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Paul-Holmes
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Joined: 12 Apr 2005
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 Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:47 am Post subject: Russian Stereotypes |
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Russian Stereotypes
By Dmitry Paranyushkin / Way to Russia Travel & Business Guides
The way of life in Russia is very simple. Russians love to eat rye bread with herring and drink vodka the same way British drink their 5 o’clock tea. The fashion for fur coats and hats is at all times high and the cold winters are impossible to survive. The university professors have to sell matryoshkas to foreigners, and former teachers work as security guards and loaders. The average salary is $150 per month, but president Putin is still loved by all the nation. Playing balalaika and drinking vodka is their only entertainment and refuge from this hostile world. Especially, in light of the fact that at any moment there can be another explosion set up by the Chechens that will put an end to this miserable existence. The only hope is the children, who are keen fans of the band TaTu and dream of fleeing the country as soon as they are 18. A few dozen people who managed to make some money on the immense oil fields now live in exile, and Russia will soon go back to communism.
Seems like an interesting country, doesn’t it? If you truly believe some of the things above, you urgently need to get a visa and buy a ticket to Russia to make sure you have and adequate perception of reality. Or at least see this unique country before it ceases to exist.
Just to prepare you for the trip, we decided to shed some light on these myths. Hopefully next time there will be fewer people packing their trekking gear instead of the casual clothes and cashing all their credit card money expecting no ATMs next time they travel.
Let’s start with the most practical topic, prices. With Moscow steadily earning the 3rd place the list of the world’s most expensive cities, how can one expect a family to survive on a $150 salary? Yes, these are the official figures, but the majority of Russians get most of their salary in sealed envelopes to save on taxes, so the rumors about total poverty are simply not true. While life in Russia is cheaper than in Europe, it is perhaps even more expensive than in the US. That is unless you live in a small town like Borovichi, have a free apartment from the good old Soviet system, and don’t mind buying your groceries from the market on a regular basis. Besides, most Russians have small private datchas (countryside houses), where they spend summers and grow vegetables and berries. The thing is, if you want the western standard of living, then Moscow or St. Petersburg will come at a high price. However, if you travel to smaller towns, everything is going to be much cheaper.
The fur hats and coats is a total myth. While some Russian women like to wear fur coats in winter, majority of people prefer more practical clothes or simply can’t afford these $2000 coats produced in Greece, actually. Also, if you see somebody wearing a fur hat, there’s a 80% chance he is a foreigner. Sometimes this myth is intensified with the idea that Russians also like to carry rifles, which come handy to kill occasional bears roaming around, but just recently this became an official state secret, so we can’t elaborate.
The fact that there is a big unemployment problem, especially among those who used to work in the public sector, is true. However, things are improving and those who were able to adapt to the new realities usually managed to find a good position that utilizes their potential in full. It’s not 1993 anymore…
The total fear of terrorist acts and all kinds of natural disasters and catastrophes is something that is very often exploited by media. But a simple explanation is that Russia occupies one sixth of the world’s territory and basically, with everything else equal, it is supposed to account for roughly 17% (one sixth) of all disasters in the world. As for the terrorist acts, well, Russia is not more dangerous than any other western country nowadays. Given the state of today’s politics, Russia holds the same risks in this regard as the U.S. or Europe, unfortunately. Just stay away from the “risky” areas, such as Chechnya and it will not affect you in any way.
It is also a popular stereotype that Russians are racist. This is simply not true. While other countries are buried deep in their immigration policies, concerns, and debates, Russia is further relaxing its immigration policy. There are talks that no visas will be needed for EU citizens as soon as 2008, and there are incentives for workers from the neighboring CIS countries to come and work on a legal basis in Russia. In a recent nationwide poll conducted by VTsIOM (the local research agency), only 10% of Russians said they are concerned with immigration issues. In fact, in a country that is a home to so many different nationalities and that was always promoting the idea of being equal irrespective of status or race, racism is simply not possible.
