Way to Russia Community and Forum

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

I'm as American as one can get and I think about Russia and Russians. Of course that is because I am interested, but does the average American think about Russia? No they are too busy living thier lives. But if you ask them, I'm sure they will give an opinion. Obviously we think about Russia or we wouldn't be on this forum.

5_Zvehzda · Just Starting Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 1

I think about Russia almost every other day – but only based on the experience travelling there as a visitor. There were both pleasantries and unpleasantness, which goes with the territory in the wide world of travel. But my experience of actually living in other countries is quite a different matter . . .

One thing is for certain - there isn't a single American I've spoken with who has ever had the 'Are bears roaming the streets of Russia?' impression. Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble, but this stereotype of Americans' view of Russia is total and complete BUNK, IMHO.

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

Retiring...

twicker · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:33 pm Post subject: Interesting ...

So, here's a question, since I'm relatively new here:

My original post was an attempt (however lame) to answer the actual question, which I figured was the point of the thread:

Namely, what do Americans think about Russians?

My thinking was that, if more folks from Russia come onto this forum, they might see this thread and look for answers to that question.

Included in my post was a point that I think gets lost in the conversation between the two great nations: namely, that, while Russians get a lot of information (some good, some bad) about America, and, thus, have a pretty good chance of having a nuanced view of Americans, Americans get very little information about Russia, and don't spend the time thinking aobut Russia to have a nuanced view.

Admittedly, I didn't explicitly express the importance of the nuancing, and maybe I should have. However, that *was* my intent: most Americans just don't think about Russia, so Russians are likely to encounter extremely uninformed information about Russia if they talk to Americans.

To answer surfguy, sure -- Americans have opinions. They just don't tend to be based on the reality of Russia, because, from America's perspective, those opinions do not have much information behind them. Pretty much anybody will have *some* opinion about pretty much anything; doesn't mean the thinking will be solid. And, while you can't go a day without seeing Iraq, Iran, now Israel/Lebanon, etc. in the news, and you can't go a week without seeing a few articles about China or India, you can go a month or more without seeing anything about Russia.

Me, I listen to NPR, the BBC, and I read Foreign Affairs and The Economist. I checked the current Economist, just for kicks and giggles:
China -- check.
India -- check.
Iraq -- check.
Iran -- check.
Russia -- not a word (except maybe with what it's doing with Iran)

Any understanding of how Americans think of Russia needs, IMO, to take this into account. My friend Masha, for example, relates that she became extremely tired of people being shocked at her accent, and asking silly questions about Russia. However, it's going to be something that a Russian, again in my opinion, should be prepared for -- because we just don't know that much about the country. Where Masha said she learned about all the major US holidays when she was in school, a year ago I couldn't have told you about a single Russian holiday (since then, I was *in* russia for 9 May -- K-dar, as a matter of fact, Vsign).

And, lastly, to V-sign: I understand -- *completely* -- that you're upset about the stereotype that Russia is worse than everywhere else, or that the US is just so great in so many ways and there's nothing bad here. And I'm about to give you some responses in some of the other threads, because that part of the discussion is becoming more and more widespread on these boards. However, I'm curious: the fact that poverty exists in the US -- what does that have to do with answering a Russian's question about how Americans see Russia? Seems fairly off-topic to me. Again: not that it's not important (it is), but just off-topic.

Oh, well ... onward and upward. Poka!

jo-jo-7 · Just Starting Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 6

I just want to comment that as a American woman I think Russians are wonderful people and the Russain women should be lucky to be married to a Russian man. I would leave the U.S. and move to Russia if I could find a man that let me stay home and keep a house.

Don't take it the wrong way but I am proud of my country but some of these American men need to learn something from these Russian men on how to treat a woman, learn some manners and be more assertive like to Russian men.

Russian women are the Lucky Ones!!!!!!! Wink

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

I'd move to russia too if I could find a woman who would let me stay home and take care of the house. I trest women very well and I'm American

Triggar · Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 13

I'm an American who has been in Russia for only two days, so my experience is quite limited, BUT

I think Russian people are a whole different breed. They speak what they want, go where they want, but are some of the friendliest people in the world. They are more community-oriented than people are in most of the other cities I have visited in the world. For example, in New York or London, it would seem normal to be able to grab a book and go to a cafe by yourself, but in Russia I get the impression that would never fly.

exportautos · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:44 pm Post subject:

Having done business with many people in Russia, I find Russians to be honest and hard working people. I live in Toronto and have relationships with several Russians who live here and they are good people. My business is the export of North American vehicles overseas and the largest market I deal with is Russia. My expertise is in the luxury and armored vehicle markets and I have made great contacts in Russia over the past 10 years with people who are eager to share their knowledge with me. I think this is mostly because of the savings I provide and trust built through successful transactions; but generally I get the sense that Russian people are friendly and willing to work hard in order to make a good living for themselves. Which I can appreciate greatly!

If you work in or know anyone who works in the auto sales industry, please feel free to contact me directly at 1 905 265 8578 extension #21 or via email at will@carcompanyofcanada.com

I would be happy to discuss the benefits of doing business with The Car Company of Canada. Our extensive North American network enables us to locate the right vehicle(s) for you at the best prices. We also arrange timely and reliable shipping to the destination of your choice.

I look forward to hearing from you,
Best regards,

Xela · VIP Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 781 Location: Shanghai

PhillipFromTexas · Frequent Guest Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 49

Wait! I have to hear from jo jo 7! What do American men need to learn? Tell me. How should we treat women? What manners should we know? And in what way do we need to be more assertive? Tell me. I am begging to know.

Poka

conflicted

danbrew · Just Starting Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 9

wow, what a great question. i guess i'd have to say that you miss out on a huge part of life if you don't take the time to get to know other people. as Ewen Mcgregor said in "The Long Way Around" (a tale of two englishmen who traveled acround the world on their motorbikes), "People around the world are all pretty much alike - they want to be happy and to create a good life for their kids."

That's pretty much how I feel.

It's quite common to hear somebody say "those Americans do this or that" or "those Russian do this or that" or "those Iranians...", but you know what? I've met a lot of people around the world and very few of them agreed 100% with the national policies of their country. Do you think the average Russian wanted to kill every man, woman, and child in the US during the cold war? Certainly not. Do you think that the average American wants to kill every Iraqi? Certainly not. The thing that is interesting about it is if you asked a non-American what he thought about Americans in general, he'd probably tell you that we're a violent society, we want to enforce our will upon the world, etc. But if you asked that same guy what he thought about Dan he'd probably say something completely different. I've got no beef with the world and don't want to pick a fight with anybody. I'd bet you find the same with the average Ivan on the street in Russia too.

I don't really like politicians... and wonder what the world would be like without them.

Very Happy

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

MrSpice · Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3431

I would like to add that very few Americans agree with the policiies of our president now. In fact, the congress and senate got new leadership this time around, and Bush's approval ratings are in the low 30s.

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

Only history will judge and there seems to be and has been a anti Bush and Iraq war bias from the medium. But just watch-if the dems get into office there will not be a difference in policy...we will still be in Iraq...Why? Because it's in our National Interest both economically, and militarilly, and out of defense against terrorism. It was already stated that the Iraqi oil will not fall into the hands of any other controlling entity....Bush stated this and that's not just his policy but US policy. Keep in mind that regime change in Iraq was not only Bush policy...it was also the clinton administration policy. So these interest carry on from one administration to the next. We will be in Iraq for a long time to come. Ratings or no ratings...we can have any jack ass in office...things won't change

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