Way to Russia Talk Lounge

8250 · Just Starting Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

Hello,

I am new to this site, and let me say that I think it is great.
I have a Russian friend that is teaching me the language.
My friend that is teaching me Russian has been encouraging me to travel there after I learn the language better.
Here is my question:

1) Will people be offended by my bad Russian? She says that must Russians will overlook my mistakes and be enthusiastic that a foreigner is attempting to speak their language.

2) Will people in Russia automatically dislike me because I am American? I am not arrogant and I do not think that America is the best.

I know this post was long sorry about that.

artistic · Just Starting Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

I recently got back from my first trip to Russia. Unfortunately, I knew very little Russian. I was very upset at the lost opportunity to communicate. You will have a GREAT time if you speak Russian.

Russia and Russian people are AWESOME. I was very concerned entering the country, but found them to be generally...neighborly. At least three times a day Russians were asking me for directions...or about a particular landmark. If they spoke some English, they eagerly engaged me in conversation.

If some obnoxious panhandler or drunk got out of line, a simple hand to the face sufficed.

From one American to another....GO!

Natashadln · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:28 am Post subject: welcome moscow

8250

it good you learn speak russian russian peoples like western persons try to speak for under stand culture only if persons have stress will not helping. russian peoples nice even big citie moscow. i think you nice peoples they nice all so i think same all countrie. many time you thinks you silly person and wish stop talk but it is fun trying

good luck

artistic · Just Starting Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 4

I spent one month in Russia with almost no understanding of Russian. This last response from Natasha is typical of my experience in Russia...(very good).

Simple city sense is enough to get by in Russia. Yes, extreme violence is possible, but it is possible in any city in the world...use common sense.

By the way, one month was not enough time for me. I wish I had more time. HAVE FUN!!!!

Aloha,

Scott

8250 · Just Starting Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

Thank you for the kind replies eveyone,

Natasha what did you mean about the stress part?

Kesha · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:44 pm Post subject:

Some will say that Russians do not smile very much....
I seemed to invoke a smile from almost everybody I used my "best Russian" on. Wink

I didn't find anybody who treated me badly because of my nationality.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

I noticed plenty of Russians smiling. But it seems as though so many do not-especially the men. My friends over there all smile. I smile all the time and have since I was a small child...smiles are contageous and we can usually tell the genuine from the fake ones. : Cool

)

Miami · WayToRussified Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 332

Don't worry 8250!

Salamangkero · Just Starting Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 2

As the Nike-ans would say..."Just Do It!" Learning the language would be good but don't spend too much time with it. Learning it from the locals would be fun anyway!