life you feel proud about?"
A: I started to work.
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?"
A: I like to travel and I like the diversity of
cultures. I would to to Iceland.
Question: "It is said that Russia is both
European and not. What is the most European aspect of Russian
mind, and what is the most Asian aspect?"
A: European - aspiration for reforms and liberalism.
Asian - people like some kind of monarchy. Moscow is a western
city, though.
Question: "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."
A: No, I feel calm about this. There are people
like this in any country. If they have enough brain, then
let them earn money without breaking the law.
Question: “If you had a chance to make a
change in Russia's government policy, what would that be?"
A: I would increase the minimum salary.
Question: "What sex in Russia is like?"
A: It depends on the person. Men can wait longer,
for women it's important. The preparation period before sex
takes a lot of time.
Question: "Is there racism in Russia?"
A: Not on a large scale. Russians are interested
in people who do not look like them, but there's no racism,
I think.
Question: "Why so many Russian women want
to marry foreign men
and leave their country?"
A: To be able to live in a calm country and not
to be afraid for their children. |
| |
|
| |
| Slava
35, a driver from Belarus |
 |
|
Question: "Would you ever consider emigrating, and if yes,
to which country?"
A: Well, my friend lives in the USA and he keeps telling me: "Come,
you'll live like a man", I tried, but the US embassy wouldn't allow me.
Question: "What should a foreign woman do to be liked by a Russian
man?"
A: Can't say.
Question: “Do Russian people see anything in common with American
people?"
A: I don't know... My friend said Americans are like
children, they are very innocent, don't have any problems in their life.
Question: "Is there anything you have done
so far in your life you feel proud about?"
A: No.
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?"
A: No.
Question: "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."
A: No, I just feel that unfortunately I'm not one
of them :-).
Question: “If you had a chance to make a change
in government policy, what would that be?"
A: Well, you know in Belarus we have a complete
mess in politics. I would lower the taxes, they are too high
in Belarus.
Question: "What sex in Russia is like?"
A: I'm not Kazanova, but from my experience it's
very good. I think
Question: "Is there racism in Russia?"
A: Not really, no.
Question: "Why so many Russian women want to
marry foreign men
and leave their country?"
A: I don't think there are many women like this,
but the reason might be the money. |
Your Comments
Send
us your comments and suggestions and we'll put them on this page.
Also, please, propose the questions you would like us
to ask to Russian people.
|
|
|
|