The popular portrayal of Russia as a country that is steadily moving towards economic collapse and authoritarian government is something that might sell well, but is far from reality. The case of Yukos and Khodorkovsky, back tax claims, and other recent events are, of course, alarming, but it is simply a natural stage of the initial capital accumulation. Many capitalist countries went through this, and many democratic societies have rich establishments, while a majority of private property is also distributed among a few people (or families).
Russia is simply repeating the standard path and you can’t expect the total transformation in just 15 years. Two steps forward, one step back, but we’ll get there! Besides, the potential for growth, especially in public sector and hi-tech sectors is impressive and can’t be ignored.
Overall, Russia is a very diverse and interesting country, which has its flaws and gems. The best approach is to be friendly, open-minded, and to preferably come with a lot of money. Try to enjoy the sights, have lots of fun, go to clubs, do a trekking trip in Siberia, get yourself invited for a dinner with a Russian family, and perhaps even invest in some small company that might become a future Microsoft. |
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Zach10791
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Joined: 19 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:52 am Post subject: |
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Wonderfully written essay Dmitry!  And the paper is so true, the Russian way of life is simple and there is also a lot of sterotypes in America about Russians that people actually believe! It's sad actually, I wish are people could understand each other better than we do. I'm sure there are plenty of sterotypes in Russia about us. I think if we all put our differences aside we could learn A LOT from each other! 
Zach |
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Muppet
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Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Russian Stereotypes |
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| Paul Holmes wrote: | Russian Stereotypes
By Dmitry Paranyushkin / Way to Russia Travel & Business Guides
Overall, Russia is a very diverse and interesting country, which has its flaws and gems. The best approach is to be friendly, open-minded, and to preferably come with a lot of money. Try to enjoy the sights, have lots of fun, go to clubs, do a trekking trip in Siberia, get yourself invited for a dinner with a Russian family, and perhaps even invest in some small company that might become a future Microsoft. |
That's the best bit. For the older amongst us raised during the cold war, Russia was the Great Bear waiting to devour us.
Having been there a few times I'd say it's more like Alice through the Looking Glass - Strange, Interesting, maybe Dangerous too, but always Exciting. |
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vitalsigns
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Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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One thing that is missing in the essay is that the small (and some large) cities are still run by local mafias. Yes, mafia still exists although they would not call themselves that way.
On my last trip to where I used to live in Russia I was told that some of the people I used to know were either killed or in jail because they bacame part of the gang. In my hometown the casinos are run by the gang. The chain stores are operated by the gang. The cops are one big gang. If you cross the mafia's path and try to irritate them you will also be either beat or worse. That's the reality. Not that you will notice anything on your first visit. You gotta talk to a lot of people to find out about this. |
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CruisingRam
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Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 32
Location: Anchorage Alaska
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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I was in Kazan for new years in 2003. Lot's of fur hats and fur coats- I have to say, that stereotype fit quite well LOL
I was nearly "toasted" and "roasted" and fed to death during that time- not that it was a bad thing. Lot's of drinking, banyas and feasts LOL
I was about 280 lbs then, so i was able to eat enough to survive the "toasts" and like banyas in Alaska as well, so I lived through the experiance LOL
Any society I visit, regardless of where it is in the world- I like to categorize and try to "figure it out" and "poeple watch"- not in some mean-ness, but in the spirit of enjoying thier culture and noticing what is foriegn TO ME.
Racist? Far less than US IMHO. I mean, I was watching a TV show right around new years, dated to Kruchev's time, where a little black boy and little white girl were singing this song "like milk for coffee, we will be married someday" - pretty liberal compared to the thinking of 1950s US at the time dont ya think? LOL
I like Russia- the worst thing that IS true IMHO- is the corruption that keeps the whole country from exploding in prosperity. If they could do something across the board about that, and allow thier small biz sector to grow- both the EU and US would become second or third behind Russia very quickly.
