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Russian People
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Eeves
Just Starting


Joined: 04 Nov 2005
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:42 am    Post subject: Russian People Reply with quote

how do the russian people respond to western people, particularly americans? i understand that there is alot of scandeling that goes on to travelers, it makes me wonder if russia would really be a destination that i could safely travel to. comments please
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Kesha
Talk Show Host


Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 258
Location: Terrapin Station

PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've been to Russia four times & Ukraine once....I was never treated badly because of my nationality (I'm American).
Honestly, I found that most people were rather polite, helpful and interested when they realized I wasn't Russian.
Of course there are jerks in every town across the world...no avoiding that, and you'll meet some there just as you will in America, Cyprus or Dominican Republic.
As far as safety goes...there seems to be a debate about that here.
I never had any trouble.....had a very large time (every time), so my advice is to read a lot so you'll have some idea on things to be aware of, use street sense & you should be fine.
If you have the opportunity and any desire at all to go, I'd HIGHLY recommend you go for it!
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nigelinleeds
Lounge Lizard


Joined: 21 Jun 2005
Posts: 108

PostPosted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 3:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I.ve been three times. I think Russians are the same as any other race, ie. there are good and bad, you are more likely to be made welcome where a westerner is more unusual. Make the effort to be polite, learn please and thank you, if you are lucky enough to be invited into a Rusian home you will find a people willing to show you the best of humanity.
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Derryman
Just Starting


Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 9
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:47 pm    Post subject: People in Russia and Ukraine. Reply with quote

I've been to Russia a few times and Ukraine as well. I found most of the people to be very polite and quite helpful. I consider them to be very patient people and I think that patience is almost a part of the culture in that part of the world.

Of course there are rude and obnoxious people everywhere in the world but I hardly came accross any unhelpful and unfriendly people in Russia and Ukraine. I must say that I really did enjoy my travels there.
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mediashark
Moderator


Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

most people will be more patient and friendly towards a foreigner, if you are just as polite and considerate. after all you are a guest in their country. if you will act like a polite guest, they will act like a kind host. they are human like you, after all.

of course then again mean and rude people will be here and there... best to ignore them and not lose your cool if you have to deal with them. remember that russians are often treated the same way by mean folks.

these 'scandals' have been left far behind in the cold war. relax.
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Eeves: In large cities like St Petersburg and Moscow - especially in the summer - there are lots of foreign tourists. What I noticed when I visited Russian last summer was that no one really cares about you. In the old times, some people looked up to foreigners, some would look at them with interest, etc. Now, no one cares. In other words, when you down the main avenue in St Petersburg (Nevsky), it will be like taking a walk in any large city in the Europe. I heard that some foreigners complain that Russians at times come off as not very friendly and that they rarely smile. Americans are the ones who notice it more often since in the US - especially in the rural areas - it's perfectly normal to smile at everyone who goes by and say "How are you" Russians are more reserved and don't smile unless there's a reason for it. That does not mean they are unfriendly. It's just a cultural difference that may be confused for unfriendliness. I think if you stick to the center of the city, you will be fine. I think you will really enjoy travelling to Russia, especially to my beloved St Petersburg.
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MrSpice wrote:
...especially to my beloved St Petersburg.


What made you leave it?


Eeves one american after traveling many times alone and with groups to Russia told me this: It can be either one of the best or one of the worst experiences. For instance you either like russian food, or you hate it. You either enjoy cultural differences or you will start resenting them.

I think it will be just as much about how you perceive circumstances and how you relate to people yourself as it is about the cultural differences and so forth.
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

vitalsigns: Do I have to explain to you why people like me left Russian and immigated to the US? There are about 100 reasons. That would be a long thread...
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Fire_Goddess
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MrSpice wrote:
vitalsigns: Do I have to explain to you why people like me left Russian and immigated to the US? There are about 100 reasons. That would be a long thread...


Yeah you wussed out and ran to the USA Laughing see I summed it up for you!
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MrSpice wrote:
vitalsigns: Do I have to explain to you why people like me left Russian and immigated to the US? There are about 100 reasons. That would be a long thread...


Oh, ok. I thought maybe there was one major reason why you left. I came to study for one year and here I am 8 years later still living here.
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Fire_Goddess
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

vitalsigns wrote:
MrSpice wrote:
vitalsigns: Do I have to explain to you why people like me left Russian and immigated to the US? There are about 100 reasons. That would be a long thread...


Oh, ok. I thought maybe there was one major reason why you left. I came to study for one year and here I am 8 years later still living here.


Laughing
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vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784

PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fire_Goddess wrote:
vitalsigns wrote:
MrSpice wrote:
vitalsigns: Do I have to explain to you why people like me left Russian and immigated to the US? There are about 100 reasons. That would be a long thread...


Oh, ok. I thought maybe there was one major reason why you left. I came to study for one year and here I am 8 years later still living here.


Laughing


I didn't realise I was that successful at making people laugh.
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Fire_Goddess
Guest





PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vital signs im laughing because you so simply typed your reason for being here, yet mrspice or should I say MrPMS seems to always want to give a hard ass time about most things.
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard


Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431

PostPosted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vitalsigns: She laughs at everything. You say "hello", she will respond with 5 LOLs, 10 questions marks and several exclamation points.

Fire_Goddess: Something tells me you have been to very few countries on this planet and know very little about the world. I wouldn't be surprised if you have not been anywhere except Mexico and the US. So please keep quiet when you know nothing about the issues being discussed. I understand that you are very bored and stumbled upon this forum, probably by chance, that provides you with the opportunity to kill some time and express your half-baked opinions. But since you know very little about Russia, about immigration and about pretty much everything else, what is the poing of saying anything? Based on the fact that you repeatedly missspell the basic words of the English language (and this is your native language and you're 24), I wouldn't expect you to have any decent education either. It's not too late. You should start that process now when those endless LOLs look silly. They will start looking ridiculous in 5-10 days.

As far as the reason for immigrating to the US: In 1995 when I left Russia, the country was very ppor. The unemployment was huge. The country was in total disarray. There were very few opportunities for people to succeed or apply themselves in any way. Most young people felt that they had no future there. I have always wanted to come to the US and live here for the same reasons so many immigrants came here in the last 2 centuries: freedom and opportunity. And this country did not disappoint me - I was able to get a good education, have worked at some of the best companies in the industry (and still do).
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Fire_Goddess
Guest





PostPosted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You dont know where ive been, so I suggest you close your hole! As for my typos and misspellings they are direct result of chat room usage, which im sure people who use chat rooms know what I mean. I am not wrong about you, you are a WUSS. You whine like a bitch, and you feel the need to act like a jerk. Vital signs asked you in a decent way, and you behaved like a jackass. And yes ill laugh at just about anything, if you have a problem with that, then thats just too damn bad, get over it!
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