They have all the elements usually associated with a perfect climate for economic prosperity but one- the corruption/tax issue. Outstanding education, great natural resources etc. |
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Keoki
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Joined: 21 Jan 2005
Posts: 117
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: Russian Stereotypes |
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| Paul Holmes wrote: | | In a recent nationwide poll conducted by VTsIOM (the local research agency), only 10% of Russians said they are concerned with immigration issues. In fact, in a country that is a home to so many different nationalities and that was always promoting the idea of being equal irrespective of status or race, racism is simply not possible. |
Wow - has this Dmitry not been to Russia lately, or is he just totally out of it? For a country where racism is "simply not possible," Russia sure has a lot of it. Racially motivated gang attacks on Caucasian merchants, police harassment of minorities, exchange students being beaten and even killed for the color of their skin... I'm not sure whether the racism is any stronger than in other countries, but it's certainly more socially acceptable than in most. Most languages have their racial slurs, but seldom can they be heard so often in public. |
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MrSpice
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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| This list of stereotypes is obviously not correct, but so is Dmitry's rebuttal of it. Yes, drinking is a major problem in Russia. Not everyone drinks all the time, but it's a country-wide problem that was recognized even in the soviet times. Yes, salaries in St Petersburg and especially Moscow are much higher than 150 dollars for many reasons (concentration of business, commerce and cost of life are some of them). However, the inequality is widespread. Racism in Russia in most cases is not something a foreigner will see right away or feel. In that sense, Russia is no different from other countries. But make sure you don't like you just came from Ayzerbajan - in that case you will be stopped by militia on the streets of moscow quite often and people - if they think you came from the Caucus - will not like you at all. There's a lot xenophobia and dislike of other ethnic groups in the Russian tradition. In private manyh people will state some ethnic stereotypes as if they were true without hesitation. I don't what Russia plans to do with its visa regime by 2008, but at this point its visa policy is restrictive and simply ridiculous by any standard (registration within 3 days, invitation, document checks on the street, etc.) |
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Arkan
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Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Israel
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| Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:50 am Post subject: |
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Im wonder,why did you all not expected racism from russians,after all that image,created by western society?In all your movies(ok,95%)russians shown as big,dumb,mafia-like ppl,that speaks with horrible accent,and drink vodka all day long.It will be quite normal,during cold war,but not now!Hollywood still aspires to maintain this stereotypes in consciousness of the western people.And what about your newspappers?
When last time you red The Wall Street journal, The New York Times, The Guardian and the other?Articles of "Why the bear growls","The myth of stabilty","A guide to the Kremlin:sex,booze,kidnap" and last "masterpiece"
of the french "Le Figaro""Holiday of a disappearing kind-Russian man".American,British,French,German,Italian,Spanish,even Polish editions,as though having agreed, continue to "throw mud" at Russia.And people,in fact,trust them!Many Russian felt coldness and dispassionateness in dialogue with foreigners.And after that all you expected to hear "thanks"from russians? |
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MrSpice
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Arkan wrote: | Im wonder,why did you all not expected racism from russians,after all that image,created by western society?In all your movies(ok,95%)russians shown as big,dumb,mafia-like ppl,that speaks with horrible accent,and drink vodka all day long.It will be quite normal,during cold war,but not now!Hollywood still aspires to maintain this stereotypes in consciousness of the western people.And what about your newspappers?
When last time you red The Wall Street journal, The New York Times, The Guardian and the other?Articles of "Why the bear growls","The myth of stabilty? |
I have read quite a few good and objective articles about Russia in the US Press. What you're saying is nonsense. Since you live in Israel, I assume you're Jewish. Do you think there's no antisemitism in Russia? Is it due to "bad coverage" in the press too? |
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Arkan
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Location: Israel
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| Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:58 am Post subject: |
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Well,first of all,i lived in Russia for 18 years.And i dont deny,that there is
antisemitism in Russia.Other thing that it is called "Jewish Quastion"and
it proceeds more that 100 years.They are part of russian history and it doesnt concern to a theme of conversation.BTW i dont see any nonsense in my post,i didnt take that articles from the sky,they are real ones.You can even google them,if you want.The thing is,that mass media always shows Russia in bad angle.I have met a lots of europeans and americans and they thought, that i came from "Stone Age",where no TVs,PCs,internet,they even thought,that there is lack of food for ppl!
And im really know what im talking about.I'll listen to constructive criticism,if there is place fot it. |
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